What is expected to become one of Lexus’s flagship products has been teased and it could be a shoo-in for Australia
Lexus has teased an all-new LM people mover model ahead of its official debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on Tuesday 18 April.
For those unfamiliar, the LM has historically been based on the Toyota Alphard people mover, the latter of which is a relatively common sight on Australian roads despite not being offered officially by the Japanese manufacturer.
Lexus has teased an ‘all-new’ LM people mover
Lexus Australia has yet to offer any official confirmation on if the next-generation LM will be offered locally however there are some encouraging signs.
The teaser image was shared directly by the local arm to the media on Tuesday, and a spokesperson told Chasing Cars it would “have more to say about LM in due course”.
What can we expect from the Lexus LM?
Currently, all we know for sure is what the rear-side angle of the LM looks like; with the teaser showing off a swooping design, similar to that of the RX large SUV, joined by a short roof spoiler.
The LM is expected to launch in a similar timeframe to the next-generation Alphard, which first launched its third generation in 2015, while its Lexus derivative appeared in first-generation form back in 2019.
The current-generation Lexus LM first went on sale in 2019
Overseas buyers have been offered both a seven-seat and an ultra-luxurious four-seat option, with the latter being something currently available in the LX four-wheel-drive here in Australia.
The four-seat option currently targets high-end buyers in Asia, with a focus on providing copious amounts of legroom for the second-row occupants, who can seal themselves off from the driver and even have access to their own 26-inch multimedia screen and fridge.
The LM is currently offered with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol and a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine options, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see a fully-electric drivetrain offered, given Lexus’s push towards this new technology.
Passengers are treated to a 26-inch screen in the seal-off rear cabin
The luxury people mover space has recently seen a resurgence of options in Australia, with the LDV Mifa 9 offered in both petrol and fully-electric variants and Volkswagen has confirmed its retro-throwback ID Buzz people mover is coming to Australia.
For now, we’ll have to wait until next Tuesday 18 April to find out more about the LM so stay tuned.
Keyword: Lexus LM 2024: luxury Toyota Alphard sibling teased ahead of official reveal