Lexus LM, uber-luxurious seven-seater MPV, launched in SG
07 Oct 2023|71,067 views
Flagship sedans, or flagship SUVs? Those are all too common.
Charting a new path for the brand in Singapore, Lexus has instead launched something different in Singapore: A flagship MPV, in the form of the all-new Lexus LM.
The car was unveiled to members of the media on 6 October 2023 right next to Lexus Singapore's VIP Lounge - a new private suite designed to elevate the customer experience in the showroom - and even saw its Chief Engineer, Mr. Takami Yokoo, gracing the event and hosting a mini Q&A session.
Initially conceptualised to meet demand for chauffeur-driven MPVs in China and other parts of Asia, the LM is unambiguous about its identity and purpose - and this starts right from its name, which abbreviates the term 'Luxury Mover'. Despite being new to Singapore, this is also actually already the second generation of the LM, which is now getting a far wider release (Europe is getting the model for the first time too).
With its 2023 debut, the all-new LM carries Lexus' current 'Spindle Body' design philosophy that we first saw on the latest RX. It's not just the immensity of the body-coloured large grille - but its appearance of gradually fading out as it rises to meet the bonnet - that ensures it looks like nothing else from the firm and also on the road. Beyond that, however, the LM's striking presence also comes from its sheer size: It's 5,125mm long, 1,890mm wide, and a whopping 1,955mm tall (this height also means you'll have to watch out and avoid driving to older carparks in Singapore).
Apart from its large, body-coloured grille, the LM's striking presence also comes from its sheer size: It's more than 5.1m long, and also more than 1.9m tall
Naturally, this large footprint is dedicated towards maximising space (and thus comfort) for occupants, and Lexus is confident that with its 3,000mm-long wheelbase, the LM will deliver on this front.
Private jets were apparently one source of inspiration for the car's concept; the MPV's interior was also designed to be as relaxing as one's living room, while also bringing extra convenience by functioning as a 'mobile office'. Rather than overwhelm occupants visually, Lexus also said it intentionally opted for more muted palettes; the two interior colour options are either Solis White (with copper accents), or Black (with grey tone gradations). Meanwhile, a balanced mixture of horizontal and vertical lines, and the application of Yanabe patterns (a herringbone woodgrain) help create the atmosphere of a luxurious lounge.
Only the seven-seater variant is on offer at launch. Still, regardless of where one is seated, Lexus says that attention was paid to all of the seat structures to reduce fatigue and improve comfort
It's worth noting that the LM's local launch only includes the seven-seater for now, which - although not as extreme in its luxury as the four-seater (with its 48-inch screen) - is still thoroughly sumptuous. (Interestingly, this marks Lexus' first seven-seater here too since the RX 350L - a very different sort of car.)
Expectedly, the second row is where you want to be; its twin captain's chairs don't just boast automated reclining and massage functions, but also get two types of shock-absorbing materials to reduce movement. Each passenger is additionally treated to his or her own detachable touch display, which can be used to adjust the air-conditioning, media, and even their own individual window and roof shades (real luxury means each person gets a dedicated sunroof).
Besides getting their own detachable touch displays that can control a multitude of functions, second-row occupants also get best seats in the house for viewing the 14-inch drop-down LCD screen
Here, the LM also debuts a 'Rear Climate Concierge', which integrates various elements such as air-conditioning, sunshades, ambient illumination, and seating within a single control for the perfect cabin environment.
Having said that, all should feel at ease in the cabin with the specially calibrated seat structures, which reduce discomfort and motion sickness by stabilising the body postures of occupants and reducing their head movements. A 21-speaker Mark Levinson Sound System (we put this to the test ourselves and can give our personal seals of approval), and a drop-down 14-inch screen can also turn this into a roving theatre - or indeed, a mobile meeting room for conference calls on-the-go.
On that note, just as important to the LM's claim of superlative comfort is how the car will feel on the move.
