Lexus Japan has announced some minor updates for the LM, with the updated luxury MPV set to go on sale there from August 1 this year. Available only with the LM 500h powertrain, the model can be had as either a four-seater (Executive) priced at 20.1 million yen (about RM578k), or six-seater (Version L) at 15 million yen (RM432k) – figures include local consumption tax.
According to the company, vibration-damping and sound-absorbing materials have been added and expanded around the rear wheelhouse and tailgate of the LM to reduce road noise from the rear tyres and vibration noise from the tailgate.
For the Executive variant, passengers in the rear seats will no longer need to reach up to the overhead console to operate the power-sliding doors. This is because Lexus has moved the controls to the rear centre console, which it says “allows for smoother access to the door switch while seated.”
Meanwhile, the space where the door switches used to be now has a downlight to light up the interior even more, and there’s a new tray on the centre console to store a smartphone and small items.
Another change made to the LM involves the various interior lights, which now have an increased maximum luminance in both the Executive and Version L variants. Lexus says this allows customers to adjust the brightness of the interior to suit their preferences.
Beyond these changes, the rest of the LM remains the same as before. The LM 500h features a T24A-FTS 2.4 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine making 275 PS (271 hp or 202 kW) and 460 Nm of torque. This is augmented by a front electric motor (1ZM) rated at 87 PS (86 hp or 64 kW) and 292 Nm, with drive going to the front wheels via six-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission.
A separate electric motor (1YM) at the rear with 103 PS (102 hp or 76 kW) and 169 Nm creates an all-wheel drive setup with a total system output of 371 PS (366 hp or 272 kW) and 550 Nm. The electric motors are linked to a 28.8-volt, 5-Ah nickel metal hydride battery.
The current, second-generation LM was first revealed in April 2023 and was launched in Malaysia in May 2024. We get the LM in two variants, including the four-seat LM 500h at RM1.468 million on-the-road without insurance, and the seven-seat LM 350h for RM1.228 million.
Lexus has unveiled the next generation Lexus LM at the Auto Shanghai 2023 event in China. Since the LM is a ‘triplet’ with the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire, we can take it as a preview of what the fourth generation Toyota Alphard/Vellfire will offer.
The new Lexus LM measures 5,125 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,955 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. While the wheelbase remains the same as the outgoing model, the new exterior measurements represents an increase in length of 85 mm, width by 40 mm and height by 10 mm.
Engine options for the LM for the Chinese market are 100% hybrid – either a 2.4 litre turbo hybrid with eAxle or a 2.5 litre inline-four normally aspirated hybrid system in either front wheel drive or an E-Four rear axle.
The 2.4 litre turbo hybrid system made its debut in the 2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance, where the 2.4 litre turbo engine drives the front wheels through a 6-speed auto gearbox, while an eAxle electric motor handles the rear wheels. Just like on the RX, this new turbo hybrid LM 500h variant replaces the 3.5 litre V6 model.
The new LM is available either as a 3-row with 6 or 7 seats, or as a 2-row with 4 seats. For seat development, passenger body movements were thoroughly analyzed to ensure a naturally relaxed state. he front seats optimize surface pressure distribution on the seat cushion to hold the body, regardless of the amount of G-force during turning. The goal is to achieve seating comfort that reduces fatigue and an environment that allows the driver to have dialogue with the car.
For the second-row seats, two types of shock-absorbing materials with different characteristics were used to gently envelop and support the passengers, from vehicle standstill to when the vehicle is in motion. In models with third-row seats, thick seat backs and cushions allow adults to sit comfortably.
Ride comfort has been improved by increasing the chassis torsional rigidity by 50% higher than the outgoing model, achieved via braces on the radiator support and rear underfloor, a straight rocker structure, and quarter pillar reinforcement. Structural adhesive used for the upper body and floor also helps to reduce vibration.
For the first time, Lexus features “AVS Suspension with Frequency-Sensitive Piston Valve”, which combines an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) actuator and a frequency-sensitive piston valve in the shock absorber. A new ‘Rear Comfort’ drive mode enables an emphasis on rear-seat comfort. The dampening force characteristics of the AVS are set to prioritize rear-seat comfort, while integrated control of the gas pedal and brake reduces posture changes during acceleration and deceleration.
For the interior, a total of 64 illumination colors are available, including 14 themed colors and 50 custom colors that can be selected according to preference. The “Rear Climate Concierge,” a Lexus first provides integrated control of elements such as air-conditioning, seat position, sunshades, and lighting.
The pinnacle of the LM’s luxury offering is the 4 seat model, featuring a partition equipped with a striking 48-inch wide-screen display in front of the rear seats.
A retractable glass partition above the display separates the front and rear compartments while offering a clear forward view, and assist grips provide easy entry and exit.
The rear compartment also features a refrigerator. The extension and retraction range of the ottoman has been increased compared to the previous model, while still maintaining ample distance between the ottoman and the partition. Heated armrests and ottomans are another first for Lexus.
Taking this further, a dedicated rear seat Warmth-Sensing IR (Infrared) Matrix Sensor located on the upper center portion of the partition detects the temperature of occupants and the parts of the vehicle that affect ambient temperature such as the windows, trim and ceiling.
The system then estimates the level of warmth or coldness the occupant is feeling in four specific areas―face, chest, thighs, and lower legs―and controls the air-conditioning and seat heaters in tandem to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle at all times.
The retractable table, which fits inside the armrest, is large enough to rest a tablet device or notebook PC. It has a leather-wrapped surface with improved texture and a non-slip, non-scratch finish.
In terms of safety, the new Lexus LM features a full Lexus Safety System+ suite which includes Pre-crash Safety, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (with all-speed follow function), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Abnormal Driver Response System, and Proactive Driving Assist (PDA).
