New Toyota Alphard-based Lexus people mover likely for Australia
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 local showrooms.
The 2023 Lexus LM – one of the world's most luxurious people movers – appears likely to 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 Japanese-market Toyota Alphard and Vellfire people movers, which are popular as "grey imports" (vehicles imported as used cars that are not sold as new 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: 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.
MORE: 2020 Lexus LM unveiled
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.
For now there is unclear whether the Toyota versions of the same vehicle – the luxury Alphard, and its sportier Vellfire twin – will also come to Australia.
The next-generation models across the Toyota and Lexus brands are due in overseas showrooms later this year.
The current-generation Lexus LM (based on the Toyota Alphard introduced in 2015) has been sold in parts of South-East Asia – plus China, where luxury people movers remain popular – for the past three years.
Top-of-the-range versions are equipped with 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.