Interestingly, the LM features a dedicated 'Rear Comfort' Drive Mode, which relies on an all-new 'AVS with Frequency-Sensitive Piston Valve' to maintain excellent ride quality through all speeds
The Lexus LM rides on the latest-generation GA-K platform, which gives the car high torsional rigidity, and helps to reduce vibration. In the single '350h AWD' powertrain variant offered at launch, a 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain musters 247bhp, and sends this power variably to all four wheels.
One unique feature of the LM, however - and one that you probably won't find in other cars - is a dedicated 'Rear Comfort' Drive Mode. This relies on Lexus' (also) all-new 'AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) with Frequency-Sensitive Piston Valve', which apparently ensures excellent ride quality regardless of speed by dampening and reducing vibration over a wide range of frequencies.
Finally, with quietness as one of the car's key goals, special attention was directed towards tuning both the engine itself as well as its related mounts to reduce vibrations. Acoustic glass used on the LM should also reduce high-frequency wind noise, so that occupants can truly unwind in the cabin - or enjoy whatever show they've decided to put on for the journey.
Expectedly, the LM is likely to come only into the hands of those with the deepest pockets. This seven-seater variant launches with a half-a-million-dollar price tag before COE - staggering even by Lexus standards - and the even more-luxurious four-seater variant is set to take this figure up a few notches further when it eventually arrives. (Lexus Singapore is targeting a Q1 2024 launch.)
Still, Lexus is clear that this won't be a 'run-of-the-mill' model anyway; it has explicitly stated that the car was "tailored to cater to a new and distinct customer segment, with a particular focus on the ultra-affluent".
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Takami Yokoo also addressed the question of similarities between the LM and the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, stating categorically that the former was treated entirely as its own model throughout development - and one with the qualities only befitting of a range-topper too.
Although the models share the same platform, the key question that he pondered when engineering the LM was, "In order to be developing a flagship MPV for Lexus, what should I be doing?"
Continuing, he reiterated, "As Chief Engineer, when I was developing this vehicle, I have never thought about basing it on something else."
The Lexus LM is now on sale in Singapore, and Sgcarmart understands that customer previews have already commenced by special invitation.
Car Model | Price at press time (excluding COE) |
Lexus LM 350h (A) | $510,800 |
Flagship sedans, or flagship SUVs? Those are all too common.
Charting a new path for the brand in Singapore, Lexus has instead launched something different in Singapore: A flagship MPV, in the form of the all-new Lexus LM.
The car was unveiled to members of the media on 6 October 2023 right next to Lexus Singapore's VIP Lounge - a new private suite designed to elevate the customer experience in the showroom - and even saw its Chief Engineer, Mr. Takami Yokoo, gracing the event and hosting a mini Q&A session.
Initially conceptualised to meet demand for chauffeur-driven MPVs in China and other parts of Asia, the LM is unambiguous about its identity and purpose - and this starts right from its name, which abbreviates the term 'Luxury Mover'. Despite being new to Singapore, this is also actually already the second generation of the LM, which is now getting a far wider release (Europe is getting the model for the first time too).
With its 2023 debut, the all-new LM carries Lexus' current 'Spindle Body' design philosophy that we first saw on the latest RX. It's not just the immensity of the body-coloured large grille - but its appearance of gradually fading out as it rises to meet the bonnet - that ensures it looks like nothing else from the firm and also on the road. Beyond that, however, the LM's striking presence also comes from its sheer size: It's 5,125mm long, 1,890mm wide, and a whopping 1,955mm tall (this height also means you'll have to watch out and avoid driving to older carparks in Singapore).
Apart from its large, body-coloured grille, the LM's striking presence also comes from its sheer size: It's more than 5.1m long, and also more than 1.9m tall
Naturally, this large footprint is dedicated towards maximising space (and thus comfort) for occupants, and Lexus is confident that with its 3,000mm-long wheelbase, the LM will deliver on this front.
Private jets were apparently one source of inspiration for the car's concept; the MPV's interior was also designed to be as relaxing as one's living room, while also bringing extra convenience by functioning as a 'mobile office'. Rather than overwhelm occupants visually, Lexus also said it intentionally opted for more muted palettes; the two interior colour options are either Solis White (with copper accents), or Black (with grey tone gradations). Meanwhile, a balanced mixture of horizontal and vertical lines, and the application of Yanabe patterns (a herringbone woodgrain) help create the atmosphere of a luxurious lounge.
