dutchie01

The old Top Gear is alive! great spirit super idea

According to Lexusenthusiast Lexus sees the core competition for the new ES in the 3 series, A4, C class, cadillac ATS, Infinity Q50. the car will be priced below the GS that will be discontinued. So, here is the million dollar question: Will THE ES REPLACE THE GS AND THE IS ??? 2 saloons only? ES and LS, rest is SUV and coupes???

Just click on the link of my previous post it will show the interior with the presentor sitting in the back. It is very impressive indeed. But fwd and longer than a 5 series creates room aplenty

sorry about the language no Uk version available. Walkaround nicely shows the dimensions and interior. 2 things i picked up. ES is longer than 5 series and pricing will be below the GS. https://www.autoweek.nl/video/eerste-kennismaking-lexus-es/

In Europe every Lexus is niche. in the States however...

The IS is starting to show its age. With a new 3 series around the corner a new A4 on the road and a facelifted merc it will be more difficult to be competitive. The ES is brandnew and although the exterior looks familior the inside is way different and lightyears ahead of the IS. I am still a bit confused though. I understand the move in the USA but in Eurp killing the non selling GS and replace it with the new ES that looks like a moderned up GS and is likely to cost thesame.. Will this be the recipe for success?

The Reliant Robin has numerous advantages to an accord, weight, grip, balance, feel. A three wheel lay out could be the preferred option for a luxury sedan?

interesting debate about RWD or FWD. I have to say that i am not in a position to judge as i honestly have not driven a FWD car since 9 years and the world has moved on.. Before driving aids were invented you really could find bad FWD cars and bad RWD ones. The electronic referees nowadays save your butt every time. The worst FWDs i had were an Alfa 164 6 cyl. 224hp fwd no slip diff. Suicidal car driving in straight line floor the throttle then instant skating left or right. Also SAAB 93 hirsch tuned, just too much power for the terrible chassis.Thing is.. both were fun cars to drive, lets call hem challenging . RWD alfa 75 on the autobahn doing 140kph losing it in a long winding corner in the rain or likewise an Opel ( Vauxhall omega) more luck than knowledge there... I found my IS250 a great car but inspite of RWD it was not a great handler, the Peugeot 405 i had long ago was just better in my memory. From a manufacturers point of view a FWD is a better package. More room inside, cheaper to build and it makes sense. I am in doubt, do i prefer F or Rwd? i think i need to take a new A6 for a spin to find out, they are selling by the truckloads so they must be good?

The saloonmarket is dead. Everybody seems to want SUV s now. Porsche, jaguar and also lexus could be categorized as SUV manufacturers as that is over 50% of production. The new LS and ES are cars still needed but not vitally important for Lexus as the SUV market is still expanding rapidly hence the small medium large and maybe soon XL versions of it. moreover lexus is not interested in covering all niches like the german 3 so on the engine front the choice will remain relatively modest. the current strategy is about styling, lifestyle, design, individuality. Electrification playes a role as with all manufacturers but the new direction is definately more towards international lifestyle whatever that may be. Think of hotels, restaurants, transport options in different cities then your own etc. i dont know the sales forecast of the new ES yet but compared to the germans it will be very tiny indeed lexus is aiming for a modest global growth of 10% yoy and the UK does not really play a role in that I think the new ES will be a great looker that could potentially steal sales from the A6 but i fear the infotainment could be as bad as the LS. Just look at a digital audi dash and the Lex feels a generation behind. Such a pity that toyota did not invest in the electronic side of things. maybe one day?

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Has anyone seen the interior yet?

can you share those pics rayaans?

Well spacenase you belong to a very select club of connoiseurs that appreciate build quality understated elegance and anonymous styling. Hope the new one is your taste as well!

