Lexus USA Announces 2019 ES 350 & ES 300h Pricing

Posted by Kevin on July 27th, 2018

The all-new 2019 Lexus ES 350 will arrive in U.S. dealerships this September with a base price of $39,500, just $550 more than the outgoing model. The all-new ES 350 F SPORT package will be a $4,535 option, for a starting price of $44,035.

Pricing for the hybrid ES 300h has also been announced at $41,310 USD, making for a $510 decrease compared to its predecessor.

All prices exclude a $1,025 fee for delivery, processing and handling.

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Comments
F1 Silver Arrows
spwolf
these things have nothing to do with dealers at all. When you have a buyer that has $60k to spend, you down show him ES... When you have a buyer with $40k, then you cant show him GS either......
That's why I didn't mention anything in regards to money and I only said advertising. When was the last time you saw the GS being advertised? Either it being dealers or corporate, the GS has no time under the spotlight whatsoever.
F1 Silver Arrows
spwolf
these things have nothing to do with dealers at all. When you have a buyer that has $60k to spend, you down show him ES... When you have a buyer with $40k, then you cant show him GS either......
That's why I didn't mention anything in regards to money and I only said advertising. When was the last time you saw the GS being advertised? Either it being dealers or corporate, the GS has no time under the spotlight whatsoever.
F1 Silver Arrows
spwolf
these things have nothing to do with dealers at all. When you have a buyer that has $60k to spend, you down show him ES... When you have a buyer with $40k, then you cant show him GS either......
That's why I didn't mention anything in regards to money and I only said advertising. When was the last time you saw the GS being advertised? Either it being dealers or corporate, the GS has no time under the spotlight whatsoever.
S
F1 Silver Arrows
That's why I didn't mention anything in regards to money and I only said advertising. When was the last time you saw the GS being advertised? Either it being dealers or corporate, the GS has no time under the spotlight whatsoever.
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
S
F1 Silver Arrows
That's why I didn't mention anything in regards to money and I only said advertising. When was the last time you saw the GS being advertised? Either it being dealers or corporate, the GS has no time under the spotlight whatsoever.
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
S
F1 Silver Arrows
That's why I didn't mention anything in regards to money and I only said advertising. When was the last time you saw the GS being advertised? Either it being dealers or corporate, the GS has no time under the spotlight whatsoever.
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
S
F1 Silver Arrows
That's why I didn't mention anything in regards to money and I only said advertising. When was the last time you saw the GS being advertised? Either it being dealers or corporate, the GS has no time under the spotlight whatsoever.
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
S
F1 Silver Arrows
That's why I didn't mention anything in regards to money and I only said advertising. When was the last time you saw the GS being advertised? Either it being dealers or corporate, the GS has no time under the spotlight whatsoever.
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
mikeavelli
spwolf
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
mikeavelli
spwolf
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
mikeavelli
spwolf
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
mikeavelli
spwolf
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
mikeavelli
spwolf
Thats also based on its market performance... cars that sell well get more marketing. Marketing is not really a problem, just the car is not that desirable in current market at current prices.

There is no silver bullet for GS but main thing for this thread is that it has nothing to do with ES really.
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
L
ssun30
It's a closed cycle: the M3 attracts people to buy the regular 3 series, BMW give them the instant gratification with that M-sport add-on, when those people grow older and accumulate wealth some will eventually buy a proper M3.
It is theory. The M3 attracts to stay loyal to the company, but not sure how many older people accumulate wealth and later buy it. Either they had it, or they won't.


mikeavelli
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
ES might do very well in Europe, if Lexus markets the car specially in countries other than Germany. Lack of AWD is bad, from a marketing perspective, especially in Switzerland and northern countries.
L
ssun30
It's a closed cycle: the M3 attracts people to buy the regular 3 series, BMW give them the instant gratification with that M-sport add-on, when those people grow older and accumulate wealth some will eventually buy a proper M3.
It is theory. The M3 attracts to stay loyal to the company, but not sure how many older people accumulate wealth and later buy it. Either they had it, or they won't.