Only the seven-seater variant is on offer at launch. Still, regardless of where one is seated, Lexus says that attention was paid to all of the seat structures to reduce fatigue and improve comfort
It's worth noting that the LM's local launch only includes the seven-seater for now, which - although not as extreme in its luxury as the four-seater (with its 48-inch screen) - is still thoroughly sumptuous. (Interestingly, this marks Lexus' first seven-seater here too since the RX 350L - a very different sort of car.)
Expectedly, the second row is where you want to be; its twin captain's chairs don't just boast automated reclining and massage functions, but also get two types of shock-absorbing materials to reduce movement. Each passenger is additionally treated to his or her own detachable touch display, which can be used to adjust the air-conditioning, media, and even their own individual window and roof shades (real luxury means each person gets a dedicated sunroof).
Besides getting their own detachable touch displays that can control a multitude of functions, second-row occupants also get best seats in the house for viewing the 14-inch drop-down LCD screen
Here, the LM also debuts a 'Rear Climate Concierge', which integrates various elements such as air-conditioning, sunshades, ambient illumination, and seating within a single control for the perfect cabin environment.
Having said that, all should feel at ease in the cabin with the specially calibrated seat structures, which reduce discomfort and motion sickness by stabilising the body postures of occupants and reducing their head movements. A 21-speaker Mark Levinson Sound System (we put this to the test ourselves and can give our personal seals of approval), and a drop-down 14-inch screen can also turn this into a roving theatre - or indeed, a mobile meeting room for conference calls on-the-go.
On that note, just as important to the LM's claim of superlative comfort is how the car will feel on the move.
Interestingly, the LM features a dedicated 'Rear Comfort' Drive Mode, which relies on an all-new 'AVS with Frequency-Sensitive Piston Valve' to maintain excellent ride quality through all speeds
The Lexus LM rides on the latest-generation GA-K platform, which gives the car high torsional rigidity, and helps to reduce vibration. In the single '350h AWD' powertrain variant offered at launch, a 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain musters 247bhp, and sends this power variably to all four wheels.
One unique feature of the LM, however - and one that you probably won't find in other cars - is a dedicated 'Rear Comfort' Drive Mode. This relies on Lexus' (also) all-new 'AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) with Frequency-Sensitive Piston Valve', which apparently ensures excellent ride quality regardless of speed by dampening and reducing vibration over a wide range of frequencies.
Finally, with quietness as one of the car's key goals, special attention was directed towards tuning both the engine itself as well as its related mounts to reduce vibrations. Acoustic glass used on the LM should also reduce high-frequency wind noise, so that occupants can truly unwind in the cabin - or enjoy whatever show they've decided to put on for the journey.
Expectedly, the LM is likely to come only into the hands of those with the deepest pockets. This seven-seater variant launches with a half-a-million-dollar price tag before COE - staggering even by Lexus standards - and the even more-luxurious four-seater variant is set to take this figure up a few notches further when it eventually arrives. (Lexus Singapore is targeting a Q1 2024 launch.)
Still, Lexus is clear that this won't be a 'run-of-the-mill' model anyway; it has explicitly stated that the car was "tailored to cater to a new and distinct customer segment, with a particular focus on the ultra-affluent".
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Takami Yokoo also addressed the question of similarities between the LM and the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, stating categorically that the former was treated entirely as its own model throughout development - and one with the qualities only befitting of a range-topper too.
Although the models share the same platform, the key question that he pondered when engineering the LM was, "In order to be developing a flagship MPV for Lexus, what should I be doing?"
Continuing, he reiterated, "As Chief Engineer, when I was developing this vehicle, I have never thought about basing it on something else."
The Lexus LM is now on sale in Singapore, and Sgcarmart understands that customer previews have already commenced by special invitation.
Car Model | Price at press time (excluding COE) |
Lexus LM 350h (A) | $510,800 |
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