Lexus had record sales last year, with deliveries reaching 851,214 vehicles, the highest since the company was founded in 1989. While some may argue it’s best not to tamper with a winning formula, parent company Toyota is looking to shake things up. We’ve already discussed how the Century nameplate has been elevated to flagship status in the corporate hierarchy, but changes are also afoot at Lexus.
According to Chief Branding Officer Simon Humphries, Lexus is now in a position where it can “move more freely” and “continue to lead the way.” While these statements sound somewhat vague, they suggest that Toyota wants its luxury division to think more creatively. Judging from the teaser for an upcoming concept car, Lexus appears to have been given the freedom to experiment with bold, unconventional projects.
Which brings us to the six-wheel minivan that will debut at the Japan Mobility Show later this month. It’s a concept that could one day go into production. It would slot above the lesser-known LM, itself a more luxurious version of the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire offered in select markets. Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda hints at the real possibility of reusing the legendary LS badge for this luxurious family car:
‘It’s an incredible challenge. There are certain things people expect from Lexus: tranquility, comfort, the ability to conquer any road. A six-wheeled vehicle must achieve all these things. Everyone is committed to this task and I am confident they will succeed.”
Toyoda also emphasized that a Lexus flagship doesn’t necessarily have to be a sedan, explaining that the “S” in “LS” now stands for “space” instead of “sedan.” He told the development team behind the three-axle minivan not to “discover” and “imitate” anyone, implying that Lexus had the green light to pursue truly radical ideas.
Toyota isn’t shy about using big words to describe what’s in store for its premium brand. A real ‘transformation’ is underway, with plans to take on ‘even bolder challenges’. Speaking about the upcoming concept, Toyoda describes it as “a new form of luxury car” and “an entirely new type of premium three-row minivan.”
Production of the LS sedan is nearing its end and its indirect successor promises to be a “dramatic transformation,” according to the Japanese automaker. Chairman Toyoda makes it clear that this will not be another sedan or SUV, but a minivan with a driver. This move makes sense to some extent as luxury vans are becoming increasingly popular in China. Two examples of older brands that come to mind are the Volvo EM90 and Buick GL8.
Local automakers are also crowding the segment with vehicles such as the Voyah Dream, Denza D9, Zeekr 009 and Xpeng X9. Like these Chinese electric minivans, the new Lexus LS will likely move away from combustion engines altogether. But since the concept hasn’t even been revealed yet, a production version probably won’t arrive until 2027.
Whether such an unorthodox idea will also catch on outside China remains to be seen. Traditionalists will probably baulk at the thought of an LS-badged minivan, a bizarre one at that, but Toyota seems intent on taking Lexus in a much bolder direction.
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