mikeavelli
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
ES might do very well in Europe, if Lexus markets the car specially in countries other than Germany. Lack of AWD is bad, from a marketing perspective, especially in Switzerland and northern countries.
L
ssun30
It's a closed cycle: the M3 attracts people to buy the regular 3 series, BMW give them the instant gratification with that M-sport add-on, when those people grow older and accumulate wealth some will eventually buy a proper M3.
It is theory. The M3 attracts to stay loyal to the company, but not sure how many older people accumulate wealth and later buy it. Either they had it, or they won't.


mikeavelli
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
ES might do very well in Europe, if Lexus markets the car specially in countries other than Germany. Lack of AWD is bad, from a marketing perspective, especially in Switzerland and northern countries.
L
ssun30
It's a closed cycle: the M3 attracts people to buy the regular 3 series, BMW give them the instant gratification with that M-sport add-on, when those people grow older and accumulate wealth some will eventually buy a proper M3.
It is theory. The M3 attracts to stay loyal to the company, but not sure how many older people accumulate wealth and later buy it. Either they had it, or they won't.


mikeavelli
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
ES might do very well in Europe, if Lexus markets the car specially in countries other than Germany. Lack of AWD is bad, from a marketing perspective, especially in Switzerland and northern countries.
L
ssun30
It's a closed cycle: the M3 attracts people to buy the regular 3 series, BMW give them the instant gratification with that M-sport add-on, when those people grow older and accumulate wealth some will eventually buy a proper M3.
It is theory. The M3 attracts to stay loyal to the company, but not sure how many older people accumulate wealth and later buy it. Either they had it, or they won't.


mikeavelli
The GS got squeezed. With the Germans the cars and classes are easily differentiated by size..
3/5/7 etc..

Here Lexus has a GS that's more than an ES but smaller. The ES is an easy sell the GS is not for a salesperson. They will just try to sell an ES without some sort of kick back or incentive.

It's not just the GS though. At least the GS sold well some years. The Japanese branded RLX and Q70 always sold poorly. The Germans dominate with the 5/E and now A6. Caddy struggles here too with the CtS.

It will be interesting to see how this ES is marketed and how the public welcomes it now that it's turned a corner. I'm very curious on pricing.

I'm really shocked AWD wasn't an option.
ES might do very well in Europe, if Lexus markets the car specially in countries other than Germany. Lack of AWD is bad, from a marketing perspective, especially in Switzerland and northern countries.
S
spwolf
It is not really true though... We never had ES in Europe and still "nobody" bought GS. Everyone "wants" GS, but they dont want to pay for it over competition. It has very little to do with ES itself.

So obviously when you look at old ES and GS next to each other, it is pretty obvious that GS is much superior car... it looks better and interior is a lot better (even if boring), it is very high quality.

But then you look at the price and for $10k difference it is not worth it, or in the case of Europe, you get base E/A6/5 with 2.0d and much cheaper price.
Well it doesn't make any difference now does it? The GS did not undercut its competition in price which is what a Lexus vehicle typically needs due to weaker brand image. So GS was never given a fair chance by Lexus itself.

On the other hand, none of those people who wanted a GS has any complaint about the new ES. They said it looks right and feels right unlike the outgoing XV60. So no need to mourn the death of GS too much.
S
spwolf
It is not really true though... We never had ES in Europe and still "nobody" bought GS. Everyone "wants" GS, but they dont want to pay for it over competition. It has very little to do with ES itself.

So obviously when you look at old ES and GS next to each other, it is pretty obvious that GS is much superior car... it looks better and interior is a lot better (even if boring), it is very high quality.

But then you look at the price and for $10k difference it is not worth it, or in the case of Europe, you get base E/A6/5 with 2.0d and much cheaper price.
Well it doesn't make any difference now does it? The GS did not undercut its competition in price which is what a Lexus vehicle typically needs due to weaker brand image. So GS was never given a fair chance by Lexus itself.

On the other hand, none of those people who wanted a GS has any complaint about the new ES. They said it looks right and feels right unlike the outgoing XV60. So no need to mourn the death of GS too much.
S
spwolf
It is not really true though... We never had ES in Europe and still "nobody" bought GS. Everyone "wants" GS, but they dont want to pay for it over competition. It has very little to do with ES itself.

