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Lexus has teased a new eight-seat people mover that’s due to be revealed at the 2019 Shanghai motor show on April 16th.
Reportedly called the LM and based on the Toyota Alphard, which isn't sold in Australia, the Lexus MPV is unlikely to be sold outside of Asia.
The Lexus LM is expected to be offered with either a 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine badged LM350, or with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid as the LM300h. Both drivetrains come straight from the Alphard, and all-wheel drive will be available optionally for buyers to choose.
So far, just two teaser images has been released, which depict the company's corporate spindle grille next to slim LED headlights. The rest of the car follows the Alphard’s boxy styling, though with Lexus cues such as a chrome window line and multi spoke alloy wheels.
Known for luxurious cabins and middle row captain's chairs, large MPVs like the Toyota Alphard and Nissan Elgrand are the vehicles of choice for business people throughout Asia, holding a level of status that is beyond limousines in certain markets such as Thailand (where these vans can run to the equivalent of AUD$220,000).
While the Alphard and Elgrand aren't officially sold in Australia, North America and Europe, sizeable grey import markets exist for such models thanks to their practicality and interior space.
Although the Lexus LM would unlikely be sold in Australia because of our small people mover market, countries such as China and Taiwan still sell many and with the Alphard and its Vellfire twin already popular in those regions, a more expensive and more luxurious Lexus variant is almost a no-brainer considering the low cost of development.
If Lexus were to sell the LM outside of Asia, it could offer an intriguing alternative to the Volkswagen Multivan and Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
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