Teased: The Next-Generation Lexus ES Sedan

Posted by Kevin on April 11th, 2018

Lexus has released the first teaser image of the upcoming next-generation ES sedan, here it is in full-resolution:

Whether by coincidence or strategy, the released image is from nearly the same angle as the photo of the ES that leaked on Monday. The vertical slat grille is a departure from recent patterns used by Lexus, and is likely meant to soften the ES’ overall resemblance to the LS sedan.

The press release reads more like a tweet, but contains some valuable information:

More than just a pretty face, this all-new Lexus vehicle aims to radically transform the concept of comfort for luxury consumers all over the world. Witness its global debut in Beijing on April 25, 2018. #ExperienceAmazing

There we have it — not only will the new Lexus ES debut in two weeks at the Beijing Motor Show, it will be available in all markets globally. Big news indeed.

So, what do you think of this spindle grille intrepretation? Are you ready for an ES with a design similar to the LS flagship?

FeaturesLexus ES: Fifth Generation
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Comments
A
spwolf
there are indeed photos of camouflaged test vehicles as well as concept shots of how it should look like, like baby LS basically.

I agree on 300h vs 450h, huge difference in pricing.

We know that 2020 Highlander coming next year will have 300h version. I assume that RX will have it too, especially in Europe.
I meant something more like this

[​IMG]
A
ssun30
Just sold my XV40 ES350 for ¥180k ($29k) with 10 years and 180k miles (original price is ¥570k/$70k). The dealership will take it next month. That will put me on the early delivery list for the new ES. Basically I got a 60% better deal by committing to pre-order. They want to sell this to ES loyalists, hard.

They wouldn't tell me what the top trim will be, but I will miss the V6.
You can put down a pre order without actually seeing the product nor the concept? Very much a la Tesla Mode 3.
A
ssun30
Just sold my XV40 ES350 for ¥180k ($29k) with 10 years and 180k miles (original price is ¥570k/$70k). The dealership will take it next month. That will put me on the early delivery list for the new ES. Basically I got a 60% better deal by committing to pre-order. They want to sell this to ES loyalists, hard.

They wouldn't tell me what the top trim will be, but I will miss the V6.
You can put down a pre order without actually seeing the product nor the concept? Very much a la Tesla Mode 3.
S
asoksevil
You can put down a pre order without actually seeing the product nor the concept? Very much a la Tesla Mode 3.
I didn't pay anything. It's just a verbal commitment. Their manager is a personal friend of mine so they know I will be buying a Lexus sedan for sure. They are trying hard to sell me a LS500h Executive which is part of the reason for the overprice they paid for the trade-in.
S
asoksevil
You can put down a pre order without actually seeing the product nor the concept? Very much a la Tesla Mode 3.
I didn't pay anything. It's just a verbal commitment. Their manager is a personal friend of mine so they know I will be buying a Lexus sedan for sure. They are trying hard to sell me a LS500h Executive which is part of the reason for the overprice they paid for the trade-in.
A
ssun30
I didn't pay anything. It's just a verbal commitment. Their manager is a personal friend of mine so they know I will be buying a Lexus sedan for sure. They are trying hard to sell me a LS500h Executive which is part of the reason for the overprice they paid for the trade-in.
So you sold your current ES for a higher trade-in value because you gave your verbal commitment about purchasing the LS? That sounds a bit rushed from the dealer side, I would have expected a written confirmation/deposit about the LS since that's the reason you got a higher trade-in value right?

Can't wait to see the new ES, sounds like a true game changer for Lexus if it's going to be a mini LS. I hope Lexus doesn't cheapen it out and it standing vis-a-vis the Germans.
A
ssun30
I didn't pay anything. It's just a verbal commitment. Their manager is a personal friend of mine so they know I will be buying a Lexus sedan for sure. They are trying hard to sell me a LS500h Executive which is part of the reason for the overprice they paid for the trade-in.
So you sold your current ES for a higher trade-in value because you gave your verbal commitment about purchasing the LS? That sounds a bit rushed from the dealer side, I would have expected a written confirmation/deposit about the LS since that's the reason you got a higher trade-in value right?

Can't wait to see the new ES, sounds like a true game changer for Lexus if it's going to be a mini LS. I hope Lexus doesn't cheapen it out and it standing vis-a-vis the Germans.
S
asoksevil
So you sold your current ES for a higher trade-in value because you gave your verbal commitment about purchasing the LS? That sounds a bit rushed from the dealer side, I would have expected a written confirmation/deposit about the LS since that's the reason you got a higher trade-in value right?

