{"id":462,"date":"2025-07-20T01:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T01:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/?p=462"},"modified":"2025-07-21T13:34:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T13:34:52","slug":"a-minivan-woke-up-in-a-lexus-body-and-decided-to-just-go-with-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/20\/a-minivan-woke-up-in-a-lexus-body-and-decided-to-just-go-with-it\/","title":{"rendered":"A Minivan Woke Up In A Lexus Body And Decided To Just Go With It"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><img width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image lazyload\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NATS-2025-Projects-Toyota-Vellfire-Sedan-main-1024x576-1.jpg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-14 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<ul>\n<li>NATS college revealed their latest student-built projects for the Tokyo Auto Salon.<\/li>\n<li>One standout build is a Toyota Vellfire-inspired sedan based on a Lexus LS.<\/li>\n<li>The V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission are expected to remain stock.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>What if a familiar minivan took on a sedan form? That&rsquo;s the question students at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/nats\/\">NATS<\/a> (Nihon Automobile College) are exploring by turning a Lexus into something inspired by the Toyota Vellfire. Rather than relying on digital renderings, the team has taken a hands-on approach, building the vehicle from the ground up.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placement\">\n<div id=\"82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tvar adpushup = window.adpushup  = window.adpushup || {que:[]};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tadpushup.que.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tif (adpushup.config.platform !== &#8220;DESKTOP&#8221;){<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/01\/this-mini-dakar-truck-riding-on-a-suzuki-jimny-chassis-is-simply-genius\/\">Tiny Dakar Kei Truck Built Around A Suzuki Jimny Is Utterly Adorable<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Toyota Vellfire Sedan is one of three unique projects being prepared by NATS students for this year&rsquo;s Tokyo Auto Salon. Alongside it, they&rsquo;re also working on a restored Nissan Gloria transformed into a lowrider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2020\/01\/college-students-are-building-the-supra-roadster-that-toyota-wont\/\">and a mini-Supra Spider<\/a> crafted from a Daihatsu Copen. All three builds are already underway, with the goal of completing them in time for the show this December.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Lexus Base with a Vellfire Twist<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-organic\"><\/div>\n<p>Among the trio, the Vellfire Sedan stands out thanks to its unusual blend of sedan proportions and minivan styling cues. The base is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/Lexus\">Lexus<\/a> LS460, part of the fourth-generation lineup that was produced between 2006 and 2017. It&rsquo;s a full-size luxury sedan, now serving as the foundation for something far less conventional.<\/p>\n<p>The plans is to add the LED headlights of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/Toyota-Vellfire\/\">Toyota Vellfire<\/a> on the Lexus, alongside a custom front bumper with a large grille and sporty intakes. The biggest challenge will be to merge the minivan&rsquo;s lightning units with the fenders of the sedan, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/01\/toyota-86-cosplays-as-a-wild-super-gt-lexus-racecar\/\">judging from previous NATS projects<\/a>, the students have everything they need to achieve their goal.<\/p>\n<section class=\"type:slideshow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><\/section>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NATS<\/h4>\n<p>The side profile will be reworked with a set of 21-inch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/wheels\">wheels<\/a> from WORKS and a lowered stance made possible by air suspension. Around back, slimmer full-width LED taillights will mirror those of the Vellfire, joined by a subtle ducktail spoiler and a revised bumper design.<\/p>\n<p>As for the interior, it will gain a fresh white upholstery, likely combined with a tech upgrade including modern infotainment and audio systems.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2022\/12\/toyota-alphard-minivan-is-being-converted-into-a-dually-pickup-for-tokyo\/\">Toyota Alphard Minivan Converted Into A Dually Pickup For Tokyo<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placement\">\n<div id=\"9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<div id=\"bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tvar adpushup = window.adpushup  = window.adpushup || {que:[]};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tadpushup.que.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tif (adpushup.config.platform !== &#8220;DESKTOP&#8221;){<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It is not clear if NATS will opt for any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/tuning\">mechanical modifications<\/a> other than the air suspension. The donor vehicle is fitted with a naturally-aspirated 4.6-liter V8 generating 375 hp (280 kW \/ 381 PS) and 493 Nm (364 lb-ft) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, a setup that&rsquo;s likely to remain untouched.<\/p>\n<p>NATS is expected to release more images and videos as the build progresses, leading up to its official debut at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/Tokyo-Auto-Salon\">Tokyo Auto Salon<\/a>. We&rsquo;ll be keeping an eye on the updates and will share more as the project comes together.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placement\">\n<div id=\"9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<div id=\"bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tvar adpushup = window.adpushup  = window.adpushup || {que:[]};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tadpushup.que.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tif (adpushup.config.platform !== &#8220;DESKTOP&#8221;){<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NATS college revealed their latest student-built projects for the Tokyo Auto Salon. One standout build is a Toyota Vellfire-inspired sedan [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":464,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=462"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":465,"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462\/revisions\/465"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yoptremvaluki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}