Three years because the unique rolled onto the scene, UMW Toyota Motor has formally launched the brand new second-generation Lexus LM in Malaysia. Constructed on the bones of the fourth-generation Toyota Alphard that debuted in October (alongside the associated Vellfire), the ultra-luxurious MPV comes with much more tech and toys, together with better differentiation over its extra pedestrian siblings.
For the primary time, the LM is being supplied right here in two variants, differentiated not simply by the powertrain (now consisting solely of hybrids) but additionally the variety of seats. A brand new seven-seater mannequin joins the lineup within the type of the LM350h, priced at RM1,228,000 on-the-road with out insurance coverage, whereas the ridiculously plush four-seat format has been retained within the LM500h, now costing a heady RM1,468,000.
The brand new LM should still be primarily based on the Alphard and share a lot of that automotive’s mechanicals, however a lot has modified that it now has its personal AW10 codename (satirically shared with the unique AW10/AW11 Toyota MR2; the present Alphard/Vellfire’s is AH40). Nowhere is that this extra evident than beneath the bonnet, the place the LM is – in Malaysia a minimum of – the one one of many trio to function a hybrid-only lineup.
Now not does the Lexus have a six-cylinder engine – as a substitute it’s powered solely by 4 cylinders. The LM350h makes use of Toyota’s tried-and-true Hybrid Synergy Drive, consisting of a 2.5 litre A25A-FXS Dynamic Power naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle engine producing 190 PS at 6,000 rpm and 239 Nm of torque from 4,300 to 4,500 rpm.
That is related to an eCVT with twin electrical motors, churning out 182 PS and 270 Nm and leading to a complete system output of 250 PS – all despatched to the entrance wheels. So geared up, the LM350h will get from zero to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds on its option to a prime velocity of 190 km/h, whereas mixed gasoline consumption determine is rated at 5.5 litres per 100 km.
Step as much as the LM500h and also you get an altogether extra critical Direct4 all-wheel-drive parallel hybrid powertrain, lifted straight from the RX500h. That is centred round a 2.4 litre T24A-FTS turbocharged mill that churns out 275 PS at 6,000 rpm and 460 Nm between 2,000 and three,000 rpm, paired with a six-speed computerized gearbox sandwiching an 87 PS/292 Nm electrical motor.
A separate 103 PS/169 Nm motor drives the rear wheels, contributing to a complete system output of 371 PS and 550 Nm. This slashes the century dash time by over two seconds (down to six.9 seconds), however the prime velocity additionally drops to 185 km/h. Given the additional energy, it’s no shock that gasoline consumption has additionally elevated to six.6 litres per 100 km.
The variations between the Lexus and Toyota fashions prolong to the outside. For the primary time, the LM makes use of bespoke sheet steel, that means that it is going to be virtually inconceivable for Alphard house owners to make a convincing “conversion” this time round.
The facet physique panels with their intersecting shoulder traces are distinctive, as are the blacked-out A-pillars and the inverted body-coloured D-pillar fin. The window line additionally drops down on the B-pillars (as a substitute of rising upwards on the Toyotas), giving the towkays on the again a greater view out.
On the entrance, you’ll discover Lexus’ newest “spindle physique” grille (a improvement of the model’s trademark “spindle grille”), coming with a hot-stamped satin end for the silver inlays – a Lexus first. That is flanked by triple-projector LED headlights with higher and decrease L-shaped daytime operating lights. The intricate multi-spoke alloy wheels, which nonetheless function noise discount know-how, are actually an inch bigger at 19 inches in diameter – lastly on par with the Alphard and Vellfire.
Shifting to the rear, the LM will get U-shaped full-width taillights joined by an illuminated bar, together with the Lexus script. As per the Alphard and Vellfire, the tailgate opening and shutting buttons have been moved to the facet close to the taillights, stopping customers from being in the way in which of the huge rear door. Sadly, there’s no hands-free opening or closing operate in anyway.
