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People mover buyers in Australia may soon get a taste of Japanese luxury for the first time. The Lexus version of the private import-favourite Toyota Alphard appears likely for Australian showrooms.
The 2023 Lexus LM – one of the world’s most luxurious people movers – appears likely come to Australia for the first time after the next-generation model is unveiled in China next week.
Lexus Australia issued a media bulletin tonight teasing the next-generation LM – the super-luxury version of the already-luxurious Japanese-market Toyota Alphard and Vellfire people movers, which are favourites among “grey importers” in Australia.
It is highly unusual for Lexus Australia to issue a media release for a new vehicle not planned for local showrooms.
Adding to the likelihood of a local launch is that Toyota Australia has held trademarks since late 2021 for the ‘LM350h’ and ‘LM500h’ nameplates, which are expected to adorn hybrid versions of the new model.
It would represent the first time a version of the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire people movers – albeit now with Lexus badges – has been sold in Australia in the 21-year history of the nameplates.
However, there is no word on if the Toyota versions – the luxury Alphard, and its sportier Vellfire twin – will come to Australia with their next generations, which are due in Japanese showrooms later this year.
The current-generation Lexus LM was launched in select markets in South-East Asia – plus China, where luxury people movers remain popular – three years ago, based on the current Alphard introduced in 2015.
Top-of-the-range versions feature four seats, treating the two rear passengers to individual ‘captain’s chairs’ with armrests, plush leather upholstery, and a touchscreen control panel.
The first and second rows of seats are split by a partition, incorporating a 26-inch TV screen and a fridge.
If the local trademark filings are a guide, the new Lexus LM may offer a choice of two hybrid systems in Australia, both shared with the new Lexus RX luxury SUV with which it is expected to share its underpinnings.
The LM350h is likely to combine a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with electric motors for 184kW combined, while the LM500h is expected to use a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motors developing 273kW combined.
The new 2023 Lexus LM is due to be unveiled at the Shanghai motor show in China next week, on Tuesday 18 April.
Rivals for the Lexus LM will be few and far between in Australia, limited largely to the diesel and electric Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
Chinese brand LDV’s electric Mifa 9 people mover wears a luxury car-like price tag – priced north of $110,000 drive-away – but it is based on a petrol-powered model priced from $53,990 drive-away, similar to rivals from Hyundai and Kia.
Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
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