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Eighth generation ES will have a pair of hybrid powerunits and, for the first time, a similar choice of electric units.
Resembling the Crown, the ES appears sharper than before, in addition to debuting Lexus' new Clean Tech x Elegance styling language. Image: Lexus
Having flown underneath the radar with little of its next generation revealed, Lexus officially debuted the all-new ES at the Shanghai International Motor Show on Wednesday (23 April) ahead of its arrival in South Africa next year.
The replacement for the internally named XZ10 that went on-sale five years ago, the eighth generation ES adopts a radically different appearance heavily derived from parent company Toyota’s Crown, and with the first-time availability of a fully electric drivetrain.
While still mounted on the TNGA-K platform, the architecture itself has undergone significant changes to accommodate the electric motors and battery pack.
This includes the structure being more ridged than that of the XZ10, while dynamically, Lexus has retuned the steering and fitted a new rear-wheel steering system called Dynamic Rear Steer as part of the rear suspension now featuring a multi-link design.
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Said to be quieter than before, the ES gains on all dimensional fronts by measuring 165 mm longer at 5 140 mm, 55 mm wider at 1 920 mm and 80 mm longer at 2 950 mm on the wheelbase front.
As a result of the EV drivetrain, the fully electric ES has a height of 1 560 mm and the hybrid 1 555 mm, the latter representing an uptake of 110 mm over the outgoing model.
Mounted on new alloy wheel designs ranging from 18 to a first-time 21-inches, the ES’ styling, which Lexus calls Clean Tech x Elegance, replaces the long standing Spindle Grille motif and accordingly, will debut on other models over the coming years.
Derived from the LF-ZL that bowed at the Tokyo Mobility Show two years ago, the coupe-like lowered roofline and sloping rear prevails, but refined and further bolstered by thin LED light clusters connected by a full width light bar containing a Lexus script, and L-shaped side vents on the flanks of the bumper.
At the front, the slimmer LED headlights, still with L-motif diodes, sit above new vents on either side of the bumper, and a new lower positioned grille that disappears completely on the EV version.
Perhaps even more dramatic is the ES’ interior, which sports a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment system supplemented by secondary display directly alongside it as an option.
Adhering to the Clean Tech x Elegance design, the interior is largely devoid of physical buttons, though some remain at the base of the dash on the centre console as touch-sensitive items.
Along with a new steering wheel, which drops the Lexus L logo for the “Lexus” script, the ES’ panoramic sunroof sports an automatic dimming function instead of a blind, while the selection of materials include imitation leather and a so-called Bamboo layering.
Depending on the trim grade, confirmed specification items include a wireless smartphone charger, ottoman reclining front passenger’s seat, ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Mark Levinson sound system and a fragrance dispenser with five scents: Tenko, Seiyo, Keifu, Hanya and Shinmei.
On the safety and driver assistance side, new and revised systems consist of Blind Spot Monitoring, a panoramic view monitor, Driver Attention Alert, Radar Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Emergency Driver Response, Lane Change Assist and Pre-Collision Braking.
Up front, the split between hybrid and electric powertrains consists of four models, the former made-up of the ES 300h and ES 350h, and the latter of the ES 350e and ES 500e.
For the ES 300h, motivation comes from a normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine combined with an electric motor and battery pack of unspecified specification for a total system output of 145 kW. The claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time is 9.4 seconds.
In the ES 350h, the combination of the bigger 2.5-litre petrol and electric hardware develops a combined 182 kW, or in some markets, 148 kW. Respective 0-100 km/h sprint times is 7.8 seconds and 8.3 seconds.
Regardless of the outputs, the sole transmission option is a CVT, with front-wheel-drive being standard across both and all-wheel-drive optional.
On the EV side, the single motor ES 350e produces 165 kW and will get from 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. The claimed all-electric range is 685 km. No details surrounding the battery’s size or outputs was disclosed.
With a secondary electric motor fitted to the rear axle, the dual-motor ES 500e produces 252 kW, enough for 0-100 km/h to be dispatched with in 5.9 seconds. The single charge range is 610 km.
On-sale from 2026 as mentioned, Lexus South Africa has indicated that market specification will only be announced closer to the eventual launch date.
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