Lexus has showcased the LM 350 luxury MPV at the ongoing Auto Expo 2023. The brand has also confirmed that the Lexus LM will go on sale in India later this year. The Lexus LM is essentially a Toyota Vellfire (Rs 94.45 lakh, ex-showroom) but with Lexus-specific design cues and a much more luxuriously appointed interior.
Lexus has, however, showcased the LM in its non-hybrid, V6 350 guise at the Auto Expo. The one that will be launched in India will be the LM 300h variant with a petrol-hybrid powertrain.
- LM 300h gets a 218hp, 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid motor
- Essentially a Lexus-badged Vellfire with more premium touches
Lexus LM: exterior design
The new LM has a typical, upright and boxy MPV silhouette, with distinctive Lexus design touches, but the keen-eyed will be able to identify the Vellfire in it. Save for the soft plastic parts, all other body panels are identical on both MPVs.
Up front, it features Lexus’ signature spindle grille in chrome, flanked by sleek LED headlamps with L-shaped DRLs. The L-shaped fog lamp housings, too, are finished in chrome. On the side, the LM gets a unique chrome strip around the window line that’s different from the Vellfire, although the sliding doors and glass house are the same. At the back, there’s a distinctive LED tail-lamp assembly spanning the width of the tailgate along with generous use of chrome.
Lexus LM: interior and features
The LM is a lot more differentiated on the inside than it is on the outside, with the biggest highlight being a prominent partition between the front seats as well as between the second-row seats in the four-seater version. This is also the most luxurious version of the LM, with reclining and ventilated captain’s seats at the back separated by a touchscreen control panel in the middle. The panel contains controls for the seats, the climate control and the audio controls. There’s a large 26-inch display, a refrigerator and an umbrella storage area as well for the rear passengers.
The LM is also available in a 7-seater configuration that is aimed at family buyers and features an additional row of three seats at the back. The middle-row captain’s seats are, however, swapped with regular individual bucket seats.
Lexus LM: powertrain options
The Lexus LM is powered by a self-charging hybrid powertrain (300h) that comprises a 150hp, 2.5-litre petrol engine that runs the Atkinson cycle, and a pair of electric motors, one for each axle. The 143hp front motor works in conjunction with the engine (combined power is rated at 197hp) to drive the front wheels via an e-CVT. The 67hp rear motor, on the other hand, solely powers the rear wheels when needed to form an electric four-wheel-drive system. Globally, the LM is also offered with a 3.5-litre petrol engine (350) that’s offered with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Lexus has also confirmed launch of the new RX in India at the Auto Expo. The company has also showcased the flagship LX SUV along with the LF-30 and LF-Z concepts.
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