Picture this scenario: it’s late into the night, and perhaps you’ve indulged in one too many adult beverages. In such moments, you reach for your trusty Uber app, summoning a ride to whisk you away. Moments later, a 2024 Lexus LM luxury van gracefully glides to a halt outside the Taco Bell you’ve just conquered with an entire taco party pack.
As the LM’s sliding side door glides open, it reveals an opulent interior, featuring a pair of lounge-like chairs strategically positioned in front of a generous 48-inch screen. This screen, set on a partition, demarcates the rear passengers from their counterparts in the front. With a simple lift of the privacy glass, you nestle into these inviting seats, equipped with temperature-sensing technology. Elevate the redesigned ottoman for extended comfort and find yourself lulled into slumber, thanks to the new van’s hushed cabin that cocoons you from the bustling external world.
Regrettably, for those of us residing in the United States, the privilege of luxuriating in the second-generation Lexus LM, which made its debut at the Shanghai auto show, remains a distant dream. While the U.S. boasts ultra-luxurious sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-class and extravagant SUVs such as the Bentley Bentayga, it lacks counterparts in the van category, akin to the LM.
Interestingly, Lexus is broadening the LM’s availability by introducing it in more than 60 countries, a roster that now includes Europe and Japan. In these fortunate locales, individuals can savor the numerous enhancements accompanying the van’s second iteration. These improvements encompass a structure boasting 50 percent more rigidity and a novel suspension system designed to enhance ride comfort and minimize vibrations. Furthermore, a distinct drive mode dedicated to rear-seat comfort has been introduced, adept at altering damping forces and curtailing sensations caused by acceleration and braking.
In the pursuit of maintaining an oasis of serenity within the LM’s cabin, Lexus has made a concerted effort to reduce noise from various sources, notably those emanating from the road and the wind. Soundproofing measures have been bolstered, while the engines and their mounts have been meticulously tuned to suppress noise and vibrations. Both engine options are hybrid configurations, with one employing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, while the other, presumably, offers enhanced power courtesy of its 2.4-liter turbo-four gas engine.
When it comes to aesthetics, there’s no mistaking the LM for anything other than a quintessential Lexus creation. The brand has achieved this distinction with a design that might be the boldest interpretation yet of its signature spindle grille. In a departure from convention, Lexus allows the body color to flow seamlessly into the grille, simultaneously minimizing the gaps between its various elements. In terms of dimensions, the LM measures a substantial 201.8 inches in length, 74.4 inches in width, and stands at approximately 77 inches in height. While these figures surpass the previous model, the wheelbase remains steadfast at 118.1 inches.
A cursory glance is all it takes to recognize that the Lexus LM is undeniably a substantial van. This ample size translates into an equally commodious interior, offering significantly more room for various activities compared to its Mercedes or Bentley counterparts. While corporate honchos and affluent individuals who prefer a chauffeur-driven experience may opt for the four-seat configuration, the LM generously caters to six to seven passengers.
Whether you find yourself enveloped in the gentle embrace of the van’s diverse ambient lighting themes or deftly controlling the climate and sunshades using one of the two available touchscreen controllers, the 2024 Lexus LM appears poised to deliver an experience that remains tantalizingly beyond the reach of the American populace. It’s an experience that the country’s vociferous influencers cannot hope to replicate with their obligatory #vanlife posts. Instead, we must content ourselves with daydreaming about this luxurious van and its potential to redefine the quintessential Uber journey.
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