Lexus has trademarked LM 350 & LM 300h in the USA, making for two unexpected nameplates and a fun game guessing their significance.
The L model designation is reserved for the top end of the Lexus lineup (think LS, LC, and LX), and the LM nameplate could be the perfect fit for the production model of the recent LF-1 Limitless crossover concept. However, there are a couple issues:
- The 350 & 300h engine designations would mark a dramatic departure in Lexus flagship powertrain options, as no Luxury model has ever been offered with a gas-only V6 in North America or a four-cylinder hybrid in any country.
- Just last month, Lexus trademarked the LQ nameplate, presumably also an option for the LF-1 production model.
Website Kaizen Factor, who found these trademarks originally, have hypothesized that the M part of LM could be for “Multipurpose”. This would fit well with the LF-1 crossover, and it’s as good a guess as any.
One left field option could be “Mini”, as in Luxury Mini, and be the production nameplate for the LF-SA city car concept — in fact, this is a direct quote from the Lexus Europe website:
The LF-SA Concept explores a future in which Lexus drivers will still be able to enjoy the ‘luxury’ of getting behind a wheel and driving themselves, whilst enjoying the ultimate in on-board connectivity, infotainment and safety.
This idea is funnier than most, as it would mean Lexus putting a 300+ horsepower V6 into a car of this size:
For those wanting details, both the LM 300h (trademark Serial Number 87958305) and LM 350 (Serial Number 87958281) were filed for “automobiles and structural parts thereof” on June 12, 2018.
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