I REALLY thought this was the year Toyota was gonna totally set the new ES350 apart from the Camry. I didn't ever think that they would make them even more similar. I also don't understand how the new ES with 6sp tranny and 270+ hp isn't faster than an auto TL. Toyota is claiming 0-60 in 6.8 seconds.


All-New Fifth-Generation 2007 Lexus ES Sedan Redefines Entry Luxury Segment
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02/08/2006 Chicago
The all-new 2007 Lexus ES 350 made its public debut today at the Chicago Auto Show. The all-new, fully redesigned ES marks the fourth Lexus sedan to benefit from the L-finesse design language. Going on sale in late April, the fifth-generation ES improves upon every level of comfort, safety, performance and craftsmanship in the elegant five-passenger sedan.

"We believe the newly revamped ES 350 is better in virtually every way than our original LS flagship sedan," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter. "It's faster, quieter and more powerful than the first LS that redefined the prestige luxury segment in the early 1990s."

2007 ES Marks Complete Redesign of All Lexus Sedans
From a styling standpoint, the ES marks the latest Lexus sedan to receive a complete redesign emphasizing a more sculptural direction, one that now reveals a family resemblance across the entire passenger car lineup. With an over two-inch longer wheelbase and more than an inch wider track, the ES has a more confident stance. A long hood, pulled-back cabin and short rear deck are characteristic of the new L-finesse design theme, recalling classic sports car proportions with a contemporary look unique to all new-generation Lexus sedans.

The creation of a spatial feeling in the passenger compartment is central to the new Lexus design direction. Without increasing the overall exterior length, engineers were able to increase rear legroom while maintaining the already roomy driver and front-passenger compartment.

The interior of the new ES introduces a new level of craftsmanship as well. Premium wood, polished metal and leather accents provide a level of luxury never before seen in the entry luxury segment. Everything inside the ES is designed and styled to create a comfortable and harmonious interaction, with touchpoints that convey quality and refinement. The roomy, luxurious cabin is complemented by intelligently designed displays and controls to make driving both simple and pleasurable.
Bright, clear Optitron gauges combined with smartly integrated metallic and authentic brown walnut wood trim help create a luxurious, elegant ambience.

Powerful Technology for New V6
The ES 350's 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 272 horsepower and 254 lb.-ft. of torque, resulting in an estimated zero-to-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, substantially quicker than the model it replaces. The highly sophisticated engine uses electronically controlled sequential fuel injection, which optimizes the fuel mixture and creates a precise burn, higher output and lower emissions to aid drivability. The result is a substantial improvement in engine efficiency with increased power and improved fuel economy.

The engine also benefits from reduced internal friction via chain-driven camshafts and roller-rocker arms that serve to increase efficiency. Aluminum heads and cylinder blocks feature special cast-in "spiny" cylinder liners to improve liner stability and cooling by increasing surface contact area with the cylinder head.

The new ES comes standard with dual exhaust, which reduces exhaust backpressure at high rpm. Extensive use of stainless steel in the exhaust system minimizes weight and improves durability. The integration of these technologies contributes to segment-leading efficiency with the ES 350 obtaining a manufacturer-estimated combined fuel consumption of 25 mpg (21 mpg city/30 mpg highway) and an expected Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) certification.

Six-Speed Transmission
The front-wheel drive ES 350 features a six-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) and sequential shift. The low-friction, high-efficiency gear train is lighter and more compact than the previous generation 5-speed transmission with 20 percent fewer parts and 24 percent fewer hydraulic controls. Gear ratios are carefully matched to both engine horsepower and torque characteristics to provide very smooth yet responsive shifts for improved drivability.


New Intelligent Luxury
In addition to a new look and feel, the new ES also improves upon the increasingly complex nature of automotive technology. The ES offers numerous standard features such as SmartAccess keyless entry and a new push-to-start ignition system that allows drivers to enter and start the vehicle without removing the access fob from their pocket or purse.

Lexus' craftsmanship and renowned attention to detail provide true luxury by design. Dual-zone automatic climate control and 10-way power front seats, with available memory, highlight the front cabin. The supportive standard cloth seats are also available in leather and extra-soft upgraded perforated leather for additional comfort.

The three-spoke steering wheel features easy-to-use controls for the audio system, trip computer and multi-information display in the speedometer. It also adds a voice control switch for the available Bluetooth® navigation and features. An auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated digital compass is standard, as are heated exterior mirrors.

Additional standard luxury features include a sliding center console, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a one-touch power moonroof and an illuminated entry system that lights the exterior with puddle lamps and the interior cabin footwells.

Luxury extends to the smallest details in the new ES, from illuminated front cup holders to an interior LED soft-lighting system that provides just the right amount of light where driver and passengers need it most. And the ES lends extra peace of mind with the integrated Homelink® transmitter that can control a variety of compatible home security devices and systems.

Advanced Safety Features
New standard safety features include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC), an electronic traction-control system that uses both throttle and brake intervention to help control wheel spin.

In addition, the new ES provides eight standard airbags; 10 with the optional rear-seat side airbags. For 2007, the ES gains new knee airbags for the driver and front passenger as well as a twin-chamber front passenger airbag. Side-curtain airbags coupled with front seat–mounted airbags and the optional rear-seat side airbags are designed to help offer additional crash energy management for the front and rear seat occupants.

