Lexus South Africa is expanding its local line-up with the all-new ES 250 luxury sedan which is scheduled to make its first public appearance at the Johannesburg International Motor Show next week.

Newest expression of the Lexus signature design

Completely redesigned, the model adopts a bold new face with a dramatically sculpted spindle grille, strong shoulderline, daytime running lights, short front and rear overhangs, 17-inch alloy wheels and an extended wheelbase.

Inside, the cabin is equipped with the second-generation Remote Touch interface featuring an eight-inch deep-set colour monitor, fully integrated satellite navigation, wall-to-wall leather with high quality stitching and ambient lighting, Piano Black finishes and the Champagne Silver console trim. It also resembles many of the new GS such as the analogue clock and the Nano-e climate system.

Additional standard features include a moonroof, remote keyless entry, power seats with seat heaters (driver’s seat memory), electrochromatic mirror, back guide monitor and PDC. Rear headroom has been increased by 20mm while rear knee space is up by 60mm.

Improved engine capability

The redesigned Lexus ES no longer directly shares the Toyota Camry platform, and instead is built on the Toyota Avalon platform which is 50mm (2 inches) longer than the Camry.

Under the hood, two different engines are available. The ES 250 is fitted with a new 2.5-litre Dual VVT-i twin-cam four-cylinder engine that produces 135kW at 6000 rpm and 235Nm of torque at 4100 rpm. It is also equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, which enables is to do the century sprint in less than ten seconds and can exceed 200 km/h.

The Lexus ES 300h – which is available only on order, is powered by a 2.5-litre single VVT-i twin-cam Atkinson cycle four-cylinder unit delivering 118kW at 5700 rpm and 213Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. When combined with a 105 kW electric motor that’s fed by a 650V nickel-metal hydride battery the engine produces 151kW of power. Equipped with an ECVT system, the Lexus ES 300h does 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 180 km/h.

Lexus says price-wise, the new ES slots in just below the IS range. The model will be unveiled at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, and will go on sale shortly after that, with the ES 300h available on order.

2013 Lexus ES gallery