One other function that units the LM other than the Alphard and Vellfire is Lexus’ e-Latch entrance doorways, launched on the second-gen NX. This permits the door opening warning operate to be prolonged, stopping the doorways from being opened if the automotive senses a passing automotive. As an added bonus, you additionally get soft-close doorways.
Identical to the Alphard, the LM strikes onto the Okay variant of the Toyota New World Structure (GA-Okay), that includes MacPherson strut entrance and double wishbone rear suspension. For the primary time, the LM will get adaptive dampers with frequency-selective valving, plus a novel Rear Consolation drive mode that reduces vibrations within the cabin. Lively noise cancellation has additionally been added.
Measuring 5,125 mm lengthy, 1,890 mm large and 1,955 mm tall, the brand new LM is 85 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 45 mm taller than earlier than, though the three,000 mm wheelbase is retained. In opposition to the Alphard, the Lexus is 115 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 5 millimetres longer. Boot house is quoted at 752 litres on the LM500h and 1,191 litres for the LM350h, the latter presumably with the folding third-row seats tipped as much as the facet.
Inside, the LM is simply as bespoke as the surface, with a sometimes Lexus design wrapped in luxurious supplies. These embrace semi-aniline leather-based upholstery in both Solis White or Black, in addition to Yabane herringbone matte wooden trim and a few Ultrasuede trim. Weirdly sufficient, solely the LM350h will get a Bengala wood-trimmed steering wheel; the LM500h’s is full-leather because it’s heated.
When it comes to tech, you get Lexus’ Tazuna infotainment interface once more first seen on the NX, incorporating a 12.3-inch digital instrument show, a 14-inch centre touchscreen, bodily local weather management dials and the jettisoning of the terrible Distant Contact pad. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto come as commonplace.
On the again, the four-seater LM500h nonetheless options two enterprise class-style seats which might be absolutely reclinable and include an ottoman and heating, air flow and therapeutic massage capabilities (now operable by way of two detachable smartphone-like tablets). Nonetheless, rear occupants now achieve entry to a a lot bigger 48-inch widescreen show, replete with a split-screen operate and twin HDMI inputs to facilitate this.
The LM500h’s large display screen is mounted on a large partition between the entrance and rear cabins, that includes a retractable electrochromic glass display screen and die-cast magnesium body for elevated rigidity. Additionally distinctive to the costlier mannequin are a fridge, giant twin storage compartments and an umbrella holder on both facet.
Relative plebs within the LM350h nonetheless get power-adjustable captain’s chairs on the second-row (once more with the aforementioned tablets) and three seats on the again, plus a relatively tiny 14-inch ceiling-mounted rear monitor. Each variants include twin glass roof panels, magnesium folding tables with leather-based surfaces and powered sunshades on all rear home windows.
The Lexus Local weather Concierge comes commonplace with 4 zones and Panasonic’s Nanoe X air ioniser. Additional differentiating the LM500h are infrared sensors aimed on the two rear passengers, figuring out the temperature of 4 particular physique areas (face, chest and higher and decrease legs) and adjusting the air-conditioning to swimsuit.
Commonplace equipment contains keyless entry, push-button begin, power-adjustable entrance seats and steering column, a Mark Levinson Reference sound system (with 21 audio system for the LM350h and 23 audio system for the LM500h) and a 360-degree digicam system with a “see by way of” operate. Not like the earlier mannequin, you not get a entrance sunroof, and whereas Qi wi-fi chargers are nonetheless out there, they’re now solely discovered on the rear.
Security-wise, all fashions get the Lexus Security System+ suite of driver assists, together with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management with cease and go, lane centring help, blind spot monitoring and rear cross visitors alert with auto brake. New for 2024 are a camera-based driver consideration monitor, park help and entrance cross visitors alert, additionally with auto brake.
GALLERY: Lexus LM500h
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