There’s nothing more than making a statement of your arrival than owning a just-launched new Lexus LM500h luxury MPV. Priced at over RM1.4 Million, the Lexus LM500h makes interstate highway travel a first-class affair.
Essentially, the Lexus LM500h luxury MPV combines the qualities of a flagship limousine with the immense spaciousness of an MPV. A large part of the appeal of the Lexus LM was rooted in its design as well as sophisticated features, which extended the principles of Lexus’ Omotenashi hospitality. With a focus on providing impeccable comfort whilst enhancing passengers’ well-being through the ultimate in mobile hospitality, the Lexus LM sets the bar for customers looking for a class-leading vehicle to fulfil both their lifestyle and mobility requirements.
Since its debut, the luxury MPV has garnered impressive sales with 16,114 units sold globally thus far. Equally impressive is its proven sales record in both the region with 2,788 units and Malaysia with a total of 32 units sold to date. Those numbers are assured to climb even further with the launch of the new flagship model on Malaysian shores.
LUXURY MOBILITY NOW AVAILABLE FOR FOUR OR SEVEN PEOPLE
The new Lexus LM is now available in a choice of two variants by Lexus Malaysia. Customers can select the ultimate in four-seater mobility, the Lexus LM500 with its inviting 2-2 seating or the seven-seater LM350h that delivers a whole new level of family motoring with its 2-2-3 seating configuration.
Both variants boast self-charging hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains that deliver whisper quietness while delivering refined driving performance with high efficiency. The LM500h is equipped with a 2.4-litre 4-cyclinder in-line Turbo Hybrid petrol engine with Direct 4 All-Wheel Drive. The engine generates a powerful 371hp and 460Nm of torque on tap, all the while keeping its fuel economy in check
On the other hand, the LM350h comes with a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre 4 cylinder in-line full Hybrid. With power delivered to the front wheels, the LM350h balances the scales of both driving performance and fuel efficiency.
AN IMPACTFUL APPEARANCE
Lexus designers have refreshed the appearance of the LM, bringing the Next Chapter design that features a unique and distinctive identity along with luxurious proportions.
Standout design features include a new frontal appearance accentuated by a new Spindle Body. Made without a frame, the grille is unified with the bodyshell through a satin-effect method of hot stamping, which is a Lexus first.
The new Lexus LM sits on elegant 19-inch Multi-Spoke Mesh Aluminium Wheels and is available in four exterior colours – Graphite Black Glass Flake, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Quartz and Sonic Agate.
Affording the new Lexus LM with a slimmer and sleeker frontal appearance, new high performance 3- Beam LED Projector Headlamps blend harmoniously with the spindle body. Both the turn signal lamp and Daytime Running Lights feature the outward-facing bi-functional L-signature design. The new model also gets Omotenashi illumination, which activates the clearance lamps when the doors are unlocked.
Further streamlining the vehicle design whilst providing added convenience, both the outside rear passenger sliding door now features a ‘see-saw’ type switch deliver intuitive operability. The outside front door handle also adopts an e-Latch System with SEA (Safe Exit Assist) function, which helps mitigate any untoward collisions from vehicles approaching from the rear.
FIRST-CLASS INTERIOR
From the thoughtful appointments to the signature Takumi craftsmanship, all aspects of the new Lexus LM has been thoughtfully tailored to deliver the best mobility experience for customers. The ultimate goal of designers was to provide the highest level of Omotenashi hospitality on wheels.
The modern, serene and opulent cabin environment takes on a minimalist uncluttered appearance, allowing customers to utilise it as a living space, mobile office or both. Embellished with premium materials such as Gin Sui Boku to ‘Yabane’ Ornamentation (Herringbone Wood), the Lexus LM is enhanced with an exquisite and detailed appearance. The interiors can also be specified in either Black or Solis White.
Novel interior features of the new Lexus LM include a built-in thermistor for the steering wheel, an independent glass roof and integrated sunshade to enhance the wide open feel for passengers within the cabin. Each rear passenger is afforded their own multi-operation panel and these are removable for easy viewing of cabin functions such as air-conditioning, seat posture and lighting. The new 48-inch Ultrawide Display fitted in the LM500 features a dual screen function to offer an outstanding display experience and multimedia viewing.
The interior of the LM500h luxury MPV has 4 seats, with a focus on the two rear passenger seats. Maximized use is made of the tall interior to provide a space resembling a modern living room. The position and design of the seats are critical to the quality of the on-board experience. The two rear passenger seats in the LM500h luxury MPV are inspired by the seats in first-class airline cabins and are among the most advanced and comfortable ever offered in a Lexus model. They have been developed with detailed analysis of passenger body movement using data based on motion capture and sensory evaluation.
There is a partition separating the front section with a glass panel that can be raised or lowered as well as dimmed for added privacy. The partition, with a die-cast magnesium frame for extra rigidity, also houses a 48-inch wide-screen display set at a level which allows a comfortable viewing angle of 15 degrees from horizontal. The partition is designed so that the forward view can be maintained even when watching the wide-screen.
For the 7-seater LM350h, the layout has two seats in the second row and three seats in the third row. Like the seats in the LM500h, the quality and design of the seats in the LM350h are comparable to first class airline seats.
As the usage of the 7-seater is envisaged to be for family outings or as a mobile office, there is a lot of variability in the seat configurations. They can be folded completely flat and with the Power Long Slide Rail (a world first), the seats can be positioned over a range of more than 480 mm.
SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES EXPANDED WITH RADAR AND CAMERA
The new LM is equipped with the latest generation of the Lexus Safety System + (LSS+) which is an integrated Active Safety and Driver Assistance system. For this second generation, LSS+ has had its capabilities greatly expanded with new technologies, especially imaging technologies (radar and camera) that can provide better recognition of pedestrians and objects around the vehicle. For example, the system can now detect and alert the driver of bicycle riders at night (not possible before) as well as motorcyclists in the daytime, besides pedestrians. The operating scope also lowers driving stress and tension, helping reduce fatigue and maintain driver alertness.
The Pre-Collision System (PCS) which detects a possible collision with another vehicle or road-user now has significantly enhanced capabilities to reduce accidents. Its primary function is to detect and warn the driver and if no action is taken, activate braking measures automatically to decelerate and stop the vehicle.
The latest PCS now has Intersection Assistance which operates when crossing at junctions. Like Rear Cross Traffic Alert, it will detect approaching traffic from either side and also oncoming traffic; the driver will be alerted and if the vehicle is not stopped, the brakes will be applied to stop it, avoiding a possible collision. This pro-active feature works with both vehicles as well as pedestrians.
The new Lexus LM350h and Lexus LM500h luxury MPV is priced from RM1,228,000 and RM1,468,000 respectively. Extraordinary pricing for an extraordinary MPV.
