The all-new Lexus ES makes its European debut, ahead of the new generation global luxury sedan being brought to market in the region early next year.
Its development has focused on the concept Experience Elegant & Electrified Sedan, introducing new technologies and advanced comfort, connectivity and safety to sustain the build the model’s global reputation. The aim has been to ensure the ES can be enjoyed by all occupants: a connected, rewarding experience and sense of always being in control for the driver and first-class comfort for everyone on board. The advantages the ES has always enjoyed in ride quality, comfort and quietness have been taken to a higher level.
The all-new ES has been conceived as a model that addresses the priorities and concerns of today’s customers. The Lexus approach of “making luxury personal” is central to its strategy for keeping pace with people’s changing values and fulfilling their search for meaningful experiences.
This includes producing multiple solutions towards achieving carbon neutrality, giving people different technology solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. With the all-new ES, this is demonstrated in an extended model range that includes both full hybrid and battery electric powertrains, with different power options and the choice of both front and all-wheel drive.
To deliver on its “making luxury personal” promise, Lexus’ new car programme focuses on Electrification, Intelligence and Diversification, qualities that are central to the all-new ES.
The Electrification programme brings battery electric technology to Lexus’ premium sedan for the first time.
Where Intelligence is concerned, the model is the first Lexus to benefit from a fully digital driver’s cockpit in which multimedia, instrument display and Lexus Link+ app functions are seamlessly integrated. The technology innovations also include the Lexus-first “Hidden Switches”.
With the Diversification of its model range, Lexus is designing products that can fulfil multiple roles; the ES may be a sedan in the classic style, but it has character, style and performance to appeal to customers across both the private and business sectors.
DESIGN: CLEAN TECH x ELEGANCE
The ES has been developed with a new Lexus design concept – Clean Tech x Elegance.
Elegance has been a defining characteristic of successive ES generations and in this all-new model it has been further refined to blend functional elements with a greater emotional quality to produce a simple and clean design aesthetic.
The exterior styling combines a bold presence with a minimalist approach, advancing Lexus’ vision for next generation battery electric vehicle design.
In a further evolution of Lexus’ spindle-shape design hallmark, the car has a new spindle body that evokes electrified power. Overall height, width and length were calculated to produce elegant and striking proportions, while ensuring the car is comfortable to enter and exit. The positioning of the tyres underwent millimetre-level adjustment to obtain an ideal wide and low stance.
Further applying the Clean Tech x Elegance design concept, Lexus has refined the ES’s interior, removing excess detail to create a simple, clean and sophisticated space. The upper cabin section is open and spacious to enhance visibility, while the lower area wraps around the occupants.
Luxurious comfort is assured with the availability of a package of features to enhance the passenger experience. The rear cabin can be fitted with reclining seats and, for the seat behind the front passenger, an ottoman leg support for an exclusive chauffeur-driven style experience. The front passenger seat has a forward-folding function to maximise rear leg room and improve the view.
Two new Lexus-first design elements make their debut in the new ES. Bamboo Layering uses advanced printing techniques and light transmission technology to create a surface illumination effect that synchronises with the cabin’s ambient illumination. Synthetic Leather Embossing produces a precise embossed pattern which combines with ambient lighting to produce a clean and modern aesthetic. The level of sensory quality is further raised by the optimal placement of the Mark Levinson Surround Sound System’s 17 speakers to create a three-dimensional sound stage and a harmonious blend of sound and lighting in the cabin.
The cockpit is based on Lexus’ Tazuna principle, focusing the driver’s attention on the road ahead by arranging controls and information sources so they can be operated and recognised with just the slightest movement of hand and eye.
The upper section is wide open to prioritise the driver’s view, while the instrument combimeter is presented in an asymmetrical 12.3-inch digital array, allowing for a lower meter hood to be used. Material quality is raised with soft leather-like accents and dynamic lighting effects.
Battery electric ES 350e and 500e
Two battery electric ES versions will be available: the ES 350e front-wheel drive model delivering an output of 224 DIN hp / 165 kW, and the all-wheel drive ES 500e, with an output of 343 DIN hp / 252 kW. Both benefit from Lexus’ expertise in advanced electrification to unlock the full potential of the new Lexus global architecture-K platform, including new eAxles which integrate both the power control unit and transaxle.
Data on cruising range and charging times are still to be finalised, but we anticipate a range up to 530 km (WLTP standard) and a charging time of about 30 minutes for fast charging up to 80%.
The ES 350e’s lithium-ion battery has a 77 kWh capacity. This is expected to support acceleration from rest to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The all-wheel drive ES 500e raises the performance bar, using a 75 kWh battery unit, enabling 0-100 km/h in 5.7 sec.
The ES 500e is equipped with Lexus’ DIRECT4 intelligent electric all-wheel drive system. This provides continuous adjustment of drive torque distribution to all four wheels, according to driver inputs and the road conditions. This can vary from 100:0 to 0:100, based on data from sensors monitoring acceleration, wheel speed and steering angle. This delivers both handling stability and an engaging driving experience.
Charging solutions seamlessly accessed with the Lexus Link+ app
Lexus provides two principal charging solutions: the Lexus Charging network for charging when on the move; and Lexus HomeCharge for domestic charging. Both are integrated with the Lexus Link+ app to provide a unified and convenient charging experience for BEV owners.
The Lexus Charging Network gives access to more than 870,000 charging stations across Europe. Users can check availability, charging speed and pricing and unlock charging points using the Lexus Link+ app or an RFID card.
The app can also be used to set the start and stop times when using Lexus HomeCharge, making it easy for customers to take advantage of off-peak energy prices.
