Lexus Is Eager to Replace the LS with This Remarkable Six-Wheel Minivan | Carscoops

Lexus Is Eager to Replace the LS with This Remarkable Six-Wheel Minivan | Carscoops

      Although the new Lexus is currently showcased as a concept, Akio Toyoda stated that "everyone is committed to it" and assured that it will "definitely come to fruition."

      **8 hours ago**

      *by Thanos Pappas*

      The LS Concept represents a fresh interpretation of Lexus’ flagship model, featuring a minivan body style. It is designed with six wheels, a fully electric configuration, and an expansive interior with three rows of seating.

      Akio Toyoda has confirmed that the development team is serious about taking it into production.

      Just weeks ago, Lexus announced the discontinuation of its long-serving LS sedan. However, as Mark Twain might have pointed out, the reports of its demise have been significantly overstated. The brand has revived the LS nameplate not with a new traditional four-door sedan, but with something much more unconventional.

      The longstanding luxury sedan has transformed into a completely different vehicle: a six-wheeled electric minivan equipped with three rows of seats and an avant-garde appearance. The once-familiar LS badge now adorns a concept that exudes a futuristic, if somewhat bizarre, feel.

      **Six Wheels and a Statement**

      Yet, that’s not even the most astonishing aspect. Since it is a concept, what’s particularly surprising is the company's intention to develop it into a production model, though considerable work remains before that can happen.

      The official teaser, titled “Discover,” indicates a fresh chapter for Lexus. It highlights the profile of the LS Concept, featuring large front wheels alongside two smaller sets at the back.

      The concept showcases a boxy minivan form with minimal overhangs and a substantial wheelbase, appearing larger overall than the LM, which is based on the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire.

      Alongside its distinctive wheel layout, it includes features such as vertical LED headlights and taillights that extend towards the sides, as well as an illuminated roof fin. A wide sliding door opens to a spacious interior bathed in soft lighting, arranged in a six-seat, three-row layout.

      **Not Just A Concept Car**

      While the idea of a six-wheeled minivan may seem too extravagant for production, Chairman Akio Toyoda asserts that this is more than just a design project. In a message from two years ago, he urged the team to reinvent the Lexus flagship:

      "If we consider the LS as a BEV chauffeur vehicle, wouldn’t it turn into a new cornerstone for Lexus, featuring a new design that hasn't been imagined before? Lexus does not imitate others, so that’s our guiding principle; please begin to explore it... The LM represents an evolution of the Alphard, but… Will it further evolve from the LM, or… take on a completely new form?"

      **From Luxury Sedan to Luxury Space**

      Initially, the LS nameplate was defined as an acronym for “Luxury Sedan,” but Toyoda now reinterprets it as “Luxury Space,” paving the way for a three-row BEV model. The goal is to craft a chauffeured experience that retains a feeling of spaciousness and openness, even with six passengers onboard.

      When questioned about the concept's path to production, Toyoda was initially uncertain: “No, I’m not sure if they can achieve that yet.” However, he later remarked, “It’s still a long way off, but everyone is committed. Therefore, I’m confident it will definitely come true.”

      The current hurdles for the team include meeting the expected quietness and ride comfort associated with a Lexus while also ensuring the vehicle's practicality for everyday use. When asked if six wheels implied a 6WD system, Toyota’s head of design simply responded, “Maybe.”

      Toyoda also expressed a desire for the brand to “temporarily eliminate the spindle grille,” claiming it lacks “development potential.” Designers are now investigating ways to integrate the spindle design throughout the entire vehicle body, signaling a shift in the brand's design philosophy.

      The Lexus LS Concept is set to be fully revealed at the Japan Mobility Show in 2025. It remains uncertain, however, whether the team can create a suitable successor for the aging LS sedan. The current LS model is anticipated to cease production next year, with Lexus confirming its exit from the U.S. market.

      Yet, even if Lexus successfully brings the six-wheeled concept to reality, its prospects will differ by region. Luxurious minivans have a solid presence in Asian markets like China and Japan, but the situation in North America presents a different challenge. Additionally, there is the dilemma of how this new concept impacts the LM, Lexus’ existing premium minivan, which already serves a similar customer base.

      Interestingly, the only other six-wheeled vehicle Toyota has produced is the Lunar Cruiser, intended for use on the moon. Toyoda himself once humorously remarked, “I’m starting to think that maybe I want to drive it on Earth.”

Lexus Is Eager to Replace the LS with This Remarkable Six-Wheel Minivan | Carscoops

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Lexus Is Eager to Replace the LS with This Remarkable Six-Wheel Minivan | Carscoops

Although the new Lexus is currently showcased as a concept, Akio Toyoda remarked that "everyone is taking it seriously" and assured that it will "certainly come to fruition."