As the best-selling model in Lexus’ impressive stable of luxury sedans, the ES has come to define the very essence of what a luxury-sedan should be. It’s evident that this trend will continue as Lexus took the veils off of the exciting new 2016 ES at the Shanghai International Motor Show on April 20, 2015. The new improved ES features an exciting, sportier attitude, highlighted by elegant yet progressive exterior styling, improved luxurious interior construction and the new innovative safety system, Lexus Safety System +.
There’s a new 2.0L, direct-injection powertrain that will broaden the new ES’s global appeal, while enhanced dynamics and upgraded technology packages will keep it ahead of the pack, giving both drivers and passengers the confidence to traverse any distance in utmost safety and comfort.
“Our development concept was ‘Take the ES to the next level of elegance and progressive luxury.’ The Lexus ES is renowned for its innovative exterior and interior design. We wanted to build on that and make it more elegant, and tailor the car with the latest technology Lexus has to offer. We’re confident that the new Lexus ES will be a leader in its class and attract a lot of attention,” said Toshio Asahi, the Chief Engineer of the new ES.
AN ELEGANT, DYNAMIC NEW LOOK
For 2016, Lexus designers have cast a daring new form with the refreshed ES. A commanding front fascia that features Lexus’s trademark spindle grille, framed in combination of accentuated brilliant satin chrome, gives the new ES a new sense of luxury and instantly distinguishes it from the crowd. Accompanying the grille is a pair of newly designed headlights, now equipped with LED projector technology, while iconic “L”-shaped arrowhead Daytime Running Lights (DRL) extend outside the headlight element for a distinctive look that links it with other Lexus models. Also, redesigned fog lamps areas have been relocated to the outer lower corners of the front fascia and amplify the wide stance of the vehicle.
Contoured to project forward, a re-sculpted front fascia connects to the hood adding the sensation of motion even when the car is standing still. The sleek shape continues with the ES’s graceful roofline that flows effortlessly to the rear, where an improved, modern taillight design evokes the “L”-shaped theme furnishing an instantly recognizable night-time glow. Spanning the rear is a re-stylized chrome license plate garnish that flows visually into the clear elements of the lamps to communicate the vehicle’s on-road stability. Adding a considerable amount of flair to the vehicle’s already sporty attitude are newly sculpted chrome-tipped rectangular exhausts.
Four new exterior colours join the ES palette: Copper Brown, Deep Blue, Graphite Black, and Sonic White. Like the six existing choices, each features Lexus’s innovative self-restoring coat, a cutting-edge paint technology that allows the paint’s clear coat to heal itself even from light damage. Each of the 10 colours was carefully selected to reflect the ES’s dynamic surface and is brought to life by the renowned, multi-stage paint process that gives Lexus models their deep, jewel-like lustre.
A LUXURIOUSLY UPDATED CABIN WITH NEW LEVELS OF SOPHISTICATION
When it comes to luxury and refinement, Lexus has no equal. Engineered to provide the ultimate in comfort, finesse and driving confidence, the ES surrounds its occupants with a luxurious, contemporary cabin. From the sweeping dashboard reminiscent of modern architecture to highly intuitive ergonomics mated with the finest materials and surfaces, the ES cultivates a feeling of sheer quality with every touch.
The 2016 model takes luxury to the extreme with a collection of new interior colour combinations, including exquisite multi-colour themes that exemplify elegance. The seats are now offered in four different colours: Topaz Brown, Ivory, Moonstone and Black. Customers can choose from the 3 seat materials: semi-aniline leather, genuine (embossed) leather and Lexus Tahara leather.
In addition, four styles of inserts have been carefully selected to harmonize with the colour choice: Piano Black, Bird’s Eye Maple, and new for 2016, Bamboo now has matt finish, and Shimamoku ornamentation. First appearing in the GS and LS sedans, Shimamoku is a high-end finish of luxurious wood created through a multi-step manufacturing process by highly skilled craftsmen.
Furthermore, quilting has been added to the comfortable-yet-supportive seats. Additional trim enhancements to cabin-facing door surfaces and the centre console unite the interior in upscale feel and design cohesion. Colour-matched upholstery appears along the centre console as well, coupled with a new leather boot-enclosed gear selector.
For the driver, a new, sporty steering wheel provides improved feel and view of the instrument panel. A larger 4.2-inchThin Film Transistor (TFT) colour multi-information display conveniently places vital vehicle and route statistics as well as multimedia information front and centre. To further enhance control over the Remote Touch Interface (RTI), the 2016 ES adds “Enter” buttons on either side of the interface.
REFINEMENT TAKEN TO A NEW LEVEL AND AN EXPANDED ENGINE LINEUP
Since its inception, Lexus has offered the quiet and smooth driving vehicles to global market. The 2016 ES upholds that tradition with a host of improvements to provide the driver with an exquisite driving experience.
For the new ES, Lexus engineers applied structural reinforcements to increase stiffness in the vehicle’s unibody construction. Adapted from the Lexus IS sports sedan, this form of chassis tuning arms the ES with a significantly enhanced ride quality and improved handling. Moreover, the 2016 ES adds a sound-reducing layer behind the dashboard to better isolate engine noise from the cabin.
New for 2016 in specific markets is a 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine. Engineered to meet China’s fuel economy regulations, the D4 engine will be offered in China, Russia and Taiwan. The luxury sedan will continue with its exceptionally smooth 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a 2.5-liter L-4 version. The ES now offers a range of powertrain options prioritized for fuel efficiency and power delivery, with enhanced friendliness to the environment.
ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF SAFETY: LEXUS SAFETY SYSTEM +
The ES is the first production model to introduce the Lexus Safety System +, which combines four key innovative safety technologies into a single, networked package.
Among them are the Pre-Collision System (PCS), which detects vehicles and pedestrians by a combination of millimetre-wave radar and front-facing camera. It dispatches a warning as brake assist and emergency braking are activated. The Lane Departure Alert (LDA) employs a camera to keep track of lane marking lines on the road. If the vehicle begins to unintentionally deviate from the lane, the LDA system will notify the driver with an audio-visual alert and vibration to the steering wheel.
Automatic High Beam (AHB) senses headlights from oncoming traffic and the taillight of the car in front, automatically adjusting hi-beam and low-beam illumination to help ensure optimal forward visibility during night-time driving.
The Radar Cruise Control uses millimetre-wave radar to detect the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to adjust the cruise control speed setting accordingly, maintaining a safe distance at all times. This system also uses a combination of millimetre-wave radar and camera to detect a lane change by the vehicle in front for smooth acceleration and deceleration control.
“With new safety technologies, as well as improved performance, an expanded engine line-up and a quieter and thoroughly luxurious interior wrapped in a freshened chiselled body, the new ES builds efficiently on what has made it one of the most popular luxury sedans in the world, and we are confident that this latest version of the ES will build upon its past successes,” said Asahi.
* The specifications of ES will differ according to the country which it is sold.
