All-new Lexus ES puts discerning customers 'Comfortably in Control'

In response to its Chinese customers' highly valued demands, luxury automaker Lexus showcased its Comfortably in Control philosophy with the world premiere of its all-new Lexus ES at Auto China 2018 in Beijing.

The April 25 debut expressed the brand's continued commitment to its design direction and to crafting vehicles with heightened excitement, emotion and passion, expanding the brand's future vision.

"We listen to customers' aspirations and empathize with their passions. This has helped Lexus grow into a truly global luxury lifestyle brand," said Tokuo Fukuichi, chief branding officer of Lexus International, at the all-new Lexus ES' world premiere.

"We not only build amazing cars, but also push beyond the boundary of expectations," he said.

The all-new Lexus ES is a more spacious, quieter and safer executive sedan than ever before, and customers will experience dynamic performance, class-leading safety technology and a level of craftsmanship rarely found in this segment.

The research and development that went into the model took Chinese customers' demands into full consideration, as the market is one of the most significant for the brand globally.

Hitoshi Otake, executive vice-president of Lexus China, said: "Chinese consumers are younger and more demanding, with diverse needs.

"To better satisfy Chinese customers, the all-new Lexus ES has an extended wheelbase and offers a splendid driving dynamic, together with superior quietness," he said.

The all-new model is fully upgraded in terms of design, performance, tranquility and safety, bringing an even more luxury driving experience to the new generation of Chinese customers through exceptional drivability, class-leading safety technology and the automaker's Takumi concept of craftsmanship, inspired by Eastern aesthetics.

Lexus China is planning to impress its Chinese audience with memorable, brave design elements, beyond-imagination technologies, Takumi craftsmanship, and outstanding driving performance, according to Otake. "These approaches are expected to express the unique glamour of the Lexus brand and help build customers' loyalty to the Lexus brand," he said.

"We are expecting the all-new Lexus ES to achieve better market performance than the previous generation's 60,000 sales last year in China." The company plans to strengthen its brand presence in tier-one cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, in order to keep target customers informed and help them gain more understanding of the Lexus brand.

At the same time, Lexus' dealership networks are set to expand into tier-two and three cities, after careful research into optimizing dealership coverage in such regions.

New dimension

After six generations of unprecedented success in the luxury midsize executive sedan category, the Lexus ES is known for its unparalleled comfort, refinement and luxuriousness. Now, the seventh-generation Lexus ES is building on its strengths with an all-new platform that allows a more dynamic exterior design and even better driving performance.

Inspired by the design concept of Comfortably in Control, the all-new ES is the first Lexus model to be equipped with a vertical-pattern spindle grille.

Triple projector LED headlamps, a longer wheelbase, and a wider and more streamlined body profile contribute to a fully dynamic sedan.

The all-new ES also inherits the prestige, elegance and refined cabin space of former models, infusing a futuristic interior with Eastern elements via the application of natural materials and Lexus' signature Takumi craftsmanship. Power reclining seats provide rear-seat passengers with a class-leading luxury experience.

Built on the all-new Global Architecture - K (GA-K) platform, the all-new Lexus ES pushes the limits of design in the midsize luxury sedan class.

This ES is longer (4,975 mm), lower (1,445 mm) and wider (1,865 mm) than before, with wheels that have been pushed closer to the corners thanks to a longer wheelbase of 2,870 mm and wider tracks both in the front and rear.

Its stance and proportions reflect its newfound performance capabilities and give the ES the kind of eye-catching appearance that demands a second glance. Thanks to the all-new GA-K platform, the all-new ES boasts outstanding driving performance and responsive control in line with the driver's intentions under various driving conditions.

Various grades of high-tensile steel reduce its weight compared to previous platforms, while additional enhancements - such as an all-new multi-link rear suspension design, rack-mounted electric power steering, a V-brace mounted behind the rear seat and enclosed chassis - gave the engineers the flexibility to tune the ES with beyond-expectation ride quality. The all-new ES comes with fully upgraded tranquility through Active Noise Control as well as passive noise control technology, including Hybrid Acoustics, front and rear double-deck acoustic glass, noise-reducing wheels, enclosed chassis and wiper deceleration control.

As a natural result of Lexus' commitment to developing exceptional safety technology, the all-new ES is equipped with second-generation Lexus Safety System+, which brings the model's safety standard to a whole new level.

The latest model's hybrid edition, the all-new ES 300h, is powered by a newly developed Lexus Hybrid Drive system, including an all-new Atkinson Cycle Engine with top level maximum thermal efficiency of 41 percent, all-new PCU, E-CVT and a redesigned nickel-hydrogen battery.

The system not only outputs ferocious power, but also ultralow fuel consumption.

Also making its world debut at Auto China 2018, was the all-new ES 260 F Sport, the first F Sport ES since the model was first launched 30 years ago, providing personalized and diversified options for consumers seeking next-generation intelligent luxury.

haoyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/14/2018 page19)