Introducing the Lexus LM Luxury Minivan


The Lexus LM minivan has debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show, and it’s a masterclass in luxury. Let’s start with the first wave of official information and photos both inside and out.


Lexus LM Interior

Soon to be available in China and select Asian markets, the Lexus LM seeks to meet the needs of the modern, driven, always on-the-go professionals who view their luxury vehicle as more than mere transportation.

Compared to traditional luxury vehicles, Lexus envisions a luxury environment creating a personal space that helps occupants perform better in business and also maximizes time when on the move.

Lexus LM Interior

Designed as an ultimate comfort space, the rear cabin features a 26” color display, a refrigerator, umbrella storage, and center console with touch control panel. The panel controls the seat position, relaxation function, climate control and audio for the rear private space.

Signature Styling

The LM’s exterior is defined by the Lexus spindle grille, and chrome accentuation of the side body. The center pillar is adorned with dual arrowhead chrome ornamentation that enhances the vehicle’s side-view and hints to its premium nature. The grille is chrome plated with flowing accents that help create the sense of dynamism necessary to distinguish this vehicle. Two exterior color options are available for the LM: Black and White Pearl Crystal Shine.

Lexus LM Side

Unique headlamps integrate the distinctive arrowhead shape of Lexus daytime running lamps, and offer composite projection beams that involve low beam and high beam operations. In addition, the rear LED lamps inspired by the Lexus new design signature use a wide lens spanning the entire rear width of the LM and offering a sense of presence.

Lexus LM Rear

Exceptional Ride Comfort

The LM’s suspension incorporates swing valve shock absorber technology as well as optimal turning to provide exceptional comfort for driver and passengers. Swing valve shock absorbers were introduced as a world-first on the Lexus ES to enhance the excellent ride comfort.

Expertly Crafted Details

Beginning with the renowned utility and comfort of an MPV, Lexus helps define this segment’s luxury class by offering a choice of optimized interior configurations. The unique configurations seek to create a unique luxury space for their owners while making a statement about their lifestyle. Expertly crafted details such as leather wrapped surfaces and stitched panels create an interior with a premium feel.

Lexus LM Seats

Newly-developed Gin-Sui-Boku (Silver Ink) ornamentation inspired by the art of ink wash painting adorns the interior giving it a distinctive appeal.

Four-Seat Format

The opulent four-seat configuration of the LM is suited to the chauffeured needs of the urban, business focused professional as it provides a relaxing, private environment that supports their business mission.

Lexus LM Reclining

The rear seats are designed for their occupants to relax in a very soothing space. The reclining angle was carefully designed for optimum relaxation, and the position of the occupant’s face relative to the window. The seats rely on plush low-density urethane foam that offers ideal support with couch-like comfort.

Lexus Interior Business

This package aims to maximize the sense of space afforded by this configuration, relying on the high ceiling and width to create a sense of peace from the spaciousness afforded. These seats are also cooled using suction ventilation that draws air through the seat surface to enhance comfort.

Seven-Seat Format

The LM is also available in a seven-seat configuration. This layout offers two separate luxury bucket seats for the first two rows and a third rear row of three seats across, finished in leather seat covering. The seats of the center row are distinguished by larger, more supportive armrests. This seven-seat configuration of the LM is ideally suited for business professionals who also intend to use the vehicle for family duty transportation.

Available Drivetrains

The Lexus LM will be offered in two models (LM 350 and LM 300h) and two drive types (front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive). Availability will vary by market. The LM 350 uses a 3.5-liter DOHC petrol engine and LM 300h leverages the 2.5-liter Atkinson four-cylinder engine and hybrid system.

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Comments
Considering Lexus' recent approach to product lifecycles, I have no real faith in a short window for the 1st gen LM... but lets hope this thing shapes up to be a success and something worthy of wearing the Lexus "L_" flagship designation.
  • Joe
    Joe
  • April 10, 2019
Gecko
Considering Lexus' recent approach to product lifecycles, I have no real faith in a short window for the 1st gen LM... but lets hope this thing shapes up to be a success and something worthy of wearing the Lexus "L_" flagship designation.
Or at least that it generates the necessary profit to push Lexus in 'fast forward' in developing a better model range to compete better in Europe against the other luxury brands (i.e. multiple hp versions of HEV, add PHEV and BEV in the range, add more F-models for the sake of brand image etc...)
I assume there's going to be an F Sport trim? Anyway, the 2018 TRD Alphard/Vellfire looks sharp.

Motor
I assume there's going to be an F Sport trim? Anyway, the 2018 TRD Alphard/Vellfire looks sharp.
That's an excellent question, and a possibility that hadn't even crossed my mind. I suppose it depends mostly on the take rate of F Sport packages in China (LM's primary market). I have no idea what that would be. Perhaps forum members more knowledgeable about the Chinese market (such as @ssun30 and @shizhi ) have thoughts to share about this.
ssun30
More like they waited too long on the LM so now it's an awkward time to launch it. They should have green-lit the vehicle right after the Alphard proved to be a tremendous success in China, but hindsight is 20/20. Three years ago nobody really knew the Alphard would go viral and outsell all luxury sedans sans the S-Class in 2019, its success was entirely a coincidence.

