During this time when personal safety and health is paramount, the fortunate ones are able to live and work within their own bubble.
The vehicle with the greatest potential to be the ultimate luxury conveyance is a van. Even in mass-market commuter vans, and going up to the mid-level and premium minivans, passengers can experience the comfort and convenience that only space can give. Most carmakers missed this as they developed sedans, coupes and SUVs into luxury vehicles, but hardly any vans.
Lexus is not most carmakers—its history of taking a popular segment and making cars that are superbly equipped and highly reliable attest to that. So it has come up with a luxury van worthy of its name.
Those looking for the ultimate bubble on wheels would do well to consider the Lexus LM 350 luxury MPV. The LM concept is centered around the cabin. The large interior space was crafted to be the ultimate conveyance, whether in 7-seat or 4 configuration. The 7-seat LM is the more versatile of the two options. Lexus says that this LM can be reconfigured for business, long commutes, or trips with family and friends. The 7-seat LM features second-row captain’s chairs. Its retractable ottoman deploys when in recline mode. The third row can be moved or folded to allow the van to carry more luggage.
Then there’s the 4-seat LM, where all of the rear cabin is occupied by just two seats. This makes it the equivalent of the first-class section of a jetliner. The reclining seats have a massage function with a choice of seven different options and five levels of pressure. Since it’s challenging to arrange any kind of massage these days, the LM gives a perfect alternative. The seats use AdaptiPedic foam that not only conforms to the occupant’s body, but also absorbs vibration for a further sense of splendid isolation.
The sumptuousness of the LM cabin doesn’t stop with the seats. There are large storage space suitable for one’s Birkin handbag or Valextra duffel on both sides of the van. When it’s time to break the silence, the LM obliges with an advanced Mark Levinson audio system. There’s an available 26-inch high-definition screen to match. An analog clock, worktable, twin power moonroofs, and refrigerator make the LM a veritable living room on wheels. An available glass partition separates the rear cabin from the driver.
Materials and workmanship are top notch, assembled by Lexus’s Takumi—master crafstmen. They have infused the LM with Gin Sui Boku (silver ink) ornamentation, inspired by Japanese paintings, that give the luxury van its own character.
The outside of the LM is just as ornate. It has the trademark ultra-large spindle grille, flanked by L-shaped chrome garnish. Likewise, there are the L-shaped arrowhead accents at the sides, 3D-spoke design wheels and L-shaped taillights. Since power is the ultimate luxury, the LM is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with 299ps. It’s paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels. The output is enough for a 0-100kph sprint in 7 seconds flat.
Safety is of prime importance in the LM. It comes with adaptive high-beam headlights, pre-collision system, lane-tracing assist, dynamic radar cruise control, blind-spot monitor, parking support brake and rear cross-traffic alert.
The LM 350 comes in black and white pearl, and starts at P5,408,000.
