Lexus ES Next-Gen Revealed, India Launch Expected Soon
Lexus revealed the next-gen ES sedan at the Shanghai Auto Motor Show in China. The luxury sedan features hybrid powertrain options. The new ES gets four powertrain options: two hybrid and two electric variants.
The Lexus ES borrows design cues from the LF-ZC concept. The electric version has a closed-off front end, whereas the hybrid has a slim grille. The most notable change is the omission of the iconic spindle grille. In the front, the L-shaped DRLs get inverted L-shaped turn signals for company.
On the side, there is the presence of aerodynamic lines and electrically operating door handles. The alloy wheels are dual-tone and sizes range from 18 inches to 21 inches, depending on the market. The rear profile of the ES features a connected LED tailbar with ‘LEXUS’ written in the middle of it. The L-shaped lights make their way into the lower bumper.
Powertrain Options: Electric & Hybrid
The Lexus ES EV will be available in two variants: ES 350e and ES 500e. The ES 350e produces 224.3 HP and sends power to the front wheels. The ES 350e has a range of 610 Km (CLTC). It does 0-100 Km/hr in 8.9 seconds.
The ES 500e variant produces 342.6 HP and offers a range up to 685 Km (CLTC). It does 0-100 Km/hr in 5.9 seconds and has all-wheel drive. Lexus hasn’t revealed battery pack size, but it is expected to borrow the RZ SUV’s 77 kWh battery pack.
The ES 300h will be offered with two engines: 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol engines. They produce 197.1 HP and 201.2 HP, respectively. The ES 350h will use the larger engine, tuned for higher performance, boosting its power output to 247.4 HP. Both engines pair with an eCVT transmission. The charging time range for 10% to 80%, with 150 kW charging, is between 30 to 60 minutes.
The acceleration time from 0-100 Km/hr for the ES 300h is 9.4 seconds and 8.3-8.5 seconds for the front wheel drive and all wheel drive versions, respectively. The ES 350h completes the sprint in a quicker 7.8-8.0 seconds.
Interior
The interior of the Lexus ES has a minimalist design, a radical change from previous generations. The designers integrated multiple physical controls into the 14-inch infotainment system, enabling OTA updates. There is also a 12.3-inch driver display.
Features
Lexus has fitted multiple features that enhance the experience, like wireless charging, Mark and Levinson audio system, front seats with boss mode and rear reclining seats with ottoman function. There are also safety features such as Lexus Safety System+, which includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision safety, blind spot monitoring and lane departure assist.
Outlook
The Lexus ES has been on sale in India since 2018 and received a facelift and update along the way. Given the luxury sedan’s strong performance in India, it is safe to assume that Lexus will launch the new generation ES in India after its debut in other markets.
