Limousines are great and all but in this modern age, luxury MPVs are the new status symbol of the rich and famous. Toyota pioneered the segment with the Alphard and Vellfire that eventually led to the pinnacle of these luxo-boxes on wheels, the Lexus LM. Now, Toyota has somewhat taken the LM and transformed it back into a Vellfire in the form of the Vellfire Spacious Lounge concept.

Say what now?

Well, it’s not precisely that but it’s not much of a stretch to explain it that way either.

The Lexus LM took the 3-row Toyotas and tossed out the last row, making it strictly a four-seater with the two business-class chairs for the rear occupants and ample legroom. The LM also portioned off the rear cabin and fitted a 48-inch screen.

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Now that the new AH40 series of the Alphard and Vellfire are here, Toyota has given us the LM version but also confusingly gave the same treatment to the latter whilst keeping the Toyota emblem. Dimensionally, the concept is identical to the standard Vellfire and rides on the TNGA-K platform.

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Once again, the third row is deleted and the two futuristic ottoman seats in the middle are moved back for more legroom, an extra 500 mm of it. The middle consoles of the seat house detachable smartphone-like power controls, pull-down blinds and a multi-function table. There’s even a massage function for the rear seats. Ingress and egress are via new retractable side steps.

Luxury touches include speakers built into the rear headrests as part of the 15-spear JBL sound system, a mini-fridge storage for two bottles of champagnes in the rear of the front centre console and an area to hang coats in the cargo area.

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However, unlike the Lexus LM, the Vellfire Spacious Lounge doesn’t have a solid partition or huge screen between the driver and passenger. Instead, it’s fitted with a simple curtain behind the front seats.

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For those moments the big boss in the rear needs to get some work done on the go, there are foldable tables and power outlets integrated in the rear.

Beneath the seats, floor trays let you neatly store any small luggage or shoes. Going barefoot in the Vellfire Spacious Lounge is most welcome, as it’s supposed to be like a home on wheels and the thick carpeting is supple yet lends supreme sound insulation.