A business tourer with an enhanced sense of luxury and driving performance
The new Lexus LM, which boasts overwhelming popularity as a show car, was displayed at the NAPAC booth at Osaka Auto Messe 2024. Among them, we would like to introduce the Lexus LM created by tuning parts manufacturer BLITZ.
Filled with the kind of thought that is typical of tuning parts manufacturers
The vehicle is priced at a whopping 20 million yen (including consumption tax). The Lexus LM, which had already been launched overseas as an executive minivan and boasted overwhelming popularity as a show car, was introduced in Japan as a new LM to coincide with the full model change of the base Alphard/Vellfire. The annual sales volume for Japan is 7,000 units, and delivery is currently rumored to be four to eight months. Three Lexus LMs, which are rarely seen on the streets, were on display at the NAPAC (Nippon Auto Parts Aftermarket Committee) booth at the Osaka Auto Messe, with HKS, BLITZ, and TOM’S displaying their unique customizations based on their concepts, attracting the attention of visitors.
BLITZ’s development concept is a “fusion of sports and luxury”. The front grille’s elongated hexagonal accents each incorporate RGB LEDs, and the playful ‘gradient illumination’, whose color can be changed to seven different colors using a dedicated controller, and the front face embedded in the light bars above and below it is a sight to behold. But there is also a twist to the body. The Satin Pearl White color is a wrapping. It has a luster that could be mistaken for paint, and the quality is extremely high.
Also, all exterior chrome parts are blacked out. It looks normal, but when compared to the original, it is indeed a solid addition to the number of hands. This is complemented by a carbon front lip spoiler, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler, and by keeping the overall monotone, a chic and sporty impression is created.
As for the engine, as it is turbocharged, a power throttle was used to increase boost and pick-up. The suspension is fitted with a ZZ-R AIR Spec DSC PLUS with a coupling that raises the front ride height by 30 mm while lowering it by approximately 50 mm compared to stock (prototype). ‘Wouldn’t the air suspension solve these problems?’
“As a parts manufacturer, we want to make sure the legs are moving properly with the ride height adjustable dampers.”
Blitz believes that mechanical legs are still superior to air suspension when the quality of the ride is taken into consideration.
Although the brakes were prototypes, a Big Caliper KIT II was installed on the front and a Big Rotor KIT on the rear. As you would expect from a tuning parts manufacturer, no stone has been left unturned in improving the quality of the driving experience.
The interior not only pursues a high-class feel but is also highly practical
The interior was tailored with the idea of “how to enrich the time spent in the limited space inside the car”, and the brass panels on the monitor and overhead console, handmade by a metal craftsman, are eye-catching. The decorations are based on the motif of driving speed, expressing the fusion of driving and luxury in the interior as well.
By the way, the LEDs built into the overhead console are linked to the LED bar below the monitor and can be color-coded. The floor mats are made of soft rug mats, another easy-to-understand arrangement of luxury.
By the way, a 4K camera is installed under the monitor and a PC is also installed for online meetings in the car. The center armrest also incorporates elements of a business tourer, such as a DSC (damping force) controller that allows the driver to adjust the ride comfort to his or her liking at the touch of a switch.
However, this demo car is only a proposal of Blitz’s show car style, and except for the suspension, brakes, and engine-related items, there are no plans at this stage to sell any parts on the market. It would be nice to see the commercialization of the parts, including aero/electronics parts.
translated by DeepL