2018 would be a perfect moment together with the Alphard facelift so it is a year too late. I'm not that concerned since the LM is badge-engineered anyway so I wouldn't be surprised if the 1st-gen has a very short life cycle. There is no incentive for them to keep producing the LM on an old platform when the entire Alphard line switches to TNGA. The cost to maintain the old line may not be worth it.
Well, it wasn't really a coincidence - they have been purposely building those top end Alphard trims with crazy interiors for 10+ years now. They always did cost a lot of money, even in Japan, and obviously them expanding it more and more means people are buying it.

btw, how many units did Alphard sell in China?
Shields up!!! lol
All a bit confusing but I do believe there is a market for a vehicle of this type, perhaps not everywhere but I see Asia and Africa as very possible destinations for success.
I am disappointed in that it really is just a Alphard in a dress suit and therefore may lack some authenticity of being a unique luxury Lexus.
Toyota I believe rather underrates their strength of brand many people worldwide hold Toyota in very high esteem and quite rightly so and therefore do they need a Lexus model to cover the whole range?
I would like more uniqueness like the LS is so definitely a Lexus. Something to ponder on, I guess Toyota must know what they need for maximum penetration of their market.
mikeavelli
Shields up!!! lol
It's a lot worse on CL. I've showed my support for the LM on CL but there's only like two of us that like the LM and obviously the whole CL community dislikes the LM...
It’s weird I feel like the last few cars Lexus has come out with I’ve been super excited about and honestly I really don’t care about this like at all. Maybe it’s just cause I don’t care about these segment of cars or maybe just desperate to see new IS, GS (yes I know it’s soon to be dead), LCF, LSF, LQ or whatever the new SUV that I can’t remember is at the moment. Idk just weird to not be excited about something Lexus. I mean I loved the Yacht! Anyone else feel the same way? Not trying to troll anyone that is excited just kinda eh about it.
Ian Schmidt
I'm gonna pull out one of my least-favorite social media-isms here because it fits: The *clap* LM *clap* isn't *clap* for *clap* us *clap* it's *clap* for *clap* Asia.
:joy: Lovely response.
So it’s about time I threw my 2 pence in as I have quite a bit to say here.

First of all I loved the first gen Alphard and it’s growing quite a following here in Scotland too, seeing as we can import vehicles from Japan being RHD too and without import year restrictions.

I always did wonder how a Lexus minivan would look considering the Alphard is truly next level luxury.

So it’s came as a total disappointment to see that after the remote possibility became a reality in the LM, that Lexus have went for a badge engineering job. It’s going to literally be an Alphard with new wings and bumper and maybe a slightly altered rear light cluster.

Now personally I thought Lexus’s days of doing this yawn-worthy exercise were well and truly over.

It still pains me to see the LX, a mess of a Land Cruiser with some bits tacked on to try and make it a Lexus, is still out there trying to justify itself against totally unique SUVs for the same money. Certainly the LF-1 will cure this but how long has that been in the making? Lexus still not having a contender in this field that’s truly a ground up Lexus IS embarrassing especially when you consider just how popular it is.

Back to the LM, my only thought is that just like other manufacturers in China, Lexus see this is a car that other markets best not see. Other comparison are the 20 year old VW models that get a slightly new Fascia and are sold to China, India, Mexico etc as new cars - despite being ancient.

Obviously this LM/Alphard isn’t ancient as such, but it certainly isn’t anything new. It’s a cynical cash in and I think Lexus are better than that. A ground up developed LM sold in more than just China is far more admirable.
Rob Grieveson
Toyota I believe rather underrates their strength of brand many people worldwide hold Toyota in very high esteem and quite rightly so and therefore do they need a Lexus model to cover the whole range?
You could ask that about Lexus itself, period. It's basically a workaround for US consumer attitudes; they didn't *need* to launch it in Europe, Japan or Asia, but they did anyway.
Rydo
It still pains me to see the LX, a mess of a Land Cruiser with some bits tacked on to try and make it a Lexus, is still out there trying to justify itself against totally unique SUVs for the same money. Certainly the LF-1 will cure this but how long has that been in the making? Lexus still not having a contender in this field that’s truly a ground up Lexus IS embarrassing especially when you consider just how popular it is.
In the full-size lux SUV space it seems like there's no rhyme or reason to what sells. The G-Wagen sold for decades more or less unchanged (as have the LX and GX), even people who've never heard of "badge engineering" can tell the Escalade is a Suburban and the Navigator is an Expedition, and Land Rover sells plenty even though they seemingly all break down about 5 miles off the dealer lot.

Obviously this LM/Alphard isn’t ancient as such, but it certainly isn’t anything new. It’s a cynical cash in and I think Lexus are better than that. A ground up developed LM sold in more than just China is far more admirable.
We know Lexus is pretty busy for the 2021 and 2022 model years already. What would you have them cut to make a true bespoke LM? Because I can almost guarantee the bean counters would go for the TTV8 and LS F/LC F first.

An unrivalled chauffeured experience. Introducing the Lexus LM, available soon in select Asian markets.
https://discoverlexus.com/models/premieres/lm

K