Can't wait to see the new ES, sounds like a true game changer for Lexus if it's going to be a mini LS. I hope Lexus doesn't cheapen it out and it standing vis-a-vis the Germans.
The context here is that I helped them sell one LX and two ES in 2017 through referral, and the corresponding salesperson got loads of commissions. Plus all these years of helping their business including a little overspending on maintenance for my ES350 and a some referrals. They have lots of reasons to trade-in for such high value, not to mention the ES is in prime condition. They know the LS500h would be a very tough sell but it's always worth trying on their part.
S
asoksevil
So you sold your current ES for a higher trade-in value because you gave your verbal commitment about purchasing the LS? That sounds a bit rushed from the dealer side, I would have expected a written confirmation/deposit about the LS since that's the reason you got a higher trade-in value right?

Can't wait to see the new ES, sounds like a true game changer for Lexus if it's going to be a mini LS. I hope Lexus doesn't cheapen it out and it standing vis-a-vis the Germans.
The context here is that I helped them sell one LX and two ES in 2017 through referral, and the corresponding salesperson got loads of commissions. Plus all these years of helping their business including a little overspending on maintenance for my ES350 and a some referrals. They have lots of reasons to trade-in for such high value, not to mention the ES is in prime condition. They know the LS500h would be a very tough sell but it's always worth trying on their part.
S
mediumhot
It might be the best looking ES in last 15 years but that face looks like it belongs on IS entry sedan. I know they've put that extreme hood to spindle crease to give it more dramatic look (and just like creases on UX it goes absolutely nowhere) but mid size premium cars just like premium flagships command smoother surface blends. Look at the edge filleting on LS in comparison shot.
ES pic is much lower detail cell phone pics blown up... there is a lot of detail there too, but of course it is not the same as LS...
S
mediumhot
It might be the best looking ES in last 15 years but that face looks like it belongs on IS entry sedan. I know they've put that extreme hood to spindle crease to give it more dramatic look (and just like creases on UX it goes absolutely nowhere) but mid size premium cars just like premium flagships command smoother surface blends. Look at the edge filleting on LS in comparison shot.
ES pic is much lower detail cell phone pics blown up... there is a lot of detail there too, but of course it is not the same as LS...
Gecko
spwolf


just reminded me to look at old spy shots... Toyota always tests with real wheels, so we can confirm F-Sport version here.
The version you posted looks to be the standard car. Here is F Sport:

[​IMG]

[​IMG]
Gecko
spwolf


just reminded me to look at old spy shots... Toyota always tests with real wheels, so we can confirm F-Sport version here.
The version you posted looks to be the standard car. Here is F Sport:

[​IMG]

[​IMG]
Gecko
Front end is rather busy, IMO, but it looks nice overall. Not liking how the chrome "whiskers" go up the hood, north of the grill.

Are we now going back to vertical slats in the grill? LC, LS and UX all debut with mesh, but this ES seems to debut with vertical slats? The very bottom of the grill looks to have some mesh type of pattern, so maybe it's a 3D effect and from that angle, all we can really see is the vertical element?
Gecko
Front end is rather busy, IMO, but it looks nice overall. Not liking how the chrome "whiskers" go up the hood, north of the grill.

Are we now going back to vertical slats in the grill? LC, LS and UX all debut with mesh, but this ES seems to debut with vertical slats? The very bottom of the grill looks to have some mesh type of pattern, so maybe it's a 3D effect and from that angle, all we can really see is the vertical element?
R
  • R
    RAL
  • April 10, 2018
Since first seeing this spy shot of the base model ... I have been trying to visualize what this grille design looks like. I agree with @Gecko ... it looks busy, and especially ugly in camouflage ... like a pirana's mouth. Though hard to tell from the angle of the leaked image, the grille appears dark ... almost blacked out. Why create a busy pattern only to darken it away? Fractal is LS elegant ... but busy is ... well, ... not.

The shape of the spindle is audacious enough ... The F-Sport mesh grille design looks good. But I was hoping for a simple elegant grille design for the base model. Hopefully we shall soon see ... in a couple weeks? ...

View attachment 2798
R
  • R
    RAL
  • April 10, 2018
Since first seeing this spy shot of the base model ... I have been trying to visualize what this grille design looks like. I agree with @Gecko ... it looks busy, and especially ugly in camouflage ... like a pirana's mouth. Though hard to tell from the angle of the leaked image, the grille appears dark ... almost blacked out. Why create a busy pattern only to darken it away? Fractal is LS elegant ... but busy is ... well, ... not.

The shape of the spindle is audacious enough ... The F-Sport mesh grille design looks good. But I was hoping for a simple elegant grille design for the base model. Hopefully we shall soon see ... in a couple weeks? ...

