Lexus confirms new ES Australian specifications

AUSTRALIAN SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE NEW Lexus ES have been confirmed, with the latest luxury medium sedan delivering even higher standards of craftsmanship, an expansion of intuitive luxury features and broader advanced safety technologies.

Available in local showrooms on September 29, the new ES also leverages the values of the Lexus Driving Signature with enhanced body rigidity and more controlled adaptive variable suspension (AVS) in the ES 300h F Sport grade.

A blend of comfort, with a higher focus on driver engagement and enjoyable dynamics, culminated in the introduction of a lighter and more agile ES 250 model.

Combining instant response and high thermal efficiency, the advanced new 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine delivers 152kW of power and 243Nm of torque with combined-cycle fuel consumption of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres (ES 250 Luxury).

Conservative design, but large sedans are losing popularity

The updated ES 300h will continue to be the most popular of the Lexus luxury sedan pair with its advanced 160kW petrol-electric hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with 131kW and 221Nm, and an electric motor with 88kW and 202Nm.

The flagship ES 300h delivers 0-100km/h performance that is two-tenths quicker than the ES 250 (at 8.9 seconds) along with low combined-cycle fuel consumption of just 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres.

The ES 250 Luxury is still very well equipped

The ES 250 Luxury introduces advanced safety and security technology to the seventh-generation ES for the first time – with Lexus Connected Services, Intersection Turn Assist and Emergency Steering Assist standard across the range.

Lexus Connected Services can notify emergency services in the event of an accident and track the vehicle if it is stolen.

Intersection Turn Assist can help the driver by issuing warnings and automatic braking if, at an intersection, the car turns in front of either an oncoming vehicle in the opposite lane, or pedestrians walking in the opposite direction to the vehicle.

Emergency Steering Assist works to aid the driver when initiating an evasive steering manoeuvre, helping maintain vehicle stability in the event of a sudden steering input and reducing deviation by striving to keep the vehicle in its own lane.

The F Sport may be the pick of the range

Further standard safety features on the ES 250 Luxury include: a pre-collision system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, parking support brake (PKSB) with obstacle and vehicle detection, automatic high-beam (AHB), blind-spot monitor (BSM), dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC), lane tracing assist (LTA), road sign assist (RSA) and tyre pressure warning monitor.

The ES 250 Luxury further welcomes a new 12.3-inch screen with touch-display functionality introduced to the seventh-generation ES for the first time – complementing the 7.0-inch driver display and incorporating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation and a 10-speaker sound system.

Sports-oriented interior in the F Sport …

The ES 250 Luxury also pursues higher craftsmanship standards with black or, for the first time on ES, hazel trim complemented by textured 3D Film ornamentation.

Impressive opulence comes standard on the ES 250 Luxury, which features a moonroof, dual-zone climate control with ES-debut Nanoe X cabin ionisation technology, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating.

To this high level of specification an optional Enhancement Pack for the ES 250 Luxury further adds a smart key card, driver colour head-up display, wireless smartphone charging and two rear console-mounted USB chargers.

… contrasts with the more luxurious 300h

These features are standard on the ES 300h Luxury, which above the ES 250 Luxury with Enhancement Pack further adds a standard rear spoiler, power adjustable steering column and Active Noise Control.

Luxury customers can further raise specification with an ES 300h-unique Enhancement Pack newly offering a power-operated boot lid with kick sensor and rear door sunshades, along with one-inch-larger 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic view monitor, 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, front ventilated seats and power-operated rear sunshade.

Lexus ES customers can then select from sharper ES 250 F Sport and ES 300h F Sport grades that leverage the highest degree of driver enjoyment within the rigid and sophisticated Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform.

Both F Sport grades add front and rear performance dampers (bracing), complementing the stronger rear structure newly introduced with the ES.

The ES 250 further features newly introduced F Sport suspension, while the ES 300h adds Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that has been retuned for a more focused iteration of the renowned Lexus Driving Signature.

The ES 250 misses out on the F Sport’s tri-beam headlights

The F Sport also features tri-beam LED headlamps and adaptive high beam (AHB) incorporating BladeScan technology, an ES first.

