Next-Generation Lexus ES & ES F SPORT Prototypes Spotted!

[RAL]

Which is which? ... is it the F-Sport that has the triple LEDs or the base model? F-Sport appears to have exposed rear reflectors and exhaust tips. I was thinking the F-Sport had the spindle with the vertical-ish elements and the cross bar that looks more like camouflage ... although it makes sense the F-Sport would be more likely to have the triple LEDs.

 

[Gecko]

Which is which? ... is it the F-Sport that has the triple LEDs or the base model? F-Sport appears to have exposed rear reflectors and exhaust tips. I was thinking the F-Sport had the spindle with the vertical-ish elements and the cross bar that looks more like camouflage ... although it makes sense the F-Sport would be more likely to have the triple LEDs.

F Sport has triple LEDs, exposed exhaust tips, mesh grill, split 5 spoke wheels.

The other car - standard, or maybe a luxury package - has the multi spoke wheels, seemingly vertical slats in the spindle grill, traditional projector headlights.

The lack of exhaust outlets actually makes me wonder if the "standard" car could be a hybrid? ES300h, ES 350h?

 

[mediumhot]

Well we could say it's now definite ES will be the Lexus sole midsize bread and butter since for the first time its going to be available world wide. We can only hope GS is going upscale to grab CLS/A7/6GT piece of the market

 

[mediumhot]

Note that the headlight design for ES seems to have an integrated DRL like RX. This is kind of surprising to me because if any car was going to have an integrated DRL, I'd have thought for sure it would be the LS. Not sure why they seem to be stepping back to safer territory with this new ES.

It's single piece like on LS, DRL brow separates from the cluster as it approaches the wheel arch. It's not as exaggerated as on LS but its the same design principle.

 

[Gecko]

I don't know that I agree. To me, at least on these mules, it looks pretty clearly like a simple check integrated into the main headlight housing. LS has the unique bottom portion that stands alone and then leads into the main headlight.

I see more of this:

Not this:

 

[mediumhot]

 

[Gecko]

I see what you mean now! A mix of both really!

 

[joepac]

Does anyone think this could actually be the GS and not the next ES?

I dont think so...If you look at the original article, the 3rd picture (profile shot) shows a long front overhang and a very close front door edge to the wheel well suggesting this is FWD.

I think the GS is going bye bye. Sucks. My first lexus was a 1998 GS400. That thing was a beast for its time.

Edit: I saw this though at Top Speed and see the wider gap from the door edge to the wheel well? The GS may live on!

 

[joepac]

it would be interesting to learn about the type of engine and how the interior looks. To me this strongly suggests that the GS is going to go. However, I cannot see Lexus dropping the GS F since it is a critical part of the F performance line up that they are heavily promoting. Interesting nonetheless

Unless there is a new IS-F in the works that may be larger than the 3IS...I hope not though. I was hoping for a new GS as my next car.

 

[corradoMR2]

F Sport has triple LEDs, exposed exhaust tips, mesh grill, split 5 spoke wheels.

The other car - standard, or maybe a luxury package - has the multi spoke wheels, seemingly vertical slats in the spindle grill, traditional projector headlights.

The lack of exhaust outlets actually makes me wonder if the "standard" car could be a hybrid? ES300h, ES 350h?

Agree with the exhaust-tip-less ES - it's likely an ESh. It also has the rear spoiler much like today's ESh. Powertrain though I'd be disappointed but not surprised if it's borrowed from the 2018 Camry 's 208 combined net hp powertrain, making it still a "300h" in my book. Hoping power is bumped to 225-240 hp range at the expense of some MPG, and called "350h".

With the 2018 Camry's improved interior quality and style, I'm anxious to to see the ES' interior shed some of the minor cheap plastics of the lower doors, dash, and console for nicer richer materials.

 

[RAL]

Agreed ... the one without exhaust tips could be a hybrid, but how do we know the other one is an F-Sport? (The new non-F-Sport LS and LC have a mesh grille.)

 

[bogglo]

Agreed ... the one without exhaust tips could be a hybrid, but how do we know the other one is an F-Sport? (The new non-F-Sport LS has a mesh grille.)

and the CT also

 

[CIF]

I agree with RAL. How can anyone really be sure these are ES and ES F-Sport trims specifically? What if these are regular and hybrid trims?

Also this in no way signals the end of the GS. A lot of wild speculation and assumptions in this thread IMHO. Also that Motor1 article is atrocious. According to them the ES will "shrink significantly"? What have they been smoking or drinking?

 

[RAL]

I agree with RAL. How can anyone really be sure these are ES and ES F-Sport trims specifically? What if these are regular and hybrid trims?