The Supplemental Restraint System in the new ES also includes variable-force front airbags for both driver and front passenger. Sensors determine the severity of the accident and, in turn, the force with which to deploy the front airbags, helping to provide an appropriate level of occupant restraint. Rear-seat side airbags are offered optionally.

The ES 350 includes the safety of several visibility-enhancing technologies. The front side windows feature a water-repellant surface that helps to bead rainwater. A rear back-up camera, part of the available navigation package, is mounted near the top of the license plate surround and projects a color image of what the camera lens can detect behind the vehicle onto the navigation screen whenever the vehicle is in reverse.
In addition, the ES provides the first-ever intelligent Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) that allows both right and left front headlamp bulbs to swivel at the same time to help illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it.

Luxury Alive in the Details
For the first time, Lexus offers an optional panorama glass roof on the ES 350 creating an expansive feeling of openness for interior passengers. The glass roof extends over the entire passenger cabin providing a fixed skylight for rear passengers and a sliding sunroof for front passengers. A manual interior shade is provided for the front and rear passenger compartments. The frameless design allows for significantly tighter gaps versus those provided by other manufacturers and, with no visible gaskets, contributes to its sleek appearance and efficient aerodynamics.

Optional ventilated front seats and an available power rear window sunshade work in concert with the standard dual-zone climate control that filters the air to keep occupants comfortable. A dual-zone automatic climate control allows driver and front passenger to customize interior temperatures, while rear passengers enjoy their own A/C vents.

The optional and newly upgraded fifth-generation navigation system offers eight million points of interest (POI). The multi-information display makes key information readily available and easy to see. These and other features available on the new ES, such as semi-aniline leather, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, intelligent Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, heated/ventilated front seats and the panorama glass roof are normally found only in more expensive luxury cars.

Mind-Expanding Audio Systems
An enhanced standard premium audio system brings an in-dash, six-disc CD-changer,
MP3 player, iPod connectivity and an additional speaker to the 2007 ES. The system also includes an Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) to maintain consistent sound levels at varying vehicle speeds.

Music aficionados will appreciate the newest generation of the optional Mark Levinson audio system in the new ES. Using a 7.1-channel speaker architecture, this leading-edge design uses 10 channels of amplification with a total of 300 watts at 0.1 percent Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) playing through 14 speakers to bring a major new dimension to automotive audio sound. The Mark Levinson audio also takes advantage of DVD audio and video technology, allowing users to play both conventional CDs and DVDs. DVD movies can be viewed on the color 7-inch touch screen when the vehicle is parked.

The all-new 2007 Lexus ES goes on sale late April. Although prices have not been finalized, it will represent the best value in the entry luxury segment.

 

wow that's a long post i hope u didn't type that. j/k.

nobody buy that car for performance anyway. all my aunts if they feel one bump in their ES/RX330 they bitch all day long about how lexus is done/going down..etc etc. all that boat ride did not hurt their business at all. why change from a business standpoint. Toyota is about to become #1 in the world soon. why change? just keep up in the performance depart. is absolutely good enough for them. no disrespect. it's a business after all.

 

Man, I tell you what after reading that. If that car looks good, the TL is going to take a hit in Sales big time until the redesign.

 

Here you go ladies and gents, a look at the new 2007 Lexus ES350: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/

 

Looks like the Avalon, but smaller, from the back. The front center of the bumper looks familiar.

 

Lexus has never appealed to me

 

YUCK!!!!

 

I like the ES330 they're selling right now. This one looks a bit sportier, but I doubt that's what the ES buyers are looking for. Could be a risky move on Lexus' part.

 

I was just going to say that!

Not bad looking over all!

 

People who buy Lexus are looking for a quiet, comfortable ride and are not that interested in performance. Rather, performance is 3rd or 4th on the list of considerations for this class of car for these buyers. Also, the ES buyers are a bit older than TL buyers.

From that standpoint, they have done a good job. I think they'll sell just as many ES350s as they have been selling already. Those buyers who want performance from the Lexus brand will be looking at the IS instead.

 

no one in their right mind would cross shop the two.

 

It sounds like most of the car's equipment is either "optional" or "available" which means "optional" and at extra cost.

The standard M.O. of Lexus hereabouts is to offer a pretty stripped down car for the base price. By the time the desired options are added, option packages style, the price increases by 40% or so. Also, Lexus refuses to make stand-alone options available so that in order to get desired single items like HID lights and/or ML audio, you're stuck with buying the overpriced option packages.

I doubt they'll deviate much from this sort of merchandising scheme so that the TL will remain a grossly superior choice when value is taken into consideration.

Also, how do we know the new transmission won't be subject to a fatal flaw like the dreaded hesitation issue, as the present one is?

I doubt this new '07 ES will take many sales from the TL unless Lexus radically lowers the price, which I somehow doubt they will do.

 

2007 ES350 is a luxury version of 2007 camry.. thats all i have to say after looking at it.

 

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2006/02...-350-2007.html

 

I don't think the ES is really in the same class performance-wise as the TL. The ES is much softer and would give less driver feedback.

Is it even available with a sport suspension like our A-spec?

 

No. And I did not mean to imply that the TL and ES were anywhere near the same performance-wise.

I've seen the new camry and I think it's butt-ugly. I haven't seen the new ES, but I think it looks better (in pictures at least).

 

the new es looks like crap. the new gs and is were nice, but what happened here? the tail lights look like they're off a kia or something. the center console is especially weird with the hump at the top.

 

Take it to Car Talk, please.