All-new 2019 Lexus ES to debut at Beijing Motorshow
 

Expect the Unexpected

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...96017b79cc.jpg

April 10, 2018
BEIJING, April 11, 2018—This all-new Lexus vehicle aims to radically transform the driving experience for luxury consumers all over the world. Witness its global debut in Beijing on April 25, 2018 #ExperienceAmazing

Source: http://pressroom.lexus.com/releases/...id=sf186712334

This article suggests that they are selling at least as many ES 350s in China as they are in the United States, and they intend to expand in that market: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchin...t_30574421.htm

The target demographic there is much younger than it is here.

There's a thread on the ES forum as well but it looks like a legit leaked image of the frontend of the new 2019 ES: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...xus-es-leaked:

https://s3.caradvice.com.au/thumb/96...leak-front.jpg

Here are some highlights from this article from August 2017.

China is Lexus' 2nd-largest market, behind the USA...
...but the biggest market for the ES. So it makes sense to introduce the new ES in China.
Lexus owners are much younger than in the USA, so the future for the brand would seem to be in China.
Lexus' success in China comes despite the fact that there is no Lexus production in China, unlike Lexus' European and Japanese competitors.

What is interesting about Toyota, is that they used (and still do) pride themselves on making cars that were specifically designed for certain markets. It will be sad if this new ES is designed first and foremost for the Chinese market, and the US is considered secondary.

Eventually Lexus will be building this ES in China as well.

The ES has always seemingly been the little LS - makes sense that the front end looks similar...the LS may be setting the "standard" Lexus design cue this time around...last time it seems it was the '13 GS setting the design cue for the the lineup.

While all the speculation of why Lexus picked the Beijing autoshow over the US autoshow are interesting, I want to put out another factor. Maybe it just fits on their time scheduled better?
I'm guessing this Lexus ES will be released early 2019 as a MY2019 model (I'm think 2019 as MY2019 because the Lexus LS was the same thing - released in 2018 as MY2018.) Also since the Lexus UX is being released in December 2018 as MY2019.

I disagree. I don't think the ES has ever been the little LS because the ES is based on the Camry/Avalon. I think the ES has the LS design cues because the LS is setting the design language for the rest of the Lexus line-up.

Hmmm. Based on the front-end of this leaked image - it looks like the Lexus ES redesign isn't too dramatically different. It remains fairly close to its original styling but just much sharper lines. IE: The headlamps are different but they look relatively close to the outgoing model - just with a sharper edge to it. Looks good overall - in my opinion. As much as I think the Lexus ES is a good car - I personally can't stomach buying a 40K+ Lexus that's basically a Camry in a suit.

Yuck, that is pretty ugly. Most people who buy ES's want something more subtle and elegant, not so in your face and garish.

Better fuel economy, more passenger room/no tunnel intrusion, easier to package, less drivetrain loss, better traction, no real need for awd/better all weather drivability. RWD has its advantages too but FWD has more advantages then just being cheaper to make.

More interior space (rear seating)
More cargo space
Better in snow/rain due to more traction from more weight on the front wheels
Better MPG, usually, because they don't require big-drive shaft tunnels to feed power to the rear wheels.

And there's probably other reasons as well.

Just because you don't like FWD doesn't make it bad.