On Friday 6 October 2023, the new Lexus LM was launched at the Lexus Boutique at 33 Leng Kee Road. Also newly introduced was the Lexus VIP Lounge.

Ng Khee Siong, Interim Managing Director of Inchcape Singapore, said, “From the very onset, the Inchcape Singapore team has been wholeheartedly dedicated to creating exceptional experiences for all our valued customers.”

“This is in line with Lexus’ core principle of ‘Pushing Boundaries’, as we collectively redefine standards. The all-new Lexus LM represents the pinnacle of ride comfort, and we are delighted to introduce unparalleled Comfort, Control and Confidence to our prestige customers in Singapore. This is also paired with the Lexus VIP Lounge, a private suite exclusively designed to elevate our customer experience at our showroom.”

Gracing the event was Lexus International LM Chief Engineer Mr. Takami Yokoo, who flew in from Japan for this launch. “The all-new Lexus LM was conceived with the concept of a mobile space where individuals can truly be themselves in comfort,” Mr. Takami Yokoo said. Under the guidance of Mr. Yokoo, the Lexus LM was tailored to create a deluxe interior that is as relaxing as a living room with all the convenience of a productive mobile office – exemplifying the brand’s pursuit of Making Luxury Personal. This high-end private oasis of relaxation brings forth the next evolution in luxury transport, reflecting Lexus’ commitment to delivering exceptional experiences.

In keeping with the Lexus Omotenashi hospitality philosophy of welcoming and caring for guests as one would in their own home, Lexus Singapore unveiled the first-ever Lexus VIP Lounge. Designed as an exclusive space to accommodate privileged customers during previews and deliveries, the Lexus VIP Lounge offers a touch of personalised service, and access to the suite will be exclusively by invitation and appointment only.

Built upon Toyota’s GA-K platform and powered by a 2.5-litre hybrid engine that puts out a combined 247hp and 239Nm of torque, the LM 350h has been tuned for quietness and comfort of its occupants. To counter road noise around the tyres, the engine and its related mounts underwent precise tuning to reduce vibrations while acoustic glass was used to help reduce high-frequency wind noise.

In a first for Lexus, the LM features an “AVS Suspension with Frequency-Sensitive Piston Valve” and “Rear Comfort” drive mode. The former combines an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) actuator and a frequency-sensitive piston valve in the shock absorber to provide excellent ride quality regardless of speed, achieved by meticulously dampening and reducing vibration over a wide range of frequencies.

The latter enables an emphasis on rear-seat comfort through the dampening force characteristics of the AVS, while integrated control of the accelerator pedal and brake is said to reduce occupants’ posture changes during acceleration and deceleration. We’ll know more when we drive the LM.

The middle row features two captain’s chairs for supreme comfort and VIP-ness. For example, “Rear Climate Concierge” is a one-stop integrated control that ensures the luxurious cabin environment is precisely controlled for elements such as air-conditioning, sunshades, ambient illumination and seat position.

The chairs themselves feature two types of shock-absorbing materials for gentle support from standstill to motion.

A 14-inch ceiling mounted high-definition rear screen, in combination with the bespoke Mark Levinson Reference 3D Surround Sound System with 21 speakers allow rear seat occupants to indulge in their favourite tunes or movies while on the move.

Furthermore, a panoramic roof with dual individual panoramic glass located just above the rear seats lends airiness to the cabin.

Passengers can control either of the roof windows or both effortlessly via switches on the front or rear overhead console and the rear multi-operation panel.

The Lexus LM 350h is priced from $510,800 without COE (accurate at the time of article). For more information, contact Lexus Singapore.

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The MAXUS MIFA 9 is SAIC Motor‘s first export model out of China. Interesting, then, that a seven-seat multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was chosen to represent the company’s maiden overseas foray – probably due in no small part to the success of the likes of Toyota’s upmarket Alphard and Velfire MPVs.

There’s only one realistic electric vehicle (EV) MPV competitor in Singapore’s market, and that is the Mercedes-Benz EQV 300 at nearly $166,000 more.

In comparison, the MIFA 9 looks like a relative bargain next to the Merc.

