RM 1.15 mil for a dolled-up Alphard? 4-seater 2021 Lexus LM 350 heading to Malaysia

Though it looks similar and shares a powertrain with the Toyota Alphard, the 2021 Lexus LM350 that's coming to Malaysia is even more of a house-on-wheels than the Alphard. It's a pretty penny too, with prices to start at RM 1.15 million. 

Should you be one of the privileged few to own one - bookings are now open, and Lexus Malaysia is expected to launch the LM350 in Q2 2021 (around April next year, with deliveries starting in June).

You won't see this luxury MPV on Lexus Malaysia's site just yet - we got all this information from a dealer prior to Lexus Malaysia's official announcement.

At that price, the LM350 is roughly RM 135k more expensive than the 2020 Lexus LS500 Luxury, which goes for RM 1.013 million. 

For that money, buyers will get lots of chrome bits around its sharply-designed exterior, with raking LED head lamps flanking Lexus' signature spindle grille up front.

The back looks cleaner than the Alphard too, thanks to redesigned tail lights. 

Capping off the look are 18-inch wheels wrapped in 235/50 profile tyres.

Powering the LM350 (nothing Le Mans about it) is the same 3.5-litre, V6 found in the Alphard (2GR-FKS). There's 300 PS and 361 Nm on tap with power sent to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

As is Lexus tradition, most of the drama happens in the interior. So far, we know that Malaysia will only receive the four-seater variant (other markets can opt for a 7-seater) but it's no less luxurious. 

See that huge TV-like thing there? That's the electronically-operated privacy partition seperating the rear occupants from the front.

In it, there's a 26-inch LCD screen for "business discussion", an onboard refrigerator and storage areas. 

In order to partake in said "business discussions" are captain seats with AdaptiPedic comfort foams wrapped in semi-Aniline leather. The seats can recline to become flat beds - combined with massage function and air-cooling, it sure is the best place to be for long journeys. 

The console between the seats can be used to control the seats' functions, climate-control and the 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound sytem. 

Safety wise, there's a slew of tech including forward collision warning (FCW), dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC), lane-departure assist (LDA), blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (BSM, RCTA) and auto high beam (AHB). 

Since we're on the topic of luxury cars, why don't you also take a look at this list outlining what luxury cars are launching in Malaysia in 2021.