SACarFan got an exclusive preview this week of Lexus’s latest model, the ES 250, at Vergelegen wine farm in Somerset West. This comes two weeks ahead of the Lexus ES 250’s unveiling at the Johannesburg International Motor Show later this month.
Since the introduction of the 3.5-litre V6-only, IS 350, Lexus South Africa realises they need a new equivalent to replace the now defunct IS 250. First introduced in 1989, the Japanese-built ES sedan is now in its sixth generation and arrives in South Africa for the first time with the tag of world’s best-selling Lexus sedan.
“The introduction of ES to the local market is a direct result of customer demand for a more accessible, value-oriented, luxury offering. Price-wise the new ES slots in just below the IS range but spatially it offers accommodation closer to that of the GS. This is matched by unprecedented levels of standard equipment, technology and a high quality interior bristling with all the latest luxury and mod-con features”, Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing for Lexus S.A. said.
So, what’s the catch? The ES is as big as a GS and just as fully-equipped but it’s priced like an IS. Well, the Lexus ES is front-wheel drive and makes use of a four-cylinder engine. The ES 250 gets a 2.5 litre Dual VVT-i that produces 135 kW and 235 Nm of torque. With the aid of a six-speed automatic, the Lexus ES 250 trundles to 100 km/h in ten seconds and tops out at 200 km/h.
Daytime running lights, a second-generation Remote Touch interface, fully integrated satellite navigation, analogue clock and the Nano-e climate system, a moonroof, smart entry system, power seats with seat heaters, electrochromatic mirror, PDC, wall-to-wall leather with high quality stitching and ambient lighting are all features you’d normally find in the GS.
Lexus don’t skimp on the ES’s safety either and you Lane Change Asssist with Blind Spot Monitor, Vehicle Stablity Control, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Pre-Crash safety system or the 10 airbags as standard on the ES 250.
There is also a Lexus ES 300h (through order only) which sees a 2.5-litre single VVT-i twin-cam Atkinson cycle four-cylinder unit (118 kW and 213 Nm) joining hands with a 105 kW electric motor that’s fed by a 650V nickel-metal hydride battery for a combined 151 kW output. Equipped with an eCVT system, the Lexus ES 300h does 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds before maxing out at 180 km/h.
Pricing for the Lexus ES 250 isn’t finalised but we’re predicting something in the region of R449 900.