Massive Proportions

At 5,270mm length and 2,000mm width, the MIFA 9 is notably longer and wider than the latest-generation Toyota Alphard. While its 1,840mm height is slightly shorter than the latter, meaning multistorey HDB carparks are a cinch to get into, expect the MIFA 9 to take up every bit of a parking spot and look absolutely imposing while doing so, especially in the test vehicle’s sinister crimson hue called Dynasty Red.

Things are still massive round the back. Slab-sidedness gives way to interesting design details on the tailgate, and the LED taillight arrangement also helps break up what is essentially a tall and wide flat panel.

All Aboard!

In seven-seat configuration, the boot is said to be able to accommodate up to four large suitcases stood upright.

The rearmost seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split to take on more luggage while still being able to seat five or six passengers respectively.

Curiously, MAXUS doesn’t quote an actual number for the boot space, but it does look rather large.

Sitting three across in the back is relatively easy, with this last row getting cupholders in the armrests and aircon vents on either side.

However, the centre row is where premium travel happens. Two captain’s chairs with seat heating, ventilation and massage cocoon their occupants in great comfort for that quintessential airport transfer to the hotel after a long flight or vice-versa.

They’re electrically adjustable, and legroom is certainly generous back here, even with the driver’s seat set pretty much all the way back and some ways up to accommodate my longer-of-limbs and shorter-of-torso 1.82-metre tall frame.

There are aircon controls just above the front seats for the rear of the MIFA 9. A large panoramic sunroof lets natural light in to lift the airiness of the cabin back here so that the executive occupants do not feel restricted in any way.

In this Luxury variant, the front seats don’t feature cooling and massage functions, but we’re told that a Premium version is on the way that offers those.

No matter though, for these seats are pretty much as cosseting as those in the second row, and are easily adjusted electrically to one’s preference.

Where things start to show some cracks is with the software. For example, two very welcome features, namely adaptive cruise control and ‘Super Cruise,’ are available by flicking the drive lever down once and twice respectively, with the latter autonomously steering the MIFA 9 with a light touch on the steering wheel.

However there’s no way to pause these functions without stepping on the brake. The ‘Res’ or resume function also did not work during my drive, necessitating the drive lever to be flicked down again to re-enable adaptive cruise, and the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons to be pressed to adjust the desired cruising speed.

The set-speed indicator on the top-right of the instrument screen is also very small and difficult to read.

After certain assist systems are turned off, they’re turned back on during the next restart. Perhaps it would be better to have these settings remember their previous state, so each driver can have their own customisability.

Same goes for the regenerative braking or regen, which defaults to ‘High’ every time the doors are locked and unlocked. A shortcut for regen settings in the pull-down menu on the infotainment screen would also be appreciated.

Don’t get me wrong, the user interface or UI is mostly great! It’s the user experience or UX that needs some additional work.

Thankfully, and most likely, these are software issues that can be rather easily fixed. That said, considering this is MAXUS’ maiden export model, their first attempt has to be commended.

Smooth Sailing

Even though it’s not fitted with air suspension, the MIFA 9 glides down roads and highways as though it is – it is THAT comfortable!

However, one would be mistaken to think that this MPV is a land yacht, for it can also take corners smartly and even power out of them, much to the surprise of yours truly and other drivers. The chassis engineers at MAXUS responsible for how this MPV is set up to drive and ride deserve an award.

The MIFA 9 cruises quietly as well, being an EV. Its Continental EcoContact 6 tyres do a good job of remaining silent over all but the coarsest of tarmac, adding to the comfort factor of this MPV. A teeny tiny bit of wind noise was noticed creeping in through the upper seals on the driver’s door, but with one’s favourite tunes playing through the JBL sound system, this is a non-issue.

The view out from inside the cabin is good and head-checks are pretty easy, assisted by the blind spot monitoring system to ensure other vehicles are not alongside when filtering lanes.

Parking is also made easy thanks to the 360-degree camera system with parking sensors, and one must rely on the on-screen image to make sure one is properly parked due to the MIFA 9’s aforementioned dimensions. One quirk here is that the audio system is muted while reversing, instead of the playing track being paused, which means the current song picks up further down the track than one would expect.

