Toyota Alphard
The is a minivan produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota since 2002. It is available as a seven- or eight-seater with petrol and hybrid engine options. Hybrid variants have been available since 2003, which incorporates Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. The Alphard is primarily made for the Japanese market, but is also sold in Bangladesh, Belarus, Russia, the Middle East, Greater China, and Southeast Asia. Similar to the Camry, it is often classified as a luxury car in Southeast Asian markets. Since the second generation, a twin model called has also been available, which is marketed  as a sportier alternative to the Alphard. Since 2019, a modified version of the third-generation model has been sold as the Lexus LM for several Asian markets outside Japan. The vehicle was named after Alphard, the brightest star in the constellation Hydra. The name "Vellfire" was derived from "velvet" and "fire" to emphasize "smooth" and "passionate" as characteristics of the vehicle. First generation (AH10; 2002). The Alphard was launched by Toyota in May 2002. The Alphard was facelifted in 2005 with new design of rear lamp and use of 16" and 17" aluminium alloy wheels. A hybrid version was  also added to the lineup in MY 2003, featuring: The 2.4-litre petrol engine (type 2AZ-FE) has been developed specifically for use in Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology and features a high-expansion ratio cycle that raises efficiency and reduces friction; however, this led to reliability problems of pistons' rings premature wear and consequent high oil consumption due to the poorly designed ring in order to minimize friction. The Alphard Hybrid uses "by-wire" technology that monitors brake pedal pressure and vehicle speed in order to calculate the optimum hydraulic pressure. By-wire works with the E-Four  AWD system to maximize the collection of kinetic energy from braking for conversion into electric power. The Alphard Hybrid can generate up to 1,500 watts and is equipped with 100-volt AC power outlets, to power external appliances such as laptops and emergency lights. In Japan, the Alphard Hybrid locally qualifies as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV), achieving emission levels 75% lower than the Japanese government's year 2000 benchmark. For model year 2007, on Japanese models only, G-BOOK, a subscription telematics service, was offered as an option. The Alphard is also the first Japanese market minivan to  feature a laser-guided Adaptive Cruise Control, although only as an option on V6 variants. In 2006, a Royal Lounge Alphard was introduced. It is a more upmarket, four-seat version of the Alphard and exclusive to ""Toyopet Store"" Japanese dealerships. Second generation (AH20; 2008). After being previewed as the FT-MV in 2007, the second generation Alphard went on sale in May 2008. For this generation, a twin model, the Vellfire, was introduced. According to Toyota's press release, the Alphard is described as having an "elegant and sophisticated" design while the Vellfire emphasizes on "strength and strong individuality ." Both models are sold via separate distribution channels, with the Alphard sold by Toyota's Toyopet dealership chain, while the Vellfire is sold at Toyota's youth oriented "NETZ Store" dealership chain. Variants of the Alphard/Vellfire include: The second generation Alphard was launched in the Philippines on 3 August 2010. Alphard 240/350X. The 240/350X variants of the Alphard are the lowest trim levels of the Alphard. It is only offered with eight seats. Standard equipment includes 16-inch steel rims, Xenon projector headlights, 2-DIN stereo, passenger-side power sliding door (driver's side optional) and fabric bench seats  for the middle row. Alphard 240S. Only comes with seven seats with second row individual seats with ottomans. Leather seats are optional. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy rims, dual power sliding doors, cruise control, LED soft ambient lighting, dual front parking sensors, rear power sliding sunroof, Tri-zone automatic climate control (individual controls for the rear), 7-inch display with satellite navigation (G-BOOK optional), eight speakers and a rear-seat entertainment system with roof-mounted 10-inch Blu-ray player. Alphard 240 Hybrid. Same equipment and options list with the 240S. Comes with Toyota's E-four AWD  system. Additional options are power tailgate and a coolbox (located between driver's seat and front passenger seat). Alphard 240/350G. The highest available trim level for the 2.4 engine. Standard equipment includes leather seats, power tailgate, G-BOOK telematics system, Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), NANOE-G air purifier, 8-way powered driver's seat (with three-person memory) and 6-way powered passenger's seat with ottoman. Alphard 350G "L Package". A more luxurious version of the Alphard 350G. Adds on second row "captain's" seats with powered reclinable ottomans, 18-speaker home theatre surround sound system, 360  degree surround view camera, automatic parking, and an optional Pre-crash active safety system, consisting of dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking. Alphard 350G "Executive Lounge". Same level of equipment with the 350G "L Package", but adds on its optional equipment as standard. The only change is the second row, which adds on four-way powered heated and ventilated seats, two-person memory, picnic tables and curtains for extra privacy. Alphard Royal Lounge. This is the top-of-the-line variant. It has no third row seats, only seating four , and the rear