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
Deusex
Say what? where is new LX and GX? what the hell is Lexus thinking?
The 4th-gen LX is expected to enter production a bit over a year from now (summer 2020) for a 2021 model year debut.

The wait for 3rd-gen GX, on the other hand, could be significantly longer. We should expect some sort of refresh for the current 2nd-gen model this fall (2020 model year), but estimates for the debut date of the 3rd-gen GX vary wildly. It should be no earlier than autumn 2022 (2023 model year) and could be as late as the 1st quarter of 2024 (!)
Gecko
I'm not sure that is true. GX and LX are both notorious cash cows for Lexus being based on the Land Cruiser 150 and 200 platforms. Lexus has been quoted as using the term "printing money" in relation to the GX specifically.

Profitability of this thing will depend on how much of a rebadge it is.
Actually, LX is actually selling really good for them overall... GX sells well only in the USA, hence less development seen vs LX.

But LX is a real deal overall, it sells similar numbers to GL, which is considerably cheaper to start with worldwide.
ydooby
For what's supposed to be an all-new model for Lexus they had better not simply slap a Lexus badge onto the existing Alphard. I would not be terribly surprised but simply terribly disappointed if Lexus does take the cheapo route instead of properly designing a new vehicle with the TNGA platform.
and when exactly did they do that? If they base on it Alphard, it will likely get unique interior/exterior like NX did vs Rav4.
spwolf
Actually, LX is actually selling really good for them overall... GX sells well only in the USA, hence less development seen vs LX.

But LX is a real deal overall, it sells similar numbers to GL, which is considerably cheaper to start with worldwide.
Yes I am aware of this, thus my comment.
Gecko
Profitability of this thing will depend on how much of a rebadge it is.
ydooby
I would not be terribly surprised but simply terribly disappointed if Lexus does take the cheapo route instead of properly designing a new vehicle with the TNGA platform.
There is little incentive for them to jump to TNGA considering the only purpose of this model is to print money. The Alphard already is the best luxury minivan, period. The Alphard is relatively new and got its facelift last year with updated powertrains and interior. They cannot improve its competitiveness any further because there is no competitor.

We have to understand why the LM exists. This thing is targeted at the chinese market specifically, where the Alphard is a Veblen good: a luxury item that gets more popular the more expensive it gets. It reached that status because it is the best luxury minivan by a long shot. In JDM it costs between $35-55k (although there is a $150k special trim for VIP transport), but in China the MSRP is $120k and the average transaction price is $170k. Dealership add huge markups on them due to huge demand and limited supply. People who buy an Alphard would never compare it to a Mercedes V-Class, a Buick GL8 Avenir, or a Nissan Quest; they cross-shop it against Mercedes S-Class Maybach, Maserati Ghibli, and entry-level Bentleys, in which case $170k is a bargain. Even at such ridiculous prices they sold over one thousand of these a month, more than the LS, LX, and LC combined.

The LM will be the profit maximization machine for them, so they will do whatever they can to reduce costs. They could already command a ridiculous premium without a TNGA update because it is already the best. Let's just forget this stupidity and look at the bright side: it will be so profitable that it will pay for R&D for all their F models in the future.
Joaquin Ruhi
The 4th-gen LX is expected to enter production a bit over a year from now (summer 2020) for a 2021 model year debut.

The wait for 3rd-gen GX, on the other hand, could be significantly longer. We should expect some sort of refresh for the current 2nd-gen model this fall (2020 model year), but estimates for the debut date of the 3rd-gen GX vary wildly. It should be no earlier than autumn 2022 (2023 model year) and could be as late as the 1st quarter of 2024 (!)
What a joke. 2024? That's essentially a 14-15 year life cycle. I haven't heard of anything that long bar the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen and the Land Rover Defender. The Toyota Tundra (once it gets released in 2020) has a 1 year shorter cycle. Insane.
Yes please! These luxury vans are an alternative to limos in asia. Who wouldn't like a fully reclined business class lounge with all the bells and whistles and still have enough space for the assistant in the front seat?
F1 Silver Arrows
What a joke. 2024? That's essentially a 14-15 year life cycle. I haven't heard of anything that long bar the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen and the Land Rover Defender. The Toyota Tundra (once it gets released in 2020) has a 1 year shorter cycle. Insane.
Yes, but that's what they are ridiculously doing. I said as late as Q1 2024, because of staggered launch. The current J150 was launched in January 2010 as a 2010 model, just like LS 500 in January 2018 in Japan and US February 2018 as a 2018 model.

In fact, someone just gave a claim that the 2020 RX arrives in August 2019 and GX in September 2019. Something tells me they could be credible...at least this time. The fact that not just one model was mentioned, but two of them makes me believe them somewhat.

Unfortunately take everything with a grain of salt, because just like the Prado situation 2 years ago, I heard about a GX facelift coming early 2018, I assumed it extended to the US market 4Runner and let some Toyota affiliated engineers mislead me on that, despite them not even having direct access to the N280 life-cycle clearly.

I feel very stupid for that, as it's quite an embarrassment and hurt my credibility.:pensive: Anyway, I am very confident that the GX is definitely getting another facelift this year. Weirdly enough, maybe that annoying tidbit I dismissed about a 2021 4Runner change up, has some validity. But why deviate from the 150-Series set? All are built in Japan, so it doesn't make sense how in late 2017 Prado got a refresh, then GX in late summer 2019, then 4Runner only gets some safety tech for MY 2020? I digress.
When it comes to GX, the people I know with good information laugh at the term "refresh" and put it in air quotes. I think it will be similar to 4Runner - just a tech addition (bigger screen, Android Auto, CarPlay, Alexa) with possibly no sheetmetal change whatsoever.