Propelling the MIFA 9 is a single electric motor driving the front wheels while putting down 241hp and 350Nm of torque. That sounds like a lot for an MPV, but taking its 2.4-ton weight into consideration, acceleration is brisk rather than alarmingly quick with the 0-100km/h sprint being dispatched in a claimed 9.2 seconds.

Contributing to its weight and the aforementioned corner-stability is a massive 90kWh battery pack that’s mounted low down in the chassis, thereby lowering the MIFA 9’s centre of gravity. The battery pack can be charged at a maximum of 11kW on AC and 120kW on DC, with MAXUS quoting a 20-80% charge time of 25 minutes at a 120kW DC charger.

My own experience at a 100kW DC charger saw charging start at 26% battery level. 57.2kWh of electricity was then added in 54 minutes, with the MPV’s battery management system quoting 1 hour 9 minutes to take the battery from 30% to a full charge.

What about energy consumption while out and about then? MAXUS doesn’t actually quote a combined consumption figure, but they do claim a WLTP range of 435km from the 90kWh battery pack. This essentially means 20.7kWh/100km or 4.83km/kWh, which I was able to slightly better at 19.8kWh/100km or 5km/kWh over a test-driven 557km. Naturally, how and where the MIFA 9 is driven will determine the actual consumption one manages to achieve, but the remaining-range indicator on the instrument screen is accurate and can be trusted.

Limousine-service operators looking to move away from internal combustion to EVs would do well to give the MIFA 9 a good look. Is that a negative for private customers? Not at all! Let’s put it this way: if a limo company chooses the MIFA 9 to transport executives and VIPs around in comfort and luxury, that’s saying something isn’t it? Add to that the five-year or 100,000km bumper to bumper warranty AND the eight-year or 200,000km battery warranty (with the “whichever comes first” proviso), and you’re looking at many miles of worry-free motoring.

The MIFA 9 is promising for sure and a very good first export-model by SAIC Motors. If one demands the same accoutrements for the front seats that are present in the middle row, hold off for the highest spec variant but also expect to pay a premium for the Premium.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Technical Specifications

MAXUS MIFA 9 Luxury
Power: 241hp
Torque: 350Nm
Drive: Front wheels
Battery: 90kW
Estimated Range (WLTP): 435km (claimed)
Kerb Weight: 2,410kg
0-100km/h: 9.2 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 180km/h (claimed)
Price: S$296,999 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: MAXUS Singapore

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It seems like only yesterday when electric vehicles (EVs) first hit the market. Now, with more countries and individuals touting electrification as “the future”, automotive manufacturers are pushing out new EVs by the dozen. Not wanting to miss out on a big share of the EV pie, Mercedes has also ramped up development and is going all in on their new electric EQ lineup.

With the EQA and EQC already on the market, effectively electric copies of their popular ICE counterparts, it was only a matter of time before Mercedes turned their attention to the GLB. Sure enough, the EQB was born.

Does it live up to the perceived high standards of the German three-pointed star? Let’s find out.

Electrifying silent drive

While its GLB sibling has to make do with a 1.3-litre petrol engine shared with Renault and Nissan, which was known to be quite boisterous and unrefined, the EQB leaves it in the dust with its newfound electric powers.

Even in its EQB250 guise with just a single front-mounted motor, 140kW (188bhp) and 385 Nm of torque is still plenty to get it briskly off the line. At full chat, the EQB can complete the century sprint in 8.9 seconds. Not too shabby for a single-motor 7-seater. Parking is a simple affair in this thing too, with good all-around visibility and a myriad of sensors to detect any speck of dust you would run into.

One thing I will commend the EQB for is its ride quality. Being a family-centric car, the EQB has pretty soft suspension, MacPhersons in the front and multi-link out back, which cushion out bumps and kinks in the road well. Plus, having the advantage of being an EV meant the ride was virtually silent, and without unnecessary vibrations.

Like most EVs on the market, the EQB is fuss-free when you’re going about your daily chores. It’s a relaxing car to cover long distances in (as long as it stays in Singapore), and a fully juiced battery should provide you with about 350km of range. In my time with the car, I averaged about 19.3kWh/100km, and that’s without eco-friendly pedal discipline.