Also this in no way signals the end of the GS. A lot of wild speculation and assumptions in this thread IMHO. Also that Motor1 article is atrocious. According to them the ES will "shrink significantly"? What have they been smoking or drinking?

They also said the ES bridges the gap between the GS and LS ??????! ...

 

[DDas]

I dont think so...If you look at the original article, the 3rd picture (profile shot) shows a long front overhang and a very close front door edge to the wheel well suggesting this is FWD.

I think the GS is going bye bye. Sucks. My first lexus was a 1998 GS400. That thing was a beast for its time.

Edit: I saw this though at Top Speed and see the wider gap from the door edge to the wheel well? The GS may live on!

Unfortunately, that picture was what people thought was the next GS but turned out to be the next Toyota Crown - not the model posted in the LE article.

 

[DDas]

What I am really noticing when analyzing these pictures is that this model is testing with the GS's competitors. It is also probably still a mule, and I can tell the rear end is pretty current GS-like. I feel like Lexus is testing a way to combine the ES and GS, and this model is it (and will be named ES). What a same if true. I think the GS is reputed better for a luxury sports sedan while the ES has been known as the bland, boring Lexus model (which I don't necessarily agree with because they're gorgeous and pretty decent to drive).

 

[joepac]

Unfortunately, that picture was what people thought was the next GS but turned out to be the next Toyota Crown - not the model posted in the LE article.

Well that sucks

 

[Levi]

I think will have Toyota Crown and Lexus LS related, based on RWD. Lexus ES related with the FWD Toyota Avalon or Camry. I think the Lexus GS and Toyota Mark might be cancelled. The Lexus IS might grown in size, be and be more a sports sedan "coupe". Most by SUVs/CUVs these days, so for a sedan to have a USP is to make it sportier. GX might just be replaced by RX-L.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...nes-plan-for-fewer-sedans-more-crossovers-evs

Cadillac plans to replace sedans by fewer models. It is not certain Volvo will replace the S60/V60, because the XC60 simply will be the better seller. They will soon unveil the XC40. A patent has been filed for "S50". It could be something like between the XC40 and XC60, lower, coupeish like the concept they showed. Telsa Model 3 will definitely hurt premium compact sedans such as 3 Series, C Class, A4, IS, Q50 and ATS.

Land Cruiser / LX will have fierce competition from Range Rover, Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Maserati, Ferrari and Jeep. While except Jeep and Range Rover all other SUVs are not off-road capable and thus do not target the same customers, there are rivals. While I think the next Land Cruiser / LX will have IRS in addition to IFS, I think it will and has to remain BOF, an exception in this class. The new Patrol looks more like a profound facelift, rather than an all new model. Reliability and off-road capability of the Land Cruiser / LX is its main selling point.

The Prado / GX could be replaced worldwide by the Fortuner, which is alot better than the previous one, and is much more SUV than 4x4. With the transition to BEVs, eventually RexEVs, companies have to cut down lowest selling models and body types. With LC, I find the RC redundant in Lexus' lineup. A convertible based on the LC makes more sense than in the RC, also because the RC is approaching its half-life cycle.

Anyway BEVs are the future, better start focusing on those. The only car needing to retain an ICE is the Land Cruiser, until batteries permit 1500 km range.

 

[yosafbridge]

I think Lexus is going the same strategy as the Germans :

Have a functional volume seller daily driver , the ES to tackle the 4 door midsize sedan market and go against the E class and FWD A6 and nonsport 5 series. Have a half step higher, much sportier and much more stylish, more expensive GS to act as the midsize 4 door Grancoupe to tackle the CLS/A7/6 series GC market.


So good news for everyone : Lexus gets to continue to rule the volume luxury midsize business in the upgraded ES and now gets a big boost to its image and profit margin in a lower selling but more expensive , much more stylish 4 door coupe GS -- which driving enthusiasts like us would love to own.

 

[SteVVT-i]

I think will have Toyota Crown and Lexus LS related, based on RWD. Lexus ES related with the FWD Toyota Avalon or Camry. I think the Lexus GS and Toyota Mark might be cancelled. The Lexus IS might grown in size, be and be more a sports sedan "coupe". Most by SUVs/CUVs these days, so for a sedan to have a USP is to make it sportier. GX might just be replaced by RX-L.

The first part of your post describes is the most exciting evolution in automotive history. The rise of CUVs doesn't mean the end of sedans, it only means that all the soccer moms and such are moving to CUVs, sedans can return to the good ol days as sednas. They can be more focused and purposely designed. Thats why the new LS is a full size GT sedan targeting enthusiast rather than just trying to be a luxury cruiser. The ES should and can be a mid size FWD fastback GT and the IS could remain a compact sport sedan. Lexus should not abandon the mid size range but rather build an all new car to consolidate the M5/M6 segment.