Lexus Eyes a 6-Wheel, Next-Gen Minivan Instead of the LS
The familiar LS is nearing the end of its current run, but Toyota is gearing up to introduce a new flagship model that will carry forward the iconic name.
The Lexus LS, long the automaker’s flagship sedan, is approaching the end of its era, marked by the release of a special Heritage Edition as a final farewell. But Lexus isn’t retiring the LS nameplate just yet. The brand has revealed the new LS Concept — and it’s a radical departure from the luxury sedan we’ve known. This isn’t a three-box sedan at all. In fact, it’s not even close. Lexus vision for the next generation of its flagship luxury is a six-wheeled minivan — a bold, unconventional move that’s equal parts surprising and oddly fitting for the brand’s current experimental spirit.
The Lexus LS Concept is one of several teasers unveiled ahead of the upcoming Japan Mobility Show, alongside an equally unexpected two-door Century coupe SUV and a reimagined Corolla Sedan concept. Each model offers a bold reinterpretation of Toyota’s most iconic nameplates. Yet even among these surprises, the LS Concept stands apart. Its six-wheel layout and van-like silhouette completely upend the design language traditionally associated with Lexus.
Chairman Toyoda Is Serious About Six Wheels
The LS Concept presents a tall, boxy profile, featuring a flat roofline and expansive body panels that highlight its roomy cabin. Drawing inspiration from the Lexus LM—available in markets outside the U.S.—the front end is dominated by vertical LED daytime running lights that stretch from bumper to hood, while the rear mirrors the design with towering light bars reaching toward the roof. The overall effect is less a conventional people mover and more a sleek, futuristic lounge on wheels.
A closer inspection reveals subtle asymmetry in the LS Concept’s bodywork: a large sliding door graces the passenger side, while the driver’s side remains smooth and unbroken. The three-wheel-per-side layout may sound outrageous for a luxury vehicle, yet Chairman Akio Toyoda has made it clear he wants to bring it to production. This is more than just a concept—it’s a bold statement of intent.
“If you use six wheels, the actual tire will be smaller and the space inside will be larger.”
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Toyota Motor Corporation
Because LS Doesn’t Actually Stand for “Luxury Sedan”
The LS Concept also represents a philosophical reset for Lexus. In discussions accompanying the teaser, Toyoda revealed that the “S” in “LS” doesn’t actually stand for “Sedan,” playfully noting that this is something many have simply assumed. When the original LS 400 debuted in 1989, it redefined refinement, quietness, and build quality—Toyota’s bold statement that it could rival the Germans at their own game. Today, Toyoda suggests that the LS’ flagship status isn’t tied to any specific body style, opening the door to radical new interpretations.
In this way, the LS Concept serves as a manifesto. Lexus is leveraging the six-wheeled marvel to redefine what flagship luxury can mean in the era of electrification. The LS name is evolving from “Luxury Sedan” to “Luxury Space,” and this concept embodies that vision. Indeed, Lexus is preparing a new flagship—and it’s shaping up to be an electric minivan, most likely rolling out with six wheels.
Fans can expect to see the Lexus LS Concept, alongside the Century coupe and Corolla Sedan concepts, at the Japan Mobility Show, taking place at the end of the month on October 29.