So obviously when you look at old ES and GS next to each other, it is pretty obvious that GS is much superior car... it looks better and interior is a lot better (even if boring), it is very high quality.

But then you look at the price and for $10k difference it is not worth it, or in the case of Europe, you get base E/A6/5 with 2.0d and much cheaper price.
Well it doesn't make any difference now does it? The GS did not undercut its competition in price which is what a Lexus vehicle typically needs due to weaker brand image. So GS was never given a fair chance by Lexus itself.

On the other hand, none of those people who wanted a GS has any complaint about the new ES. They said it looks right and feels right unlike the outgoing XV60. So no need to mourn the death of GS too much.
S
spwolf
It is not really true though... We never had ES in Europe and still "nobody" bought GS. Everyone "wants" GS, but they dont want to pay for it over competition. It has very little to do with ES itself.

So obviously when you look at old ES and GS next to each other, it is pretty obvious that GS is much superior car... it looks better and interior is a lot better (even if boring), it is very high quality.

But then you look at the price and for $10k difference it is not worth it, or in the case of Europe, you get base E/A6/5 with 2.0d and much cheaper price.
Well it doesn't make any difference now does it? The GS did not undercut its competition in price which is what a Lexus vehicle typically needs due to weaker brand image. So GS was never given a fair chance by Lexus itself.

On the other hand, none of those people who wanted a GS has any complaint about the new ES. They said it looks right and feels right unlike the outgoing XV60. So no need to mourn the death of GS too much.
S
spwolf
It is not really true though... We never had ES in Europe and still "nobody" bought GS. Everyone "wants" GS, but they dont want to pay for it over competition. It has very little to do with ES itself.

So obviously when you look at old ES and GS next to each other, it is pretty obvious that GS is much superior car... it looks better and interior is a lot better (even if boring), it is very high quality.

But then you look at the price and for $10k difference it is not worth it, or in the case of Europe, you get base E/A6/5 with 2.0d and much cheaper price.
Well it doesn't make any difference now does it? The GS did not undercut its competition in price which is what a Lexus vehicle typically needs due to weaker brand image. So GS was never given a fair chance by Lexus itself.

On the other hand, none of those people who wanted a GS has any complaint about the new ES. They said it looks right and feels right unlike the outgoing XV60. So no need to mourn the death of GS too much.
Joaquin Ruhi
I think this post from TheNerdyPotato on the separate Toyota & Lexus Future Powertrain Discussion thread is also relevant here:

TheNerdyPotato
Anyone remember the Yaris Hybrid R concept from about 5 years ago? That was a sick little concept car. Too bad they never actually built one for production.

https://newsroom.toyota.eu/toyota-yaris-hybrid-r-420hp-hybrid-powertrain-details-revealed/

I guess the tech is still in development in some form or another. E-Four AWD is coming, and was mentioned in the OP's linked article.

Speaking of which, the OP article states that E-Four will feature 30% more torque than the current systems. A quick search on Google says that the Prius AWD has a 5kW rear axle motor while the larger Highlander features a 50kW motor. Both of those are a far cry from the dual 60HP/45kW motors on the HybridR.

I've seen a statement somewhere recently that the Avalon/ES won't be getting AWD "yet." Perhaps, it'll be on the hybrid versions. Perhaps, they'll make a HybridR-inspired version of the V6, which could be a beast with the upgraded rear axle motors and KERS-style regenerative braking.
Toyota has touted its "multiple hybrid" (some fuel economy-oriented, others geared more towards performance) strategy going forward, with the European 3rd-gen Auris clearly an example of this. Outside North America, Lexus GS buyers have had a choice of an economical GS 300h or a performance GS 450h.

My point? If, indeed, ES winds up replacing the full GS line, we may well see an ES 450h with a naturally-aspirated V6 hybrid powertrain (be it the current 2GR-FXS from the RX 450h or a new variant of the V35A V6 engine family), with enthusiast-friendly tricks such as E-Four AWD and Direct Shift CVT.
Joaquin Ruhi
I think this post from TheNerdyPotato on the separate Toyota & Lexus Future Powertrain Discussion thread is also relevant here:

TheNerdyPotato
Anyone remember the Yaris Hybrid R concept from about 5 years ago? That was a sick little concept car. Too bad they never actually built one for production.

https://newsroom.toyota.eu/toyota-yaris-hybrid-r-420hp-hybrid-powertrain-details-revealed/

I guess the tech is still in development in some form or another. E-Four AWD is coming, and was mentioned in the OP's linked article.