Anyway, back to the minivan.
I like Road Show by CNet's commentary on the Lexus Enthusiast "Minivan at Shanghai" news story:

Lexus rumored to be readying a luxury minivan for Shanghai, report says
Minivans are big business in SE Asia, so could Lexus be looking to get in on that game with a fancy people-mover of its own?
BY KYLE HYATT
MARCH 29, 2019

Here in the US, the minivan has started to fall by the wayside, relegated to its place in history as the butt of lazy jokes, as the SUV becomes the de facto family hauler. In China, however, that's not the case.

That's why when Lexus announced that it would be debuting a new vehicle at the Shanghai Auto Show next month, it got some folks thinking that rather than a new RX or GX, maybe it would be a real deal, no B.S. luxury Lexus minivan.

No, wait, stop laughing. We're serious.

The folks over at Lexus Enthusiast convinced us. See, not long after the brand made its teaser announcement for Shanghai, the Lexus Taiwan Facebook page posted some cryptic text talking about "Luxury of personal space" and so on, language which -- as Lexus Enthusiast points out -- is regularly used to sell minivans in Southeast Asia.

It's like the people of China and SE Asia saw Get Shorty back in 1995 and took the whole idea of "Cadillac of minivans" thing to heart. The boxy people-conveyers aren't just sold to harried parents there, they are seen as real luxury vehicles for people with means and taste.

This idea of a Lexus minivan makes even more sense when you consider the fact that Toyota has intimated that we could see a brand new Sienna on a new platform by 2021. An announcement of a new luxury van now means that its release could coincide with that refresh.

Obviously, this is all a bunch of wild, tinfoil hat-wearing, bicycle conversation in A Scanner Darkly-style crazy speculation, but wouldn't it be kind of cool?

Lexus didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/lexus-minivan-shanghai-auto-show-rumor/
ssun30
The Alphard already is the best luxury minivan, period. The Alphard is relatively new and got its facelift last year with updated powertrains and interior. They cannot improve its competitiveness any further because there is no competitor.....
keep in mind there are still ways to improve Alphard, even if competition doesnt have anything better... Lexus should be way nicer.

F1 Silver Arrows
What a joke. 2024? That's essentially a 14-15 year life cycle. I haven't heard of anything that long bar the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen and the Land Rover Defender. The Toyota Tundra (once it gets released in 2020) has a 1 year shorter cycle. Insane.
You forgot the Mitsubishi Pajero.
Levi
You forgot the Mitsubishi Pajero.
And almost every other Mitsubishis currently on sale, also certain Nissans, coincidentally both of them are now partners.
Levi
You forgot the Mitsubishi Pajero.
Toyota is not Mitsubishi by any means, at least for now

But with they stubborn late future schedule and keep postponing everything they may face the same fate

Tundra
Seqouia
Land cruiser 200
LX
Prado
GX
4 Runner
GS
Mark X

All with 10+ years and they need every single car in this list
This has got to be the ugliest front end ever. Looks like a bloated Cadillac grill.
Mr. Pontiac
This has got to be the ugliest front end ever. Looks like a bloated Cadillac grill.
Even Cadillac never fell this low and we haven’t seen what a mess the spindle grill could add. If it’s not real careful, Lexus could come out of this with a blow to its style/performance image so carefully cultivated over the last decade.
GSCT
Even Cadillac never fell this low and we haven’t seen what a mess the spindle grill could add. If it’s not real careful, Lexus could come out of this with a blow to its style/performance image so carefully cultivated over the last decade.
So Lexus China should not offer a minivan that Chinese people want to buy, because you in USA or me in Europe think minivans are not cool?
spwolf
So Lexus China should not offer a minivan that Chinese people want to buy, because you in USA or me in Europe think minivans are not cool?
Well, I know it sounds arrogant, but basically yes. I can’t imagine we will ever see a BMW or Audi minivan.
GSCT
Well, I know it sounds arrogant, but basically yes. I can’t imagine we will ever see a BMW or Audi minivan.
There has been bmw minivan for years, as well as MB minivan.
I agree to this broaden your horizon.
spwolf
So Lexus China should not offer a minivan that Chinese people want to buy, because you in USA or me in Europe think minivans are not cool?
Never heard about MB B or V? Maybe BMW 2? I think they're ugly but Germans like them.
GSCT
Well, I know it sounds arrogant, but basically yes. I can’t imagine we will ever see a BMW or Audi minivan.
MB V is Basically Vito with seats. You can't see if it is a workhorse or luxury mini van.
View attachment 3209 View attachment 3210
GSCT
Even Cadillac never fell this low and we haven’t seen what a mess the spindle grill could add. If it’s not real careful, Lexus could come out of this with a blow to its style/performance image so carefully cultivated over the last decade.
Spare the dramatics. I've seen this type of post too many times already and its quite old.
New Lexus Minivan Could Look Like This If Based On Toyota’s Alphard
https://www.carscoops.com/2019/04/n...d-look-like-this-if-based-on-toyotas-alphard/


Motor
Would they use sharkfin? It's kinda Toyota's trademark.
It will sell like hot cakes in Asian markets
It has a very shine future in china
I don't know what to say about that grille...
Guys , still rendering
Wait for the real deal !!!

M