Employing the same technology found in the flagship LS sedan, BladeScan AHS broadens the range of high beam illumination, enabling the driver to recognise pedestrians and road signs further ahead, without impeding the visibility of the proceeding driver or of drivers approaching from the opposite direction.

Compared with existing technology that uses LEDs directed at the road and switch on and off as individual chips that can shade fixed portions of the road, BladeScan AHS directs the LEDs back towards a spinning blade mirror which synchronise to provide a more delicate shielding of light than in the case of conventional AHS.

Further F Sport exclusives include 19-inch F Sport alloy wheels, F Sport grille and F Sport body kit.

Both the ES 250 F Sport and ES 300h F Sport introduce a power boot lid and F Sport White leather-accented trim, in each case for the first time on an F Sport grade.

Also available are F Sport Black and F Sport Flare Red alternatives, all with Hadori aluminium ornamentation.

Further standard specification on F Sport includes a larger 8.0-inch driver display, panoramic view monitor, front ventilated seats, driver memory settings and power-operated rear sunshade.

The ES 300h F Sport is exclusively available with an Enhancement Pack adding a heated steering wheel and 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

The flagship, hybrid-only Sports Luxury grade of the Lexus luxury medium sedan also gains the items of the ES 300h F Sport with Enhancement Pack.

The ES 300h Sports Luxury moves to 18-inch alloy wheels and standard suspension for a focus on plush ride comfort, while maintaining the front and rear performance dampers (bracing) of the F Sport that helps further reduce noise and body vibration.

Simple and harmonious rear view

The ES 300h Sports Luxury channels the opulence of the LS 500h Sports Luxury with the luxury of semi-aniline leather upholstery and the impeccable craftsmanship of six trim and ornamentation choices, including black, hazel, rich cream or mauve trim, with a choice of real bamboo, open finish brown walnut or open finish Sumi black walnut ornamentation.

Supporting this craftsmanship standard are tri-zone climate control and even powered outboard rear seats with recline function and heating for the ultimate in luxury.

Lexus Australia Chief Executive Scott Thompson said the new ES will continue to further extend the craftsmanship, refinement and technology that have defined the appeal of the seventh-generation Lexus luxury medium sedan.

“The seventh-generation ES has progressed into its third year of sales growth and this strong showing reflects the Lexus appeal in the luxury medium sedan segment,” Mr Thompson said.

“The new Lexus ES delivers even more luxurious specification, even higher levels of technology, and even greater refinement that melds seamlessly with the lighter and agile new ES 250 and incredibly advanced ES 300h.”

Pricing for the new Lexus ES will be announced closer to its September 29 on-sale date.

Lexus still thinks touch screens work in moving cars

ES 250 Luxury highlights

  • 2.5 Litre Direct Injection Petrol Engine (new to ES)
  • Maximum Combined Power of 152kW
  • Maximum Available Torque of 243Nm
  • Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • Kerb weight of 1680kg
  • Combined cycle fuel consumption from 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres
  • 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.1 seconds
  • Drive Mode Select – ECO, NORMAL and SPORT
  • Active Cornering Assist (ACA)
  • 17-inch Alloy Wheels
  • LED Low-beam headlights with Automatic High Beam (AHB)
  • LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
  • Keyless Smart Entry (4 door) with an Ultrasonic Break-In Alarm
  • Tilt & Slide Moonroof
  • LED Rear Tail-Lamps
  • Intersection Assist with Turning Assist (new to ES)
  • Emergency Steering Assist (new to ES)
  • Lexus Connected Services (new to ES)
  • Radar Active Cruise Control (RACC) with Road Sign Assist (RSA) 
  • Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection
  • Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Brake (RCTAB) 
  • Parking Support with Brake (PKSB), including Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS)
  • Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
  • 10 SRS Airbags
  • Alarm System with Intrusion sensor
  • Tyre Pressure Warning System
  • Choice of Hazel interior trim (new to ES)
  • Choice of Black interior trim
  • 3D Film ornamentation
  • 12.3-inch Multimedia Touch-display (new to ES)
  • Reversing Camera with Rear Guide Assist (RGA)
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • 10 Speaker Audio
  • DAB+ Digital Radio, USB & AUX Input
  • Satellite Navigation System
  • Dual Zone Climate Control Air Conditioning with Nanoe X (new to ES)
  • Lexus Climate Concierge
  • 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats
  • Heated Front Seats
  • Self-dimming Interior Mirror

