Lexus LS Concept - 6 wheeled minivan

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ProjectWHaT
After killing the LS sedan and ahead of the Japan Mobility Show, Lexus teases a new LS as a minivan with 6 wheels


Lexus recently signaled the beginning of the end for the LS with a Heritage Edition honoring the car that essentially launched Toyota’s luxury brand. But much has changed in the 36 years since the original LS debuted. In 2025, some buyers would rather drive, or be chauffeured, in a minivan.

This dramatic shift in customer preferences is reflected in Lexus’ decision to introduce the LM (Luxury Mover) as a high-end version of the Alphard. But that’s not all. The LS itself is now getting the minivan treatment, at least in concept form. Formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japan Mobility Show will host this surprise debut: an LS-badged minivan with six wheels.
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The face and the rear of roof are doing some active things there.

Well, the less bending down to not wrinkle your suit or crumple your dress, the better. Not to mention if driving distracts people from social media, give them room and a nice backdrop when on the go.
 
It's like Toyota saw that breadbox van concept Musk was waving around last year and said "How about we do that, but make it actually functional?"

It'll be a nice shuttle transport for the business class set, anyway. Wouldn't want to be seen arriving to the hotel in a dented Ford Transit like the other plebs, right?
 
In general, a Lexus minivan is probably a good idea, especially if they offer it in a limo-style form and affordable fleet pricing. Currently the American "limo" has taken the form of black Suburbans as far as the eye can see, taking up an incredible amount of space, lots of V8 idling, and difficult to load with bags and step up into. Commanding yes but less than easy to deal with. Having driven both very recently in city traffic, minivans are just as spacious and way easier to deal with.
 
Lexus already do this with the LM 300h, based on the Alphard. I'm not sure why they're marketing this as a replacement LS when it's the same concept (with an extra axle) as the LM? Just a bit bigger i guess.
 
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TheCracker
Lexus already do this with the LM 300h, based on the Alphard. I'm not sure why they're marketing this as a replacement LS when it's the same concept (with an extra axle) as the LM? Just a bit bigger i guess.
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I'm presuming the extra axle is for improved passenger comfort, and maybe better ability to handle the load of large amounts of luggage. In a normal van that luggage is situated behind the rear axle, and I can say from past experience driving an airport shuttle that adding a hundred or so pounds in that area does noticeably affect how the thing drives, especially when high winds or slick roads come into effect. Which again is something that factors into passenger comfort.

As for why they're labeling it as an LS... I dunno, probably just consolidating badges for simplicity's sake.
 
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Keef
In general, a Lexus minivan is probably a good idea, especially if they offer it in a limo-style form and affordable fleet pricing. Currently the American "limo" has taken the form of black Suburbans as far as the eye can see, taking up an incredible amount of space, lots of V8 idling, and difficult to load with bags and step up into. Commanding yes but less than easy to deal with. Having driven both very recently in city traffic, minivans are just as spacious and way easier to deal with.
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Well, I've thought in my previous post, if someone could build a van smaller than a Sprinter, with low step height and less bending/stooping for entry and not be a bus or train, they'd be onto something.
Kei vans are pretty much that right now.
 
I saw a black Lexus Mover on Monday. I guess they want their own van. Gotta be different.

It’s for those that want to feel they’re in a beer garden while being driven around.
 
Ignoring the mandatory Impractical Concept Car Steering Section™, the interior looks pretty much like I expected; a private jet on wheels for those who feel they're too important for normal person transportation. It really is what the Elon Breadbox Van was trying to present itself as, only actually functional.

The rotatable center bench and option to either have a rear bench or (presumably) remove that and sacrifice the cargo space for VIP captain's chairs is interesting, I get that there those who probably have their luggage delivered ahead of them and would rather have the true landjet experience. Or maybe they delete the front passenger seat with that config and you put the suitcases up there, cause nobody rides up front with the chauffeur anyway...
 
