REVEALED! 8th Generation Lexus ES Megathread (ES 350h, ES 350e, ES 500e)

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I'm curious why the ES didn't receive the more powerful motors from either the BZ Woodlands (375 hp) or even the RZ 550e (~400hp)? Was it due to packaging constraints or voltage/current limitarions (excuse my lack of technical knowledge)?

Most likely packaging. Guess CUVs have more real estate.
 

Levi

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Packaging? No. Porsche used the “packaging” excuse to not give its sports cars a proper front suspension, all of a sudden they managed to fit in double wishbone front suspension without any impact on frunk or anything else.

Real reason? Milking till there’s blood….
 

sl0519

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LOL I still can’t believe some people actually buy the crap car companies say. If you look at EVs from other brands, there are tons of examples proving it’s not a space issue (@ssun30 can easily prove it :D). This gen ES got so much taller and longer, and you are telling me it's packaging? If anything, a FWD platform should be even better at maximizing interior space compared to RWD cars. No matter how you dice it, of course it’s laziness and unwillingness to innovate. C’mon bruh!
 
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ssun30

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I'm curious why the ES didn't receive the more powerful motors from either the BZ Woodlands (375 hp) or even the RZ 550e (~400hp)? Was it due to packaging constraints or voltage/current limitarions (excuse my lack of technical knowledge)?
There are no inherent limitations. The hardware are identical. ES engineers just think their customers don't want more power.
 
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Tried watching videos to see if the design will grow on me, i think the profile works if it weren't so tall. if it sat a couple inches lower i think it works. I'm glad they stuck some kind of wood/bamboo whatever trim back into the interior and the backlighting is a neat idea. They truly had been trending backwards with interior design with the RX, TX, and GX, so it's a step in the right direction.

Overall though, I feel like Lexus isn't trying because they don't have to. looking at the above posts of the platforms and all that it is clear they are being complacent and have been for a while. none of their current lineup that is not the LC500 is impressive or class leading, they're selling on their name/reliability. The sales numbers are proving that this is the right strategy, I just personally don't like it... but tough **** for me haha
 

b.ba

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There are no inherent limitations. The hardware are identical. ES engineers just think their customers don't want more power.
Remember when Lexus engineers backed out of an aluminum frame construction for the LFA (even though they were already so far in development!) and onto a carbon fiber chassis for the sake of hitting their performance goals? Pepperidge Farm remembers 🙂
 

sl0519

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Tried watching videos to see if the design will grow on me, i think the profile works if it weren't so tall. if it sat a couple inches lower i think it works. I'm glad they stuck some kind of wood/bamboo whatever trim back into the interior and the backlighting is a neat idea. They truly had been trending backwards with interior design with the RX, TX, and GX, so it's a step in the right direction.

Overall though, I feel like Lexus isn't trying because they don't have to. looking at the above posts of the platforms and all that it is clear they are being complacent and have been for a while. none of their current lineup that is not the LC500 is impressive or class leading, they're selling on their name/reliability. The sales numbers are proving that this is the right strategy, I just personally don't like it... but tough **** for me haha

To be honest, I also think the problem isn’t with the design itself. A lot of the design elements actually look pretty futuristic. But trying to make a platform work for both hybrid and EV setups, plus poor engineering and just plain laziness - really messed up the proportions. (And never believe those carmakers when they say they raised the height for “easier access.” Porsche’s active ride system proves that’s total BS.)

As for the interior, it’s definitely a lot more modern and breaks away some of the old touches and outdated elements - except for that lifeless steering wheel and the tombstone-style screen. The design is very trendy, but now you also start seeing bits and pieces that feel borrowed from other brands. The classic Lexus DNA, like the two-stepped center console and the wraparound design that flows from the console to the door panels found on the LC and the LS, is totally gone.

Honestly, the ideas behind the design were good - it’s the execution that was so terrible, and that’s why it’s getting slammed so hard.
 

spwolf

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With the launch of the new RAV4 it's increasingly suspicious that the ES powertrain lineup is also intentionally sabotaged. It could have been 350h, 350e, 450h+, 550e and we would criticize it much less harshly. But the PHEV option is off limits, and the flagship EV option is shared with the subcompact C-HR+. It looks to me that going forward no Lexus product is allowed to steal the spotlight from a Toyota product launched in the similar timeframe.

The current generation NX launched 3 years behind its RAV4 brother, so it's likely we won't see the new PHEV powertrain on a Lexus until 2028. Maybe by then it would use the new 1.5T engine and a newer battery, but I no longer have the confidence that these most advanced tech are allowed on a Lexus product. What will happen is the Harrier and refreshed Crown Sport/Estate get these updates years before the NX or RX get them. In their video they even hinted at a Crown Cross with the new PHEV powertrain.

Even for the EVs I think the Lexus Shanghai branch will be years behind Toyota JVs that can use the latest and greatest platform and components from their Chinese ODMs. bZ3X has been an overwhelming success at launch and the bZ7 will likely carry that momentum.

that sounds correct. Yaris is next TMC flagship.

jesus.
 

internalaudit

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There are no inherent limitations. The hardware are identical. ES engineers just think their customers don't want more power.
Upping the power on BEVs and PHEVs seem very easy, it's control and dynamics that probably have to be improved.

In the late 80s to mid 90's, most improvements from one model to another (especially Japanese vehicles) were increased torsional rigidity, 10% better fuel economy and 10% more power.

Nowadays, BEVs can be equipped with four motors and easily hit 1,000 HP. For ICE, that's going to be very tough with all the cooling/ducting involved.
 

mediumhot

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LOL I still can’t believe some people actually buy the crap car companies say. If you look at EVs from other brands, there are tons of examples proving it’s not a space issue (@ssun30 can easily prove it :D). This gen ES got so much taller and longer, and you are telling me it's packaging? If anything, a FWD platform should be even better at maximizing interior space compared to RWD cars. No matter how you dice it, of course it’s laziness and unwillingness to innovate. C’mon bruh!

You are giving way too many props to Toyota engineers working on side projects :)
Prius Prime at the time was the worst PHEV on the market and it wasn't because Toyota held off on something, it was genuinely poorly designed and as is it was released for sale. And it was their second attempt, not the first. Same thing happened with Lexus UX300e their first BEV attempt. Sure you can call them compliance cars. Packaging in new ES is the real problem cause only FWD version will get reclining rear seats.
 

spwolf

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@mikeavelli when are you going to get to drive new ES?

I know people hate it but there is little chance that the is not the most luxurious ES ever.

Not only it has auto close doors, it also has vgrs. Interior quality on Chinese shiw video looks high on videos.

Today first drive videos of new BZ were released, with same motors it did 0-60 in 4.7s. Plus range is 276 for awd and 316 for fwd, and i can't see how ES should not be little bit higher in both measurements.

From the chinese videos with car powered on, it also has arena os.