New e-car launch: Eighth-generation Lexus ES available as an electric car
The eighth generation of the Lexus ES will be presented as an electric car at Auto Shanghai in China. Lexus isn't planning to offer the ES in Europe before 2026.
(Image: Toyota)
Toyota's luxury offshoot Lexus is presenting the eighth generation of its ES saloon at the Auto Shanghai motor show in China. It will be offered as a full hybrid and with two battery-electric drive systems, as well as front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions. The electric versions are the most remarkable feature of the new generation, as Toyota has long hesitated to introduce battery-electric drives. Now things are apparently having to move quite quickly, even for the conservative Lexus brand. Lexus plans to offer the ES in Europe from spring 2026.
Lexus ES Exterieur (5 Bilder)
Toyota
)Battery-electric for the first time
For the first time, the Lexus ES will also be offered with a battery-electric drive, as the ES 350e with front-wheel drive and an output of 165 kW and as the ES 500e with all-wheel drive and an output of 252 kW. Alternatively, a hybrid drive with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and 148 kW is available, also with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. Lexus is still withholding further details on the performance of the electric branch, energy content of the traction battery, voltage level, charging capacity or cell chemistry. For the first time in the model's history, the upcoming Lexus ES will come with a rear multi-link suspension. At the front, the McPherson spring damper struts and lower wishbones will be retained.
Growth in all dimensions
As usual, the next generation will be slightly larger again and now measures 5.14 m in length after an increase of 16.5 cm. This still leaves it a few centimeters below a Mercedes EQS, which is around 5.22 m long. The wheelbase of the Lexus ES is 8 cm longer than its predecessor at 2.95 m and allows a 7.7 cm increase in the distance between the front and rear seats to 1.1 m. The front and rear tracks have been increased by 6.4 and 8.2 cm respectively, while the overall height has grown by 11 cm to 1.56 m. The resulting higher seating position is intended to make it easier to get in and out of the car.
Lexus ES Interieur (6 Bilder)
Toyota
)As an option, Lexus offers a seat tilt adjustment for the rear bench and an ottoman with leg rest behind the front passenger seat. This can be folded forward to create more legroom and improve forward visibility. Improved door seals and the use of acoustic glazing in the front doors should help to reduce noise levels.
Videos by heise
In the ES, Lexus presents its “Connect Multimedia System” for the first time, which can be used with the “digital cockpit” with 12.3-inch instrument cluster and connected 14-inch central display. It enables a complete map view on both displays, including safety instructions and 3D lane guidance in the cockpit. The battery-electric ES models display the charging stations along the route based on the current battery level and driving conditions.
Although Toyota's information is very verbose, it is still remarkably incomplete. However, the Lexus ES will still have to undergo European homologation by the time it is launched at the beginning of 2026. So Toyota's reticence has a reason.
(fpi)