Speaking of which, the OP article states that E-Four will feature 30% more torque than the current systems. A quick search on Google says that the Prius AWD has a 5kW rear axle motor while the larger Highlander features a 50kW motor. Both of those are a far cry from the dual 60HP/45kW motors on the HybridR.

I've seen a statement somewhere recently that the Avalon/ES won't be getting AWD "yet." Perhaps, it'll be on the hybrid versions. Perhaps, they'll make a HybridR-inspired version of the V6, which could be a beast with the upgraded rear axle motors and KERS-style regenerative braking.
Toyota has touted its "multiple hybrid" (some fuel economy-oriented, others geared more towards performance) strategy going forward, with the European 3rd-gen Auris clearly an example of this. Outside North America, Lexus GS buyers have had a choice of an economical GS 300h or a performance GS 450h.

My point? If, indeed, ES winds up replacing the full GS line, we may well see an ES 450h with a naturally-aspirated V6 hybrid powertrain (be it the current 2GR-FXS from the RX 450h or a new variant of the V35A V6 engine family), with enthusiast-friendly tricks such as E-Four AWD and Direct Shift CVT.
Joaquin Ruhi
I think this post from TheNerdyPotato on the separate Toyota & Lexus Future Powertrain Discussion thread is also relevant here:

TheNerdyPotato
Anyone remember the Yaris Hybrid R concept from about 5 years ago? That was a sick little concept car. Too bad they never actually built one for production.

https://newsroom.toyota.eu/toyota-yaris-hybrid-r-420hp-hybrid-powertrain-details-revealed/

I guess the tech is still in development in some form or another. E-Four AWD is coming, and was mentioned in the OP's linked article.

Speaking of which, the OP article states that E-Four will feature 30% more torque than the current systems. A quick search on Google says that the Prius AWD has a 5kW rear axle motor while the larger Highlander features a 50kW motor. Both of those are a far cry from the dual 60HP/45kW motors on the HybridR.

I've seen a statement somewhere recently that the Avalon/ES won't be getting AWD "yet." Perhaps, it'll be on the hybrid versions. Perhaps, they'll make a HybridR-inspired version of the V6, which could be a beast with the upgraded rear axle motors and KERS-style regenerative braking.
Toyota has touted its "multiple hybrid" (some fuel economy-oriented, others geared more towards performance) strategy going forward, with the European 3rd-gen Auris clearly an example of this. Outside North America, Lexus GS buyers have had a choice of an economical GS 300h or a performance GS 450h.

My point? If, indeed, ES winds up replacing the full GS line, we may well see an ES 450h with a naturally-aspirated V6 hybrid powertrain (be it the current 2GR-FXS from the RX 450h or a new variant of the V35A V6 engine family), with enthusiast-friendly tricks such as E-Four AWD and Direct Shift CVT.
Joaquin Ruhi
I think this post from TheNerdyPotato on the separate Toyota & Lexus Future Powertrain Discussion thread is also relevant here:

TheNerdyPotato
Anyone remember the Yaris Hybrid R concept from about 5 years ago? That was a sick little concept car. Too bad they never actually built one for production.

https://newsroom.toyota.eu/toyota-yaris-hybrid-r-420hp-hybrid-powertrain-details-revealed/

I guess the tech is still in development in some form or another. E-Four AWD is coming, and was mentioned in the OP's linked article.

Speaking of which, the OP article states that E-Four will feature 30% more torque than the current systems. A quick search on Google says that the Prius AWD has a 5kW rear axle motor while the larger Highlander features a 50kW motor. Both of those are a far cry from the dual 60HP/45kW motors on the HybridR.

