As the world quietly watches the slow fade of the Lexus LS — the stately limousine that launched Toyota’s luxury crusade 36 years ago — the brand has decided to celebrate its heritage not with a nostalgic farewell, but with… a six-wheeled minivan. Yes, six. Wheels. On an LS.
Somewhere, a German engineer just spilled their espresso.
From Samurai Sedan to Super Shuttle
Back in 1989, the LS was Toyota’s moonshot — a four-door statement that Japan could out-Benz the Benz. Fast forward to 2025, and the people who once demanded walnut veneer and whisper-quiet V8s now want to be chauffeured in rolling spas with ambient lighting and built-in massage chairs. Preferably in something that looks like an airport lounge on wheels.
Enter the Lexus LM — the “Luxury Mover” — basically an Alphard that’s been sent to finishing school. But apparently, Lexus thought even that wasn’t extra enough. Because at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show (née Tokyo Motor Show), the company is rolling out what appears to be an LS-badged, six-wheeled, fully electric luxury van.
Think Rolls-Royce meets cyberpunk camper van. Then add two more wheels just to confuse everyone.
Six Wheels of (Questionable) Glory
During a recent 90-minute Lexus livestream — which we watched in full so you don’t have to — the long-teased LFR supercar was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a shadowy shape loomed out of the darkness: tall, boxy, and unmistakably weird. Cue the LS 6×6 Concept.
The design? Imagine a skyscraper in motion. The bodywork is upright and unapologetically rectangular, topped with a flat roofline that looks capable of hosting a rooftop sushi bar. The face is dominated by vertical LED DRLs that stretch from bumper to bonnet, while the taillight bar climbs skyward like an electric exclamation mark.
And then there’s the door layout — or lack thereof. The passenger side seems to forgo a conventional front door entirely, opting instead for a gigantic, power-sliding portal that opens onto what appears to be a cavernous, lounge-like interior. Judging by the proportions, this thing has more legroom than most Tokyo apartments.
EV Heart, Concept Soul
Lexus hasn’t spilled the specs, but it’s almost certainly electric. That makes sense: the extra battery packaging could justify that third axle while keeping the cabin as open and serene as a Kyoto tea house.
And make no mistake — this is not a production car. The third axle is pure theatre, a visual sledgehammer to make sure nobody mistakes this for your average family hauler. It’s concept-car madness, the sort of thing that makes you grin before you even understand why.
An LS in Name, Not in Nature
To call this a “flagship” is almost trolling. The LS name once meant refinement, restraint, and quiet confidence. Now it’s been strapped to something that looks like it escaped from a designer’s fever dream. Purists will wail. The internet will meme. Lexus will shrug — because, frankly, this is the kind of weird the world needs right now.
What Else is Coming
The LS 6×6 Concept won’t be alone on stage. Lexus is also showing off a Century Coupe — basically Japan’s answer to a Bentley Continental — and possibly a reimagined Corolla concept. But let’s be honest: it’s the six-wheeler that will dominate the headlines.
Because when Lexus says goodbye to its original flagship, it’s not doing it quietly. It’s doing it with six wheels, three axles, and a wink to the future.
Source: Lexus