[/p][p]The new Lexus LS has debuted at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. But it wasn’t what anyone expected. Rather than an updated version of the LS sedan that launched the company in 1989, Toyota opted to show off a six-wheeled concept van. However, the manufacturer now views LS as a family of luxury vehicles and opted to bring along an LS-badged crossover concept and an autonomous wheelchair to help round out its automotive showcase. [/p][cuttext][/cuttext][p][br][/p][p]Toyota’s luxury arm is obnoxiously calling the crossover the “Lexus LS Coupe Concept” and it comes with a mix of features that might make it into production and plenty that will not. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Rear-hinged doors are plausible. Toyota has even fitted them to production vehicles before. However, being forced to place cargo onto a loading tray that functions like a CD-ROM drive from the 1990s is neither practical nor innovative. In trying to make this crossover into a coupe, Lexus has effectively nullified a key advantage by giving it a trunk. [/p][p][br][/p][p]It’s obviously just a design concept, so that really doesn’t matter. The vehicle primarily exists so we have something to talk about. However, what we talk about is relevant because the public reception of those elements may influence whether or not we see them on production cars. But there’s not a lot on here that seems like it’s destined for assembly. [/p][p]
[/p][p]While the automaker hasn’t given much in the way of details, the Lexus LS Coupe Concept is very obviously intended to be an all-electric vehicle. It’s also loaded up with trendy inclusions. [/p][p][br][/p][p]Screens are everywhere, it has a massive panoramic glass roof, and the interior aesthetic could be described as a collaboration between retro-futurism and minimalism with a hint of brutalism. There’s even a yoke steering wheel. [/p][p]
[/p][p]It’s all very of the moment in terms of design, resulting in a mix of truly beautiful shapes and pointless tech gimmicks. Isolated corners of the vehicle (both inside and out) really should be studied and incorporated into production models. [/p][p][br][/p][p]As a complete package, the LS Coupe Concept resembles most EV design exercises you’ve already seen over the last twenty years. [/p][p]
[p]It’s a similar story with the van. Lexus explained that LS now stands for “Luxury Space” and that the people-mover that premiered in Tokyo is effectively a physical representation of that theme.[/p][p][br][/p][p]We were under the impression that the LS name had historically referred to “Luxury Sedan” and wondered why the automaker wasn’t continuing with tradition. But the question had already been answered in [url=https://www.thedrive.com/news/lexus-made-the-ls-a-van-and-suv-because-sedans-are-fighting-a-losing-battle]a conversation between[/url] [i] [url=https://www.thedrive.com/news/lexus-made-the-ls-a-van-and-suv-because-sedans-are-fighting-a-losing-battle]The Drive[/url][/i] and Toyota’s California design studio Advanced Design President Ian Cartabiano.[/p]
[/p][p]“[It’s] time to go for something new. It’s definitely time to try something else,” he said. “And you never know, in the future, sedans could definitely come back, especially with the younger generation, right? And so, we’re not closed to that, but just right now, we’re in a space where we want to innovate and push.”[/p][p][br][/p][p]However, the outlet noted that Toyota saw the sedan as presently fighting a losing battle. [/p][p]
[/p][p]“It’s an LS family of flagships,” he explained. “It’s not necessarily one answer. Because some people are going to want something more driving-focused. And the LS Coupe Concept exceeds the LS [sedan] interior volume in every single way. And the exterior’s wrapped in that more beautiful shell. So there are two different flavors there; we’re not limiting our customers to one direction.”[/p][p][br][/p][p]In Japan, vans are fairly common and Lexus already has one in its lineup. Known as the LM, which is short for ”Luxury Mover,” it’s basically an extra-fancy version of the Toyota Alphard. Sized more like an MPV than a traditional van or ultra-small kei vehicle, the Alphard often makes a popular shuttle vehicle or family hauler for multi-generational households. This has also made it successful in China, where it can be found as the more upscale Toyota Crown Vellfire. [/p][p]