I've seen a statement somewhere recently that the Avalon/ES won't be getting AWD "yet." Perhaps, it'll be on the hybrid versions. Perhaps, they'll make a HybridR-inspired version of the V6, which could be a beast with the upgraded rear axle motors and KERS-style regenerative braking.
Toyota has touted its "multiple hybrid" (some fuel economy-oriented, others geared more towards performance) strategy going forward, with the European 3rd-gen Auris clearly an example of this. Outside North America, Lexus GS buyers have had a choice of an economical GS 300h or a performance GS 450h.

My point? If, indeed, ES winds up replacing the full GS line, we may well see an ES 450h with a naturally-aspirated V6 hybrid powertrain (be it the current 2GR-FXS from the RX 450h or a new variant of the V35A V6 engine family), with enthusiast-friendly tricks such as E-Four AWD and Direct Shift CVT.
Joaquin Ruhi
I think this post from TheNerdyPotato on the separate Toyota & Lexus Future Powertrain Discussion thread is also relevant here:

TheNerdyPotato
Anyone remember the Yaris Hybrid R concept from about 5 years ago? That was a sick little concept car. Too bad they never actually built one for production.

https://newsroom.toyota.eu/toyota-yaris-hybrid-r-420hp-hybrid-powertrain-details-revealed/

I guess the tech is still in development in some form or another. E-Four AWD is coming, and was mentioned in the OP's linked article.

Speaking of which, the OP article states that E-Four will feature 30% more torque than the current systems. A quick search on Google says that the Prius AWD has a 5kW rear axle motor while the larger Highlander features a 50kW motor. Both of those are a far cry from the dual 60HP/45kW motors on the HybridR.

I've seen a statement somewhere recently that the Avalon/ES won't be getting AWD "yet." Perhaps, it'll be on the hybrid versions. Perhaps, they'll make a HybridR-inspired version of the V6, which could be a beast with the upgraded rear axle motors and KERS-style regenerative braking.
Toyota has touted its "multiple hybrid" (some fuel economy-oriented, others geared more towards performance) strategy going forward, with the European 3rd-gen Auris clearly an example of this. Outside North America, Lexus GS buyers have had a choice of an economical GS 300h or a performance GS 450h.

My point? If, indeed, ES winds up replacing the full GS line, we may well see an ES 450h with a naturally-aspirated V6 hybrid powertrain (be it the current 2GR-FXS from the RX 450h or a new variant of the V35A V6 engine family), with enthusiast-friendly tricks such as E-Four AWD and Direct Shift CVT.
Gecko
spwolf
It is not really true though... We never had ES in Europe and still "nobody" bought GS. Everyone "wants" GS, but they dont want to pay for it over competition. It has very little to do with ES itself.

But then you look at the price and for $10k difference it is not worth it, or in the case of Europe, you get base E/A6/5 with 2.0d and much cheaper price.
This is not true at all in N.A. Buyers come into a dealership wanting GS and are sold into an ES for the reasons @ssun30 mentions. Dealers don't stock many GSs, keep plenty of ESs in popular color combinations and then highlight how ES is "basically the same car for $10k less." Buyer feels like they are getting a value and leave with an ES. I can only speak for N.A. market, but this is exactly how it happens/happened 85% of the time - I have worked in dealers and at the OEM level for Lexus so I have seen this with my own two eyes.

It is the ES that killed the GS, plain and simple. No questions asked.
Gecko
spwolf
It is not really true though... We never had ES in Europe and still "nobody" bought GS. Everyone "wants" GS, but they dont want to pay for it over competition. It has very little to do with ES itself.

But then you look at the price and for $10k difference it is not worth it, or in the case of Europe, you get base E/A6/5 with 2.0d and much cheaper price.
This is not true at all in N.A. Buyers come into a dealership wanting GS and are sold into an ES for the reasons @ssun30 mentions. Dealers don't stock many GSs, keep plenty of ESs in popular color combinations and then highlight how ES is "basically the same car for $10k less." Buyer feels like they are getting a value and leave with an ES. I can only speak for N.A. market, but this is exactly how it happens/happened 85% of the time - I have worked in dealers and at the OEM level for Lexus so I have seen this with my own two eyes.

It is the ES that killed the GS, plain and simple. No questions asked.

G