Next-Gen Lexus ES (ES350 and ES300h confirmed)
05-31-12, 08:42 AM
#841
Couple things from review. Power trunk closer on ES but not on GS?
Also, I find it interesting/surprising that the hybrid model will be an estimated $3000 more than the V6 model. I honestly was expecting the hybrid model to start at a price thats very similar to the standard engine (reasoning based off of Camry hybrid & Camry V6 and to lesser extent Lincoln MKZ & MKZ hybrid).
Also, I find it interesting/surprising that the hybrid model will be an estimated $3000 more than the V6 model. I honestly was expecting the hybrid model to start at a price thats very similar to the standard engine (reasoning based off of Camry hybrid & Camry V6 and to lesser extent Lincoln MKZ & MKZ hybrid).
Is amazing what 1 inch of ride height reduction does to the total looks and feels of the car. Maybe they will offer F-Sport springs for this gen ES.
05-31-12, 09:49 AM
#843
One observation I have is the curb weight of this 6ES350 is still only 3549 lbs, where the 3ES300 was 3351 lbs.
Gaining only 200 lbs over 3 generations with all that stuff added and a bigger car overall, is impressive
Gaining only 200 lbs over 3 generations with all that stuff added and a bigger car overall, is impressive
Last edited by BNR34; 05-31-12 at 10:11 AM.
05-31-12, 09:53 AM
#844
05-31-12, 10:01 AM
#847
i think the key is in the newest generation of lexus cars. look at the gs and the es, both didn't gain any weight. i am so happy about lexus paying attention on the right thing (weight) and able to put in more features and improve the car overall without adding weight.
05-31-12, 10:13 AM
#850
5es350 is 3580lb.
i think the key is in the newest generation of lexus cars. look at the gs and the es, both didn't gain any weight. i am so happy about lexus paying attention on the right thing (weight) and able to put in more features and improve the car overall without adding weight.
i think the key is in the newest generation of lexus cars. look at the gs and the es, both didn't gain any weight. i am so happy about lexus paying attention on the right thing (weight) and able to put in more features and improve the car overall without adding weight.
If I remember right, keeping weight down is always a strong point of all Toyota's products, from Corolla to the LS, they are always lighter then their competitors by a good amount.
05-31-12, 10:20 AM
#851
especially since it has so much more equipment + bigger wheelbase
05-31-12, 10:27 AM
#852
Yes that's what I meant, so much more features, amenities, higher refinement and bigger everything and still only gain 200 lbs, that means they are saving weight somewhere with lighter weight material, probably more aluminum and high strength steel.
05-31-12, 10:31 AM
#853
2es300 - 3374lb
3es300 - 3351lb (not much of a big change on the car imho)
4es300/350 - 3472lb
5es350 - 3580lb
6es350 - 3549lb
toyota always know how to keep the weight down from competitors, but if everyone just keeps on increasing weights over time, it's still a trend. however my point is lexus is breaking that. look at the numbers above, before the 6es, the car has kept on increasing weight (personally i consider 2es and 3es very similar car thus the similar weight). but with the 6es, they actually reduce the weight. that's incredible, considering that they say the car is quietest lexus ever (insulation), all the new features, etc...
same thing with the 4gs, the curb weight is the same as 3gs. this is when competitors increase by hundreds of pounds (f10).
i think this makes it very special. increasing weight "slowly" and overall weight lower than competitors that's one thing, but able to keep the weight or make it lighter while others are increasing, that deserves a lot of props imho
05-31-12, 11:16 AM
#855
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2013 Lexus ES 1st Drive
...
More enjoyable to drive, but just as composed for passengers
On either model, engineers have reconfigured and retuned the rear suspension, quickened the steering ratio, and retuned the power steering, and the effect is that the new ES not only has good tracking and straight-line stability but also, in the corners, a surprisingly athletic—if not quite nimble—feel. The confidence of better steering tuning—and feeling less remote, even if the syspension isn't that much firmer—went a long way to inspire confidence in some of the small, tightly winding roads in Oregon's wine country, not far from Portland, where we got our 1st drive. There's a surprisingly strong level of composure, even over rough surfaces.
As much as the ES's driving manners have improved, impressing passengers and providing top-notch comfort and premium features is still the priority here. Major options for the ES include a hard-drive-based navigation system with voice command, Mark Levinson audio, a built-in backup camera system, and a next-generation Enform with AppSuite system. We're still bummed about Remote Touch, a trackpad-like system that requires you to look at the navigation system's screen, move the pointer over buttons, and click them—all while watching the road ahead. There has to be a better way.
...
More enjoyable to drive, but just as composed for passengers
On either model, engineers have reconfigured and retuned the rear suspension, quickened the steering ratio, and retuned the power steering, and the effect is that the new ES not only has good tracking and straight-line stability but also, in the corners, a surprisingly athletic—if not quite nimble—feel. The confidence of better steering tuning—and feeling less remote, even if the syspension isn't that much firmer—went a long way to inspire confidence in some of the small, tightly winding roads in Oregon's wine country, not far from Portland, where we got our 1st drive. There's a surprisingly strong level of composure, even over rough surfaces.
As much as the ES's driving manners have improved, impressing passengers and providing top-notch comfort and premium features is still the priority here. Major options for the ES include a hard-drive-based navigation system with voice command, Mark Levinson audio, a built-in backup camera system, and a next-generation Enform with AppSuite system. We're still bummed about Remote Touch, a trackpad-like system that requires you to look at the navigation system's screen, move the pointer over buttons, and click them—all while watching the road ahead. There has to be a better way.
And I agree that Remote Touch isn't suited for car use. Either switch back to touch screen or copy I-Drive/MMI completely.
Last edited by ydooby; 05-31-12 at 12:36 PM.