View attachment 2798
krew
spwolf
@krew nice article and compare with LS... also pic was posted on instagram, by name i would say US dealer employee.
YIKES

Gecko
Are we now going back to vertical slats in the grill? LC, LS and UX all debut with mesh, but this ES seems to debut with vertical slats? The very bottom of the grill looks to have some mesh type of pattern, so maybe it's a 3D effect and from that angle, all we can really see is the vertical element?
I would bet the vertical slats on the ES are to avoid completely cannibalizing the LS design -- there needs to be some differentiator between the two vehicles. Also, remember how Lexus really played up the design of the LS front grille, talking about it taking six months to develop? No way they were going to paste that on the ES front end.

I bet the vertical pattern minimizes the boldness of the ES spindle grille, and is meant to soften the look. ES F SPORT can use the standard F SPORT pattern no problem.
krew
spwolf
@krew nice article and compare with LS... also pic was posted on instagram, by name i would say US dealer employee.
YIKES

Gecko
Are we now going back to vertical slats in the grill? LC, LS and UX all debut with mesh, but this ES seems to debut with vertical slats? The very bottom of the grill looks to have some mesh type of pattern, so maybe it's a 3D effect and from that angle, all we can really see is the vertical element?
I would bet the vertical slats on the ES are to avoid completely cannibalizing the LS design -- there needs to be some differentiator between the two vehicles. Also, remember how Lexus really played up the design of the LS front grille, talking about it taking six months to develop? No way they were going to paste that on the ES front end.

I bet the vertical pattern minimizes the boldness of the ES spindle grille, and is meant to soften the look. ES F SPORT can use the standard F SPORT pattern no problem.
S
Gecko
The version you posted looks to be the standard car. Here is F Sport:

[​IMG]

[​IMG]
damn, so even regular version has dark wheels... i guess there will have several different models, one that will also bee sportier but not F-Sport and then F-Sport as well. Europe has Sport models quite often, which are just wheels and trim, so less than F-Sport.
S
Gecko
The version you posted looks to be the standard car. Here is F Sport:

[​IMG]

[​IMG]
damn, so even regular version has dark wheels... i guess there will have several different models, one that will also bee sportier but not F-Sport and then F-Sport as well. Europe has Sport models quite often, which are just wheels and trim, so less than F-Sport.
Gecko
spwolf
damn, so even regular version has dark wheels... i guess there will have several different models, one that will also bee sportier but not F-Sport and then F-Sport as well. Europe has Sport models quite often, which are just wheels and trim, so less than F-Sport.
I doubt it. My assumption is that those wheels are sprayed black as part of the camo... Toyota and Lexus have been doing this lately with some prototypes.

I assume the standard car will have normal polished/silver wheels, F Sport will probably have the smoked chrome and perhaps there will be a different finish option like there is for LS - hyper or something?

Black wheels would be a turnoff for many ES buyers.
Gecko
spwolf
damn, so even regular version has dark wheels... i guess there will have several different models, one that will also bee sportier but not F-Sport and then F-Sport as well. Europe has Sport models quite often, which are just wheels and trim, so less than F-Sport.
I doubt it. My assumption is that those wheels are sprayed black as part of the camo... Toyota and Lexus have been doing this lately with some prototypes.

I assume the standard car will have normal polished/silver wheels, F Sport will probably have the smoked chrome and perhaps there will be a different finish option like there is for LS - hyper or something?

Black wheels would be a turnoff for many ES buyers.
S
Gecko
I doubt it. My assumption is that those wheels are sprayed black as part of the camo... Toyota and Lexus have been doing this lately with some prototypes.

I assume the standard car will have normal polished/silver wheels, F Sport will probably have the smoked chrome and perhaps there will be a different finish option like there is for LS - hyper or something?

Black wheels would be a turnoff for many ES buyers.

Black wheels are very popular in Europe... so I bet these will feature... it is similar to RX Sport wheels:

[​IMG]
S
Gecko
I doubt it. My assumption is that those wheels are sprayed black as part of the camo... Toyota and Lexus have been doing this lately with some prototypes.

I assume the standard car will have normal polished/silver wheels, F Sport will probably have the smoked chrome and perhaps there will be a different finish option like there is for LS - hyper or something?

Black wheels would be a turnoff for many ES buyers.

Black wheels are very popular in Europe... so I bet these will feature... it is similar to RX Sport wheels:

[​IMG]
S
those look the same?
S
those look the same?
Benito
The leaked photo also has base model headlights. In the camouflaged ES there appears to be more attractive likely triple LED headlights like the LS.
Benito
The leaked photo also has base model headlights. In the camouflaged ES there appears to be more attractive likely triple LED headlights like the LS.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • April 10, 2018
spwolf
@krew nice article and compare with LS... also pic was posted on instagram, by name i would say US dealer employee.
I believe that is the reflection of a palm tree and a partly cloudy/mostly sunny blue sky on the hood ... any palm trees in Japan? ... South Carolina, yes ... Florida, yes ... California, yes ... where else? Middle East?

R