Radical Lexus LS Concepts Unveiled in Tokyo

The Lexus LS has been reborn in the form of three new concepts unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show, including a luxury people mover, an SUV with coupe styling, and even a single-passenger, three-wheeled pod. 

Lexus first teased the radical, six-wheeled people mover concept ahead of the show earlier this month, wearing the badge historically assigned to their flagship sedan. 

The people mover concept uses four smaller wheels at the back as opposed to two conventionally-sized wheels to improve packaging, freeing up floor space in the cabin.

According to Chief Branding Officer, Simon Humphries, LS no longer stands for ‘Luxury Sedan’ when it comes to the people-mover concept, instead meaning ‘Luxury Space.’ 

“Lexus has always been about more than just four wheels,” said Humphries during the Lexus presentation.

“We have never shied away from a challenge to discover new products, new services, new experiences. And now to redefine our flagship. An LS that no longer stands for Luxury Sedan nor Luxury SUV, but rather for Luxury Space.” 

Inside, there are three rows of seats, seemingly available in multiple forms and configurations, including captain’s chairs or traditional three-seat rows, as well as a minimalist cockpit featuring a yoke steering wheel design. 

Joining it on the stage in Tokyo was the LS Coupe Concept, an SUV with coupe-like styling. 

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It features an angular, futuristic design, rear-hinged doors, and a similarly minimalist yet modern interior to its people mover stablemate, once again complete with a yoke steering wheel, a dual-screen driver’s display as well as a front passenger’s display, and two large screens on the front row seat backs. 

Arguably, the most radical design of the three is the LS Micro, a three-wheeled autonomous luxury vehicle with seating for one, designed for tight city streets or areas where traditional cars aren’t allowed to drive. 

Its occupant enters through the front of the vehicle, with a ramp at the front folding forward while its canopy slides rearward and opens upward. The LS Micro features two wheels housed in square coverings at the front with a third wheel at the rear. 

Official specifications and technical details for each of the concepts have not been revealed by Lexus, but initial reports suggest the LS people mover and Coupe concepts at least, have been designed with multiple powertrain options in mind. This could theoretically include electric, hybrid, and internal combustion powertrains.