Lexus also revealed two other types of LS

LS Coupe


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Lexus Micro LS

www.autocar.co.uk

Lexus turns the LS into a single-seater! But it's not what you think... | Autocar

Tiny autonomous pod is a three-wheeled first class suite for tightly packed modern cities
www.autocar.co.uk www.autocar.co.uk

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It has revealed the new Micro LS concept at the Tokyo motor show as a vision of how its trademark design cues and luxury ethos could translate into an urban microcar format to give "a luxury mobility experience for one".

It is tiny. Lexus has given no technical details, but the three-wheeler is only slightly wider than the single seat within and looks to be around the same length as the Citroën Ami - around 2.5 metres.

It is a "completely new kind of mobility", said Ian Cartabiano, who runs Toyota's California design studio, designed "to create a luxury mobility experience for one, seamlessly connecting to the last mile".

"It is designed for point-to-point, intra-city travel where roads are tight or where traditional cars aren't even allowed at all," he said

With a design influenced by urban architecture and a raft of innovative space-saving features (including a canopy-style entrance and slide-out cargo compartment housing a bespoke Lexus luggage set), the Micro LS is effectively a self-driving pod with a business class-style cabin.

It features a leather, armchair-style reclining seat; a huge vertical display and control screen (where a steering wheel would ordinarily be); floors and walls finished in bamboo; and a bespoke glassware set for drinks on the move.
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So they finally made my dream of an enclosed recliner on wheels come to life 🤣🤣🤣
 
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Okay, now I'm pretty sure they're just clowning on all the techbros who want to make stupid things like this so they don't have to share transportation with poor people. Those types are obsessed with the whole "personal pod" idea but their concepts always look like rounded egg-things on wheels, so Lexus making theirs a giant square has to be a shot fired at them. :lol:
 
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ProjectWHaT
It has revealed the new Micro LS concept at the Tokyo motor show as a vision of how its trademark design cues and luxury ethos could translate into an urban microcar format to give "a luxury mobility experience for one".

It is tiny. Lexus has given no technical details, but the three-wheeler is only slightly wider than the single seat within and looks to be around the same length as the Citroën Ami - around 2.5 metres.

It is a "completely new kind of mobility", said Ian Cartabiano, who runs Toyota's California design studio, designed "to create a luxury mobility experience for one, seamlessly connecting to the last mile".
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So you take a bus or train to within a mile of your destination and then just apparate one of these to save yourself a <20 minute walk?

ProjectWHaT
"It is designed for point-to-point, intra-city travel where roads are tight or where traditional cars aren't even allowed at all," he said
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What does this mean? Sidewalk? Bike lane?
ProjectWHaT
With a design influenced by urban architecture
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Trash can
ProjectWHaT
and a raft of innovative space-saving features
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..that takes up space on the sidewalks or bike lanes for one asshole to avoid other humans.

ProjectWHaT
(including a canopy-style entrance and slide-out cargo compartment housing a bespoke Lexus luggage set), the Micro LS is effectively a self-driving pod with a business class-style cabin.
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Tech-dystopia
ProjectWHaT
It features a leather, armchair-style reclining seat; a huge vertical display and control screen (where a steering wheel would ordinarily be); floors and walls finished in bamboo; and a bespoke glassware set for drinks on the move.
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Lovely.
 
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Eunos_Cosmo
So you take a bus or train to within a mile of your destination and then just apparate one of these to save yourself a <20 minute walk?
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To be fair, I highly doubt they're actually going to produce the luxury hellbox. It's more just a concept meant to show that their design language can be applied to a large variety of things, which I reckon means there are "lifestyle" goods are in the works.

Although if they actually did build a few for some resort hotel somewhere and made all those techbros furiously crap themselves because they got beaten to the punch, that'd be peak hilarity too.
 
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EngieDiesel
To be fair, I highly doubt they're actually going to produce the luxury hellbox. It's more just a concept meant to show that their design language can be applied to a large variety of things, which I reckon means there are "lifestyle" goods are in the works.

Although if they actually did build a few for some resort hotel somewhere and made all those techbros furiously crap themselves because they got beaten to the punch, that'd be peak hilarity too.
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Sounds like another feature that should be added. Maybe the screens can play "ow my balls" too.
 

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