ydooby

I don't think the GR has improved at all. Just look at the 2013 RX's identical MPG rating to the 2012 RX's. The MPG improvement of the new ES simply comes from a lower body weight and an updated 6AT with a taller final drive (3.46 versus 3.68), an expanded range of torque converter lockup and various friction-reduction measures.

spwolf

50lbs doesnt really change highway mpg by 3, does it? :-). Sure it is transmission changes, but thats part of powertrain anyway.

p.s. that made me look at spec sheet, look what I found:

-  Driver seat cushion extender - NICE!
- 835 watts Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio with DVD-audio/video, 15 speakers and 5.1-channel surround with 7.1 architecture - ES going to the big leagues.

spwolf

old ES had 300w ML... sounds like serious upgrade.

ydooby

Well you did say improvement to the GR not the powertrain so I thought there's need for some correction.Yeah these are great stuff, surely addressing the years of complaint about the lack of thigh support and the ML system's lack of power.

RXSF

so...will this ESh get an LED headlamp option because nobody has mentioned it nor have i seen pictures

AJL0365

I was wondering the same thing too, I dont think so because we would have atlease seen one
picture of it already I think, if anything at the Launch event. Lexus always seem to omit something with the ES while other Lexus models have it as a option.

I really want considering trading in my 04 LS for a black one. This car is rather sharp.

spwolf

maybe not for US market as it is going to come rather close to GS in pricing.

RXSF

...even the cheapy CT has LEd headlights. I thought this is a hybrid theme and I cant believe they wouldnt make it as an option

spwolf

i dont know whats the big deal... if it was $50k car then everyone would scream around how come ES is $50k

It happened with HS250h which had more tech than LS600h and then everyone complained how fully optioned version is 45k.

So now they simply dont give you all of the options they have worldwide :-)

RXSF

but its an option...

the GSh starts at 58K and with LED headlamps and everything cool it becomes mid 60s. so an ESh with all the goodies at 50K wouldnt be so far fetched. Hell my RXh with all the goodies was msrp 60K

I8ABMR

very excite dto see the new ES on the street. I still fell like it looks better than the 4GS....at least from the back

spwolf

yeah but ES300h is 140hp shy of GS450h, there is huge rift between them really.

Toys4RJill

Yes 50lbs, a better final drive, lower drag, more aerodynamics will help with mpg on the hwy.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

but hybrid buyers typically obsess over fuel economy, so it won't matter.

LexFather

Its Lexus fault..they package the LEDs in weird packages that are pricy or you have to special order to get them stand-alone.\

Its always funny to see the complaints about foglamps, trunk closers and LED lights though Forget the real important parts of the car.