ES 250 Luxury with Enhancement Pack highlights
ES 250 Luxury standard equipment plus the following

  • Wireless Smartphone Charger
  • Head-Up Display (HUD)
  • Smart Key Card
  • Privacy Rear-side and Rear Glass
  • Type-C USB Chargers (2x rear)

ES 300h Luxury highlights

  • 2.5 Litre Direct Injection Petrol Engine with Lexus Hybrid Drive
  • Maximum Combined Power of 160kW
  • Maximum Available Torque of 221Nm (Petrol Engine) & 202Nm (Electric Motor)
  • Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
  • Kerb weight of 1740kg
  • Combined cycle fuel consumption from 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres
  • 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds
  • EV Mode

ES 250 Luxury with Enhancement Pack standard equipment plus the following

  • Rear Spoiler
  • Power Adjustable Steering Column with Easy Access functionality
  • Active Noise Control

ES 300h Luxury with Enhancement Pack highlights
ES 300h Luxury standard equipment plus the following

  • Choice of Hazel interior trim (new)
  • Choice of Mauve interior trim (new)
  • Choice of Black interior trim
  • Choice of Rich Cream interior trim
  • Choice of Sumi black walnut ornamentation (new)
  • Choice of brown walnut ornamentation (new)
  • Power Back Door with Kick Sensor (new)
  • 18-inch Alloy Wheels
  • Ventilated Front Seats
  • 12-way Power Adjustable Driver’s Seat with Memory
  • Panoramic View Monitor
  • Sunshade on Rear Window (Power) and Rear Door (Manual)

ES 250 F Sport highlights
ES 250 Luxury
 standard equipment plus the following

  • F Sport suspension (new to ES)
  • LED headlamps with BladeScan Adaptive High-beam System (new to ES)
  • 19-inch F Sport Alloy Wheels
  • F Sport Performance Dampers (Bracing) Front and Rear
  • F Sport Grille and Rear Spoiler
  • F Sport Seats in F Sport White, F Sport Black or Flare Red
  • Power Back Door with Kick Sensor
  • Power Sunshade on Rear Window
  • Hadori Aluminium Ornamentation
  • 8.0-inch Driver Display
  • Panoramic View Monitor
  • Ventilated Front Seats
  • 12-way Power Adjustable Driver’s Seat with Memory
  • Panoramic View Monitor

ES 300h F Sport highlights
ES 250 F Sport
 standard equipment plus the following

  • F Sport Adaptive Variable Suspension
  • Drive Mode Select – ECO, NORMAL and SPORT S, SPORT S+ and CUSTOM

ES 300h F Sport with Enhancement Pack highlights
ES 300h F Sport
 standard equipment plus the following

  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Mark Levinson17 Speaker Audio including Subwoofer & Amplifier

ES 300h Sports Luxury highlights
ES 300h Luxury with Enhancement Pack standard equipment plus the following

  • LED headlamps with BladeScan Adaptive High-beam System (new)
  • Semi-Aniline Leather Accented interior trim
  • Choice of Mauve interior trim (new)
  • Choice of Hazel interior trim (new)
  • Choice of Black interior trim
  • Choice of Rich Cream interior trim
  • Choice of brown Walnut ornamentation (new)
  • Choice of Sumi black Walnut ornamentation (new)
  • Choice of Bamboo ornamentation
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Mark Levinson17 Speaker Audio including Subwoofer & Amplifier
  • Tri-zone Climate Control Air Conditioning with Humidity Sensor
  • Power Adjustable Reclining/Heated Outer Rear Seats
  • Rear Armrest with Air Conditioning, Audio, Rear Heater, Rear Reclining and Sunshade Controls