Lexus LS may turn into a six-wheel MPV, so why does the LS Concept use a six-wheel design?

[PCauto] Before the 2025 Tokyo Auto Show (Japan Mobility Show), Lexus announced that its flagship model, the LS, will abandon the traditional sedan form and transition into a six-wheel electric MPV concept car.  The strategic shift of the LS, Lexus' flagship sedan, has taken many by surprise.

Who says "S" can only stand for Sedan?

Akio Toyoda recently stated during a live broadcast: "Who says 'S' can only stand for sedan?"  This rhetorical question reveals the reason behind the LS's transformation.

In Akio Toyoda's vision for the future, Lexus will not merely serve as Toyota's premium brand, but will take on more ambitious missions to explore the future of mobility.

Therefore, the "S" in LS has been redefined as "SPACE", symbolizing space and an exploratory spirit, replacing its traditional meaning of "Sedan".

This shift aligns with the evolution of the Lexus LM. While the LM is based on the Toyota Alphard platform, the new LS Concept will be independently developed, aiming to create a flagship product that surpasses existing MPVs.

What are the advantages of the six-wheel design adopted by the LS Concept?

The LS Concept features a single-box body with a six-wheel layout, offering significantly increased wheelbase and interior space compared to the existing LM model, along with sliding side doors and a three-row independent seat configuration.

The LS Concept design team drew inspiration from lunar rovers, adopting an asymmetrical six-wheel structure: a double-diameter main wheel on the front axle for traction and two groups of smaller wheels on the rear axle for enhanced stability.

This engineering imparts three major advantages:

First, the six-wheel layout ensures superior traversability in complex road conditions;

Second, the extended wheelbase delivers a cargo capacity that rivals that of a light passenger van;

Third, the distinctive design confers an unprecedented level of visual recognition.

Although Lexus hasn't disclosed the powertrain details, the positioning on a purely electric platform suggests that the battery layout must be meticulously coordinated with the six-wheel drive system. Balancing quietness, MPV-level interior space needs, and multi-wheel drive energy consumption will be the defining factor for successful mass production.

Notably, Toyota has previously applied six-wheel technology only to the Lunar Cruiser moon rover, making this move toward commercialization a bold endeavor.

Why Did Lexus Launch Such a… Monster Like the LS Concept?

In fact, global sales of the Lexus LS have been on a downward trend in recent years.

Since its peak around the year 2000, sales of the Lexus LS have been in a persistent decline. The model is now trapped in a vicious cycle: low sales volume makes it difficult to cover R&D costs, which in turn leads to further production cuts.

In 2024, the global sales of the LS were about 5,000 units, only a tenth of its peak. By the first half of 2025, LS sales in the U.S. market were merely 691 units, a sharp 42.3% decline year-on-year. In the European market (e.g., the UK), annual sales were as low as 39 units.

Facing plummeting sales, Lexus announced in September 2025 that it would officially cease production of the LS series starting in 2026, offering only a limited run of 250 units of the "Heritage Edition" as the final version, marking the impending departure of this Japanese luxury flagship, which first debuted in 1989.

In addition, the global sedan market is also shrinking. According to the mainstream electric vehicle market  data for the first half of 2025, the market share of sedans in the global light vehicle market has dropped to 40.13%, falling below SUVs at 42.35% for the first time. Among them, SUVs now account for over 45% of total car sales in Europe and the US, while in China, their share has reached 45.8%.

In essence, the combination of weak sales for the Lexus LS and a shrinking sedan market compelled Lexus to abandon direct competition with the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Instead, the company pivoted to pioneering a new segment, giving rise to the LS Concept.

This is how Lexus views the future of the automotive market

China, as a key market, continues to see growing demand for luxury MPVs. Brands such as Buick, Volvo, and Denza have already established a presence in this segment. Additionally, the growing prominence of models like the Zeekr 009 and XPeng X9 reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences towards generous interior space and a sense of exclusivity.

In response to these market changes, Akio Toyoda stated that the demands of contemporary consumers are defined by their focus on rear-seat privacy and versatility. MPVs are uniquely positioned to deliver precisely these kinds of intimate spaces.

Therefore, the Lexus LS Concept adopts a three-row six-seat independent layout, with each passenger enjoying their own dedicated space, and features sliding electric side doors to optimize entry and exit convenience. In terms of design, everything is centered on the principle of space-first.

From a broader perspective, Lexus believes that future consumers will move beyond traditional sedans and SUVs, in pursuit of mobile spaces that offer greater personalization and functionality.

Will the Prophecy of LS Concept Come True?

The unveiling of LS Concept has left many perplexed by Toyota's decision.

But don't forget, as a car manufacturer with annual global sales exceeding 10 million units, Toyota has a remarkable track record, largely free of strategic missteps.

In 1997, Toyota launched the Hybrid model, ensuring it wouldn't fall behind in the trend of automotive electrification like Volkswagen.

With the 1994 launch of the RAV4, Toyota pioneered the modern urban SUV for the global mass market. Its innovative use of a Corolla-derived chassis proved to be a masterstroke, creating a segment that achieved immense worldwide success. Even in 2024, it managed to become the world's best-selling car of the year with 1.187 million units sold, surpassing the Tesla Model Y (1.185 million units).

Based on Toyota's past successful experience, accepting the prophecy of the LS Concept may not be such an outrageous idea (except for the six-wheel design).