by Students from the Japanese automotive college NATS presented a unique project that combines the style of a minivan with the format of a sedan. Their work is based on the following key points:
After the presentation of the Toyota Vellfire Sedan concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon, photos of the finished model and additional information about the modifications appeared.
From Minivan to Sedan
What happens if a familiar minivan takes the form of a sedan? This is exactly the question explored by NATS college students, transforming a Lexus into something inspired by the Toyota Vellfire. Instead of digital renders, the team chose a practical approach, building the car from scratch.
This project appeared quite timely, considering that Lexus itself recently experimented with the idea of turning the next-generation LS into a six-wheeled minivan, even presenting a concept model.
Among Other Unique Projects
The Vellfire Sedan was not the only impressive NATS project at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026. Alongside it were exhibited a revived low-slung Nissan Gloria and a roadster inspired by the small Supra, built on a Daihatsu Copen base. However, the sedan with a Vellfire-style body possibly looked the most unexpected.
Lexus Foundation with Vellfire Styling
The car is built on a 2011 Lexus LS460 base, meaning the platform of a fourth-generation full-size luxury sedan. The students wrapped this foundation with stylistic elements borrowed from the Toyota Vellfire.
Exterior Details
The LED headlights and sporty front bumper are taken from the Toyota Vellfire, with the bumper having to be shortened. This front-end replacement operation was not easy, but the students managed. The car’s silhouette is largely preserved, however it received wider front and rear fenders, as well as deep side skirts.
The sedan is mounted on new 21-inch wheels from WORKS and significantly lowered with the help of an air suspension. At the rear, LED taillights from the Vellfire are also installed, complemented by a small “ducktail” spoiler and a modified bumper with chrome inserts.
Interior Updates and Technical Aspects
Inside, the car received a moderate update. New upholstery materials and Eltide seat covers refreshed the interior, while accents of suede on the dashboard and wood inserts on the steering wheel completed the cabin changes.
The Heart Remained the Same
Technically, the Vellfire Sedan remained true to its LS roots. The original 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine remained untouched. It produces 365 hp and 477 Nm of torque, transmitting power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
A Unique Experiment
Like all NATS creations, this sedan is a unique specimen. And although Toyota’s real plans for the next generation may move in a completely different direction, as in the case of the six-wheeled Lexus minivan, this student development completely flips the narrative, albeit only for experimental purposes.
Similar student projects often serve as an important testing ground for ideas that large manufacturers may consider too risky for mass production. They demonstrate how perceptions of car classification and style are changing, blurring the lines between seemingly incompatible segments. The success of this work lies not only in the technical implementation but also in the very boldness of the concept, which makes one think about the future forms of automotive design beyond established frameworks.
