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Shanghai Motor Show

The Lexus LM is a garish grille with an MPV attached

Just as SUVs go stratospheric, Lexus makes an actual people carrier

Published: 16 Apr 2019

Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on this. If you can see past the mahoosive grille then you’re a better person than us. It's worth a try, though, because lurking behind it though is something rather interesting. 

This is the Lexus LM – the first ever MPV from Toyota’s luxury arm, shown for the very first time at the Shanghai motor show. So, while the whole world decides it wants SUVs, Lexus has decided now's the time to give people carriers a go.

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Yes, the styling may be a bit off and the chrome is a little garish, but just check out the space in the back. Lexus has clearly taken some inspiration from stretched limos and business class airport lounges for the interior.

In this four-seat configuration there’s a giant screen adorned with a 26-inch TV between the driver (your chauffeur, of course) and the rear passengers. There are then two exceptionally comfy-looking chairs that can heat, cool, massage or recline the discerning business man or woman on the go. Lovely. Oh, and don’t forget the obligatory champagne fridge.

If you’re a more sociable person, there will also be a seven-seat layout. Four seats it is for us, then.

As with all luxury items these days there’s a touchscreen to control all of the technology in the back, including the 19-speaker sound system.

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Not that it’ll matter much to those that buy them, but under the skin there’s a choice of the LM350, with a 3.5-litre V6, or the LM300h, which use a 2.5-litre four-cylinder connected to an electric motor. Because Lexus loves a hybrid.

Unfortunately, the LM has been specifically designed for the Asian market, meaning we won’t ever see it in the UK. It’ll just have to settle for a place at the head of our recent list of garish grilles then. Shame.

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