I am really looking forward to the introduction of the new ES/GS end of this month. It looks very promising indeed given the little bits of information that have been teased so far. What we know is that the car will be longer and lower than the old GS and is aimed directly at the 5 series/A6/E class. The design will trickle down from the LS and especially the interior is likely to set Lexus apart from the sombre BMW interior and the beautifully crafted but cold Audi ones. The Japanese Takumi craft could stand out and make it a special place to sit in. Apple car play or Android available? who knows! Then the chassis and underpinnings. If it is based on the new 2018 Camry it will be good news indeed as this car got raving reviews in the motoring press with top notch figures about roadholding, chassis control and cornering, in some reviews it is even placed above the BMW 3 series. So if Lexus can spray a little magic dust on this to give it that little oomph it could be a great car indeed! Drivetrains not confirmed yet but of course a 4 cylinder hybrid unit ( new version with new battery and more power?) and maybe an F-Sport with a twin turbo 6 pot pumping out 350 hp?? Who knows, but i cant wait as it seems a much more competitive package than the old GS that was a very disappointing car ithat nobody bought ( a total salesflop tbh) The king is dead bring on the new one!

Linas are you on drugs?

Its no problem if your knowledge about the motor industry is limited but it could be helpful not to write bizarre rants like above. Why slash a new Lexus that has not even been introduced or driven by anyone? For info, Kia/Hyundai recently changed using the BMW 3 series as their benchmark for chassis /handling and guess what they now think is the number one car? The new Toyota Camry

Well that theory is fine but i sold my bmw after 3 times in 12 months they ripped the interior clean. All happened in front of my house directly under my bedroom. My wife freaked out after the 3rd time telling me they would come into the house the next time and i just had enough of it. This does influence my decision as i will not buy another bmw again full stop so yes the tea leaves do win sometimes.

Rabbers, something completely off topic but i hope you can share your experience. I am currently driving an IS300H and in a few months it will have to go. I do not want to leave Lexus and am tempted between an RC or an NX. Good looks or common sense? I will take them both for a testdrive soon but what was your biggest disappointment with the RC coming from an IS?Only 2 doors was that an issue, does it make the car a pain to live with? Is the ride almost thesame?

To be honest i think this could be age related as well.. I am too old school to adapt to these modern and in my eyes non sensical inventions, but i can see my 19 year old niece using apple car play, voice control , typing apps on her phone and driving at thesame time! Times oh how are they changing..

I really wonder why this was invented in the first place. I never ever use it, would not know why. Could be helpful if i was driving the car from the backseat but i can quite easily reach out and touch buttons to do what i want, faster and definately more user friendly. BMW now have invented Gesture Control. If you want to turn up the volume you make a circular movement with your hand in the air... Finally they introduced something that everybody was eagerly awaiting! Come to think of it there are plenty of irrelevant gadgets in my car that i never use or do not even realise they are on. Heated front windscreen ( or wipers dont know), Rear sunscreen automatic, switch off parking sensors, dvd player, allsorts of settings in satnav, most settings in soundsystem, pre programmed settings for 3 drivers, electric seat adjustment, sound generator, ECO setting, paddle shifts behind steering wheel and propably some i forgot. I could happily live without all those and thats quite some money isnt it? It is in my car as it was in my car when i bought it from the dealers showroom. what do you consider as a useless gadget?

What a sad sad story, and all so not necessary. You seem satisfied with the support the dealer gave you and lay the blame at Lexus UK. I would turn that around fully. I think it is your dealer that is asleep and not willing to do that little extra. Lexus judged that all was within their tolerances so nothing wrong with the car is what they said. But it should not stop there. There is always a commercial solution possible if technical rejects a claim. Why did your dealer not offer to rectify the problem, why not even try and if that did not work offer you a new IS /GS or whatever they have standing in their stocks and want to shift at extra discount? Anyhow, it is all too late now hope you are satisfied with Audi but i would point my finger at your dealer, not the importer.

and that leads to the question of how long has that LS400 been there? after 5 yrs there should be fungus growing especially on the rubbers, the paint is so glossy like it has always been stored inside that should matten out a bit and then tyres after 5 yrs not rolling a wheel that right rear looks pretty well inflated? it sure is a mysterious car and i would like to see the interior and the engine bay. please keep us posted this could develop into a great story

Somehow this does not add up does it? We have a Lexus LS400 parked at a private land owned by a company that sat there for over 6 years and nobody knows the owner? What kind of a company is that? The car has not moved for over 5 years and not been on the road for 9? An LS400 that looks well maintained after standing still outdoors summer and winter for years on? Id say a case for inspector Morse! (and dont open the boot you never know whats in there..)

this is a rendering of the new ES that is supposed to replace the current GS. It will be the new global mid size sedan with 2.5 4 cyl hybrid or turbo to choose.

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