seats have a massage function. It features a small divider between the rear passengers and the front seats, like in a limousine. It has larger and plusher seats compared to the Executive Lounge and they are positioned all the way back into where the third row previously was for more legroom. Instead of a roof-mounted Blu-ray player, the Royal Lounge has a 23-inch television mounted on the divider between the front and rear passengers. The television retracts into the divider when not in use. Safety. JNCAP has rated the Alphard a full six stars  for occupant crash safety and outstanding safety features. Safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control and seven airbags (Dual front, Driver and passenger side airbags, Driver's knee and curtain airbags) are standard across all variants. Higher end variants offer a first-in-class Pre-Crash system as an option (only for Japanese models). Features include a radar-guided Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist and Pre-collision Warning with Semi-Autonomous Emergency Braking, which only helps apply a moderate amount of brake pressure, and does not  completely stop the vehicle. Facelift. A facelift model was announced by Toyota on 27 September 2011, with sales in Japan started from 1 November 2011. Also introduced a hybrid version of both the Alphard and Vellfire. Third generation (AH30; 2015). Toyota released the third generation Alphard on 26 January 2015 with a completely redesigned exterior and 2 new engines, including a 2.5-litre 2AR-FE petrol engine and a 2.5-litre 2AR-FXE petrol-hybrid engine. The 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 along with the 6-speed automatic was carried over from the previous generation. A new top-of-the -line Executive Lounge grade was added for both the Alphard and Vellfire. The third generation Alphard is available in Japan and selected Asian markets including Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong, being the first markets outside Japan to receive this all-new model. The third-generation Alphard was introduced in Russia, the model's primary, and only European market, but only with the 3.5 L V6 engine. The V6 model is also available in other left-hand drive markets, like China and Taiwan. The third generation features a large grille similar to the S210 series Crown  and its taillights are located on top similar to the third generation Previa and Sienna. The length has grown by , the width by , and the wheelbase has grown longer by ; but the height is shorter by compared to the previous generation. The Alphard faces competition from other minivans such as the Nissan Elgrand and the fifth generation international market Honda Odyssey. Large audio manufacturers like Alpine Electronics and JBL, also manufacture navigation and audio/visual accessories specifically for the Alphard. The Alphard can be optioned with a 1200W 17-speaker, 5.1 channel JBL sound system. Facelift. The facelifted third generation  Alphard and second generation Vellfire were unveiled on 25 December 2017 and released on 8 January 2018. Most of the changes are only to the exterior and powertrain, whereas interior equipment remains largely similar with minor changes. New rectangular taillights replace the horizontal ones on the Vellfire, mimicking the design of the second generation's taillights. The Alphard gets slimmer LED headlights and a larger grille up front. Both models get sequential LED turn signals as standard. Also new is an updated V6 engine, the 2GR-FKS that replaces the outgoing 2GR-FE (except for Hong Kong, due to the  emission rules). Output has increased to and . Also new is a Direct-Shift 8-speed automatic, that replaces the 6-speed Super ECT that is only found in V6-powered variants. Accelerating from can be achieved in 7.5 seconds. The debut of the second generation Toyota Safety Sense system is launched with the facelifted Alphard and Vellfire, which became standard equipment across all variants. On 1 May 2020, the Alphard and Vellfire became available at all Toyota dealership sales channels in Japan (Toyota Store, Toyopet Store, Corolla Store and Netz), and the Netz logo emblem on the Vellfire's front  grille was replaced by the Toyota logo emblem. In April 2021, trim levels for the Vellfire in Japan were reduced to one special edition trim, Golden Eyes II, due to decreasing sales as the result of the dealership line-up unification in 2020. In the same month, the Vellfire in China was renamed to Toyota Crown Vellfire, with the inclusion of the Crown logo replacing the front Toyota logo, and in other places such as the hubcaps and instrument cluster. Lexus LM. The Lexus-badged limousine version of the third generation Alphard, called the Lexus LM, was unveiled on 16  April 2019 at the 18th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition and first released on 20 February 2020 in China. The LM designation stands for "Luxury Mover". The LM is slightly longer than the Alphard it is based on, measuring in at long. The LM features newer and stronger structural components, along with additional soundproofing elements such as dual-pane windows. There are two seating configurations, a 7-seater configuration that is based on the Alphard Executive Lounge variant, and a 4-seater configuration named the "Emperor Suite", based on the Alphard Royal Lounge variant. The LM features a new suspension  setup featuring Swing Valve technology. Two engine options are available, a 2.5-liter 2AR-FXE hybrid four-cylinder in the LM 300h, and the 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS V6 in the LM 350 (2GR-FE for the Hong Kong market).