Of course, this isn’t a car you would want to tear up B-roads in. But, being a little more enthusiastic in the corners, the EQB still held its composure well unlike other Mercedes EQ models such as the EQC. This is partially thanks to all that battery weight being low down under the floor, resulting in a lower centre of gravity. 

As long as you’re not hyping yourself up to be the next Micheal Schumacher on the roads, the EQB does well in delivering a dignified and relaxing drive.

Shockingly comfortable on the inside

While it is tamer in performance compared to other EVs on the market, the EQB has two major advantages going for it, and that is comfort and space. This is the first EV in Singapore with room for 7 in the cabin. So not only is the EQB able to carry your entire family nucleus around, but it also does so in silent comfort, with a ride quality befitting of the three-pointed star badge. 

Young ones will be sufficiently entertained for long journeys, thanks to the abundance of charging ports located throughout the cabin. Even 3rd-row passengers get their own ports and small cubby holes to store hand-held items, a big upgrade in in-flight amenities compared to other 7-seater models where last-row occupants are essentially exiled from the rest of the cabin. 

Up front, most of the creature comforts are similar to what you get in the GLB. Twin digital displays dominate the dashboard, both 10.25-inches in size.

Mercedes’ infotainment system is decent enough to use, but the scroll menus may be quite a hassle to navigate whilst driving, especially if you rely on the haptic buttons on the steering wheel. Those things are just cumbersome to use.

Turn the car on at night, and a smorgasbord of LEDs light up to greet you. While it can entertain your passengers, my hot take is that these LEDs actually make the car look less premium, looking like the aftermath of a modding trip with our Malaysian neighbours.

Aside from the flashy LEDs, there’s really not much to complain about in the interior of the EQB. It’s practical enough for the family, and the posh blend of materials will impress your co-workers at the office.

Sleek, ae-static styling

Following the rest of the Mercedes EQ lineup, the EQB’s exterior resembles a GLB which dressed up with way too much hair wax. The entire body looks very slippery with no indentations, probably to give the car as low of a drag coefficient as possible.

Up front, the traditional radiator grille has been replaced with a posh black panel with chrome details. The head and taillamps of the car are also new, with EQ-specific LED light strips. 18-inch alloys are standard on the car, but you can always spring for the AMG-line option to spec your EQB out with fancier body panels and AMG-specific 18-inch rims. However, with the EQB 250 you wouldn’t be able to get the 20-inch big boy tyres, as those are only reserved for the more powerful 350 4Matic. Talk about jealousy.

Unlike the rest of the EQ SUV range, the EQB has a tall and squarish roofline, much like the GLB. It isn’t the best looking, but it provides passengers with tons of headroom in the cabin. 

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate the look of the EQB. But I’m also not someone who would take a second glance at the car. There’s really not much going on. Granted, its design is functional, but I would have loved to see at least some distinguishing features between it and the GLB. Unless they’re put side by side, most people wouldn’t be able to tell one from the other.

Sparking a new segment for the EV market

The EQB does tick a lot of boxes. It’s the first relatively attainable EV 7-seater in the mainstream market that doesn’t come in the shape of a van. It has relatively brisk performance, drives tidily and has loads of space to boot. 

If you just can’t wait to ferry your kids around in smug, efficient silence, it’s a safe bet. But before you rush down and place a deposit, it might be worth considering what your needs are in a car. If your family nucleus is small and you want something a bit more punchy, then the smaller EQA may be a more enticing prospect, and you save some cash doing so too.

But, if you’re someone who wants a practical boot, comfortable drive, and the added benefit of ferrying 7 passengers when the need arises, then the EQB may be a compelling EV option.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz EQB
Battery Capacity: 66.5kWh
Drive: Front wheels
Power: 188hp
Torque: 385Nm
0-100km/h: 8.9 seconds (claimed)
Fuel Economy: 16.4kWh/100km or 6.1km/kWh (claimed)
Price: $320,888 (Progressive), $328,888 (Electric Art), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

If you like EVs, why not check out the Mercedes-Benz EQV here!