Pure Electric Lexus ES Prototype Spotted in Japan?

Posted by Kevin on March 4th, 2019

A Lexus ES prototype has been spotted by Japanese magazine Mag-X, and the modifications are extreme — the camouflaged sedan appears to have much smaller rear doors and a truncated trunk:

Lexus ES MOdified Prototype Rear

Lexus ES Modified Sedan

Mag-X hypothesizes that the prototype could be the initial test for Lexus’ first full-electric sedan, though there’s nothing in the spy shots to prove the point definitively.

It’s the reduced size that garners the most speculation, as there’s no clear reason why Lexus would be testing a smaller wheelbase ES. Mag-X takes a bold stance, suggesting the next-generation IS will start with the front-wheel drive ES platform and convert it to rear-wheel drive. I have no idea how they reached this conclusion.

Lexus IS Electric Sedan

Perhaps the truth is too obvious — maybe Lexus has decided that a smaller version of the ES would be perfect for their first pure-electric sedan. The prototype measurements given by Mag-X (4650 x 1800 x 1450mm) match up quite well with the Tesla Model 3 (4690 x 1930 x 1440mm), and that’s a car that every luxury manufacturer has to be taking very seriously.

Lexus Mag-X Electric Sedan

Lexus ES: Sixth Generation
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Comments
CIF
Likely not an ES testing. Looks like simply an ES shell to throw us off. What is testing underneath is a mystery, based on the different wild guesses from Mag-X. Could be almost anything really. Could even possibly be a Toyota model being tested underneath that shell.
krew
CIF
Likely not an ES testing. Looks like simply an ES shell to throw us off. What is testing underneath is a mystery, based on the different wild guesses from Mag-X. Could be almost anything really. Could even possibly be a Toyota model being tested underneath that shell.
I really enjoyed Mag-X going pure crazy and suggesting the IS would be built on a modified FWD platform. Agree with you completely, there's no guarantee it's a Lexus at all (though I do think it is).
CIF
krew
I really enjoyed Mag-X going pure crazy and suggesting the IS would be built on a modified FWD platform. Agree with you completely, there's no guarantee it's a Lexus at all (though I do think it is).
Hah yeah same. Remember the Frankenstein GS from years ago that was an early TNGA-L mule? Or going back to the early to mid 2000s....the Frankenstein Toyota Crown that was a mule for the XE20 IS-F? This reminds me of that, so I honestly don't know what this could be.
flexus
Only certain thing about dimensions is that it's not getting any wider and it's a D-segment car.
Will1991
Finally! Awesome news!
Looking forward next update on this!
A
If you guys look at it carefully, the front is obviously from the LS. The hood cut out and the silhouette of the side intake is clearly not from the ES. The back does look like the ES, but it also look like the IS.
why would Lexus take off 300mm from the ES just to make it a BEV? It does not make any sense.
This looks like an IS mule more than anything else if the dimensions are correct.
Lastly, why would Lexus use the GAK platform and convert it to RWD for the IS? It’s easier to just shorten the GAL platform from the LS and LC.
S
not sure why would it be ES prototype? Obviously they are testing new CT Sedan

:)
Will1991
spwolf
not sure why would it be ES prototype? Obviously they are testing new CT Sedan

:)
They do mention HS250h on the article (one of the few designation I'm able to understand), and it would be quite an excellent product (keeping in line with LS, LC, ES, UX).

Also, I'm not seeing this one being production ready for 2020 Tokyo Olympics as it seems being in very early stages of development.
S
Will1991
They do mention HS250h on the article (one of the few designation I'm able to understand), and it would be quite an excellent product (keeping in line with LS, LC, ES, UX).

Also, I'm not seeing this one being production ready for 2020 Tokyo Olympics as it seems being in very early stages of development.
Do you mean EV version or CT Sedan in general? It could certainly come by July 2020.

There were many reports about Lexus launching EV by then, but I think it was supposed to be UX based.

In any case, if it is CT Sedan, then it will be offered in many configurations/powertrains, depending on the market. So hybrid, turbo, etc.

It also makes sense because 4.6-4.7m sedan factor is very popular in China, and even Europe where there is legislation supporting these EV sedans.
flexus
Will1991
They do mention HS250h on the article (one of the few designation I'm able to understand), and it would be quite an excellent product (keeping in line with LS, LC, ES, UX).

Also, I'm not seeing this one being production ready for 2020 Tokyo Olympics as it seems being in very early stages of development.
Unfortunately it doesn't say nothing about HS
S
flexus
Unfortunately it doesn't say nothing about HS
i very much doubt it would be called HS... it will be version of CT most likely, but maybe not?I think it will, because markets that like sedan, dont like hatchback version and vice versa, it makes sense to make it like Corolla - identical in 95% of things.
flexus
spwolf
i very much doubt it would be called HS... it will be version of CT most likely, but maybe not?I think it will, because markets that like sedan, dont like hatchback version and vice versa, it makes sense to make it like Corolla - identical in 95% of things.
It would be market exclusive for Japan Europe and emerging markets.
Will1991
flexus
Unfortunately it doesn't say nothing about HS


On the original post, one of the few things I can read :p
S
flexus
It would be market exclusive for Japan Europe and emerging markets.
as I said, if they are making CT Sedan EV, they will make CT Sedan 250h, CT Sedan 2.0l, etc... they will not just make EV version.
S
just like there will be UX EV or PHEV or whatever else they plan.
flexus
Will1991


On the original post, one of the few things I can read :p
It says "It's better looking than now discontinued HS250H"
flexus
spwolf
as I said, if they are making CT Sedan EV, they will make CT Sedan 250h, CT Sedan 2.0l, etc... they will not just make EV version.
Maybe different naming they are not going to discontinue hatchback.
S
flexus
Maybe different naming they are not going to discontinue hatchback.
that is why I mentioned Corolla - they might want to do everything like they did with Corolla... same name, different versions.
flexus
spwolf
that is why I mentioned Corolla - they might want to do everything like they did with Corolla... same name, different versions.
I would be so happy if they make estate model.
Will1991
flexus
It says "It's better looking than now discontinued HS250H"
That should be one of the most important feature for any new Lexus :innocent:
Thank you for the translation.
I
I hope these Lexus BEVs (sedans or CUVs) arrive before my need for one arises in 2022/23.
Trexus
That would be cool if Lexus brought back the HS in full electric version (HS 300e). The HS is shorter than the ES but the HS cabin is decent size. Lexus bring in an onslaught of EV's.

Sedan
HS 300e

CUV
UX 300e

T