[/p][p]China likes vans almost as it does conspicuous luxury, which may explain why Lexus has historically debuted new versions of the LM in Shanghai. While executive vans do exist in Europe, the amount of features on their Chinese equivalents have them rivaling any of the most luxurious cars currently in production. But China also loves sedans, and now accounts for nearly half of all sedans sold in a given year. Many automakers now design their four-door cars to cater primarily to the Central Asian market. [/p][p][br][/p][p]Elsewhere in the world, sedans have become less popular. But the reasons for why vary greatly. Our market has regulations that make it harder for traditional cars to comply with emissions, so the industry has simply pivoted toward SUVs, pickups, and crossover vehicles. These models boast improved profit margins against something like a sedan or hatchback — further incentivizing manufacturers to abandon them. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Crossovers, which now dominate most countries, likewise cover everything most households would need on a regular basis. That leaves sedans in an odd position of appealing to drivers who are willing to spend more for improved dynamics and performance, while also appealing to drivers who just want what may similarly be the cheapest vehicle on the lot. [/p][p][br][/p][p]So Lexus’ claim that sedans are basically losing the fight for supremacy isn’t wrong. It just needs to be said four-door cars are in an odd position and that their primary nemesis in that battle may be the manufacturers themselves.[/p][p]
[/p][p]However, it’s hard to presume that means vans are the answer. While your author is a massive van advocate, sedans don’t really seem to have as much to fear from them. In the past, they’ve encroached on pickup trucks and basically supplanted the station wagon. With crossovers eventually coming in to fill the space after vans became less popular. Assuming there was a van resurgence, it seems likely that it would take place in Asia and probably impact crossovers more than other body styles. [/p][p][br][/p][p]As for the new LS Concept van, it seems pretty clear that Toyota envisions this as a tier higher than the current LM. But the six-wheel setup is unrealistic and likely exists to help draw attention to the vehicle at the trade event. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Similar to the LS “Coupe,” glass is placed everywhere but on the floorboards of the van. The driver also gets a unique center seating position and another unnecessary steering yoke. [/p][p][br][/p][p]Were it to be built, it would certainly become one of the biggest passenger vans on any Asian market. The interior is spacious, looks inviting, and can be converted into a traveling lounge. Some light reconfiguration of seats and armrests can yield a daybed for sleepy passengers. [/p][p]
[p]Interestingly, there doesn’t appear to be a surplus of screens in the back-half of the vehicle. Hopefully, that’s because Lexus has decided that conspicuous tech doesn’t equate to legitimate luxury. But it may just have been that they didn’t have sufficient time to fit everything onto the concept vehicle prior to the show.[/p][p][br][/p][p]Lastly, Lexus previewed the LS Micro Concept. This resembles [url=https://youtu.be/aFdBcYN3sNw?si=0SmlYE-zrPuNIPcP]the P45 hybrid microcar driven by Jeremy Clarkson on[/url][i] [url=https://youtu.be/aFdBcYN3sNw?si=0SmlYE-zrPuNIPcP]Top Gear[/url][/i], at least in spirit. The main difference is that Clarkson’s P45 was designed for comedic sketches and actually worked, whereas Lexus’ entrant is supposed to be serious and does not appear to be functional.[/p]
[/p][p]The LS Micro is basically the gold wheelchair Professor X cruised around in the [i]X-Men[/i] comics or with a few more amenities. More officially, Lexus seems to view the single-seat vehicle more as an autonomous urban taxi than something owned by individual households. There aren’t any traditional controls to speak of. But it does come with a hilarious number of cupholders for just one person. [/p][p][br][/p][p]We counted a minimum of three. [/p][p][br][/p][p]It’s the least realistic of the three LS concepts by far and one that would assuredly be obliterated in a crash. Due to its size and fully enclosed cabin, it might actually be less safe than a motorcycle. You basically occupy the pod’s only crumple zone and would be riding with your back planted firmly on the battery pack used to power the vehicle. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Since it comes with a deployable ramp, it seems like Toyota was also trying to imply that this offered some usefulness for the disabled if configured. But it stinks of [url=https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/11/ttac-news-round-3/]the go-nowhere “mobility concepts” that began manifesting around 2015[/url]. These frequently came with false promises about improving the ability for the handicapped to navigate urban environments independently. [/p][p][br][/p][p]The rest of the time they were just modern rehashes of [url=https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/12/rare-rides-the-1984-honda-city-microscopic-cabriolet/]the 1981 Honda City with a collapsible, 49-cc Motocompo scooter tucked into the back[/url]. These were called “last-mile solutions” and were invariably pointless. While the LS Micro manages to avoid falling firmly into either category due to Lexus not saying much about it, we seriously doubt you’ll be seeing it put into production before the other two LS concept vehicles. [/p][p]
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