After nearly three decades of unprecedented success in the luxury segment, Lexus is forging a new, more ambitious path as it unveils the all-new 2019 Lexus ES in Doha today. Long known for its unparalleled comfort, refinement, and luxury appointments, the all-new Lexus ES builds on its strengths with an all-new platform that allows for a more dynamic exterior design and even better driving performance.
Mr. Firas Mufti Senior Marketing Manager opened up the event by disclosing some background information about the chief engineer Yasuhiro Sakakibara the person responsible for the new ES. Mr. Sakakibara had one clear goal when it came to the ES: ‘Transform its image.’ That meant further sharpening a sedan, known primarily for comfort and quietness, and adding class-leading handling and power that you can feel and hear.
According to Sakakibara, the all-new Lexus ES has been built to deliver a fundamentally higher level of performance than any of its predecessors. He revealed: “With every new generation of the ES, the team works towards exceeding our customers’ needs and expectations. The all-new 2019 Lexus ES embodies our vision of developing a model that blends key elements of design and performance in a way that would deliver a higher level of enjoyment for its drivers and passengers. We knew this ES had to feel responsive and easy to drive, no matter what kind of road it was on. That can only be achieved with a solid foundation.”
That foundation is the newly developed GA-K platform. It is an exceptionally rigid front-wheel-drive chassis made from several grades of high-strength steel. The GA-K platform also incorporates far more structural adhesives than the previous ES platform, as well as laser screw welding – a construction method shared with the LS sedan, which is used in 120 locations throughout the GA-K platform to further solidify the already robust structure. Additional measures were used to improve front-end stiffness, including a strut tower brace, multiple reinforcement panels for the strut towers themselves, and new radiator support braces.
Yugo Miyamoto, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of the all-new Lexus ES in Qatar to complement the phenomenal success of the model and also to pave the way for a futuristic driving experience in the region. Building on the distinctive characteristics of the ES, such as the unparalleled ride comfort and quietness, refinement, and luxury appointments, the Lexus engineers challenged their craftsmanship to sculpt the exciting, all-new sedan.”
One of two major additions to the all-new Lexus ES lineup includes the ES 300h, an electrified hybrid model, which combines two power sources consisting of a petrol engine and two electric motors. The class-leading hybrid electric model enables customers to contribute to a sustainable future while enjoying increased driving satisfaction and engagement provided by its advanced technologies and cabin quietness, as well as its acceleration smoothness, especially when starting off.
The second addition is the all-new 2019 Lexus ES F SPORT model, which further enhances the driving excitement so that drivers can enjoy a sense of oneness with the car, born of its ability to respond immediately to driving enthusiasts’ intentions in various situations. In addition to a thrilling exterior that highlights its bold and aggressive personality, the all-new Lexus ES F SPORT features numerous upgrades such as a retuned suspension, 19-inch wheels and tires, and unique aluminum interior trim that gives the machine a more dynamic look and feel.
The introduction of the all-new 2019 Lexus ES continues the expression of the brand’s design direction and commitment towards crafting vehicles with heightened excitement, emotion, and passion, expanding that vision of the brand’s future to a broader audience. The provocative elegance of the design starts up front with the latest iteration of the brand’s signature grille, but adds individual cues that are unique to the ES such as the vertical grille pattern and satin-plated trim, adding slim headlamps with distinctive L-shaped marker lights. In profile, the ES has a dynamic yet fluid shape that starts with the low hoodline that feeds into the sleek roofline. The rear of the all-new Lexus ES is clean and sharply chiseled, with distinctive three-dimensional, L-shaped LED taillamps that wrap around the quarter panels to provide a continuous styling line from any angle.
Complementing the all-new Lexus ES emotional design is a thrilling drive personality imbued by three powertrain options. The ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that is designed to deliver commanding acceleration along with an invigorating sound. With an update to the D4-S fuel injection system, the impressively smooth engine now produces 300 hp and 36.4 kg-m of torque, while the ES 250 is powered by an all-new, high-efficiency 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 204 hp and 24.8 kg-m of torque. This aluminum-intensive engine features a long-stroke design, laser-clad intake valve seats and advanced Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) to achieve a new high-speed combustion process.
The two powertrains on ES 350 and ES 250 are mated to a new eight-speed direct-shift automatic transmission. This uses an ultra-thin torque converter and a multi-plate lock-up clutch to more efficiently transfer power to the front wheels, and has been tuned to deliver crisp, precisely-timed shifts with quick pedal responses.
In addition, an electrified hybrid powertrain was developed for the all-new ES. This third powertrain option combines two power sources consisting of a petrol engine and two electric motors, producing 176 hp and 22.5 kg-m of torque and 118 hp and 20.6 kg-m of torque, respectively, delivering a combined system output of 215 hp. This powertrain is also mated to a new hybrid transaxle that provides the lowest fuel consumption value of 22.4km/L, and highest driving performance of this class. The hybrid transaxle offers differential limit torque under certain conditions such as light loads or low rotational speed differences, to help realize excellent straight-line stability against external disturbances as well as steering stability.
The class-leading hybrid electric model ES 300h can be driven entirely by either electrical power with zero-fuel consumption and carbon emissions, or with a combination of a petrol engine and two electric motors, depending on the vehicle’s speed and customer’s driving behavior. The batteries in the hybrid electric drivetrain are automatically charged by either the petrol engine or when braking and decelerating, eliminating the need to plug in a power cord. Furthermore, the ES 300h electrified hybrid model features a host of advanced technologies, yet drives like any other conventional car and does not require special fuel.
Completing the all-new Lexus ES’ distinct personality is its exquisite interior that invites the driver and passengers to enjoy a range of advanced features offering a refined cabin experience. These include an enhanced in-vehicle 12.3-inch multimedia display, a 10.2-inch colored and adjustable head-up display (HUD), a 7-inch color multi-information display (MID), a wireless charging system for smartphones, an LED ambient illumination, the Lexus Climate Concierge with a 3-zone independent temperature control system, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, multi-adjustable power and ventilated front seats, power reclining rear seats, a rear armrest with multi-operation panel, and a hands-free power trunk lid.
Highlighting Lexus’ unrelenting focus on safety, the all-new vehicle ensures complete peace of mind with Lexus Safety System+, an advanced safety technology package that includes Pre-Collision System (PCS) with pedestrian detection during daylight and certain low-light condition, all-speed range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with a new feature called Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and two-stage adaptive high beam system (AHS). In addition, the car features a comprehensive array of safety features to protect its occupants, such as 10 SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Parking Support Alert (PKSA), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Active Cornering Assist (ACA), and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), among many others.
Available in 12 distinctive exterior colors, the all-new Lexus ES allows customers to express their individuality with two exclusive colors for the F SPORT version. Two newly-developed exterior colors, Ice Ecru Mica Metallic and Sunlight Green Mica Metallic, further evoke the luxurious and glamorous atmosphere. On the other hand, the interior comes in a total of five color schemes, with two new schemes called Rich Cream and Chateau, and an exclusive scheme for the F SPORT. There are five available ornamentations depending on the grade, with three new designs, including Bamboo, Shimamoku Black, and a Dynamic pattern called ‘3D Film,’ along with one exclusive design for the F SPORT. Furthermore, the all-new model has been rearmed with four new wheel designs; a 17-inch wheel, two 18-inch wheels – with one wheel developed to reduce weight, enhance rigidity, and suppress noise generated by the tires – and a 19-inch wheel that is exclusive for the F SPORT.