situman

Yea I understand that. But I hope it doesnt start making people mistaking it for LSeses. I can't imagine LS owners will be happen when someone asks them hows the ES treating you. Conversely, Es owners will be quite happy though.

spwolf

hopefully it means it will be sold in europe.... GS pricing is not competitive with fleet 5/A6/E class that make up most of the sales.

mmarshall

If LS owners let something trivial like that get to them, then they have worse problems than simply what kind of car they drive LOL.

peteharvey

spwolf, do you know how much import tariff the EEC imposes on Lexus and Hyundai/Genesis respectively?

jadu

iTrader: (42)

awesome rendering

pbm317

That ES render would put it too close to the outgoing Camry XSE no?

MattyG

They won't offer the ES in AWD, Lexus wants you in a RX. Why would you want a sedan when you can have the utility of a crossover and its larger interior space. They could do all that with the Avalon/Camry twins too, but why would they? You should head over to the Highlander for that and if you need a light urban commuter, the RAV.

speedkar9

The next ES will use the TNGA platform which supports AWD.
There's potential for Lexus to upmarket the ES with an AWD variant to take over the GS's role in the lineup.

Then again, what will compete with the A6, 5 Series and E class? I don't suppose Lexus will pull an Acura and try to cut it with FWD biased AWD...

Mr. Burns

The ES and GS surely overlap, but cutting the GS in favor of the ES to solve this problem is the worst possible option.

But it could be the GS becomes a Panamera/CLS/A7 competitor.

But if you have the RWD platform, why not just rebody two cars: a GS sedan and an A7 competitor.

MattyG

If they do that in Europe, it sure would be an interesting turn but US buyers have shown a preference for AWD crossovers and if the auto press ever gets a hold of a FWD transverse ES running around with awd trying to compete with a 5, E or even an A6 - that would be nasty. The previous versions of the RX were all on the Camry/Avalon chassis since a long time ago. Toyota does not like awd sedans in the US other than their attempts with IS, GS and LS. All niche vehicles vs just selling people RXs. You don't want to get too competitive with yourself.

peteharvey

I suspect ES AWD is all about trying to be cheeky by cutting costs, yet still getting away with sales like RX & NX...

SW17LS

mmarshall

One of the main reasons why SUVs are so popular today (though not the only reason, by any means) is that manufacturers simply won't make enough AWD sedans and coupes. I've said, many times over.....you cannot sell what you do not produce.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

spwolf

it is indeed 10%... not a big deal really, it is all about how they want to position it.

For instance 3/C/A4 fleet/bottom spec is priced at Avensis/Passat prices, not at IS prices. Same goes for A6/5/E most sold models - leather, nav, led, 2.0d with 180-200hp is priced at IS prices and not GS prices.

I dont see Genesis doing anything in Europe really. Too many different markets, Hyundai usually sells on big discounts and rock bottom prices here, their previous tries sold only few units in the UK. Also petrol engines are a no-no.