LEXUS Announces The Return Of ES To Australia

Feb 25, 2013– Melbourne, Australia  (Techreleased) – Lexus is set to reintroduce the ES sedan to the Australian market after a seven-year hiatus.

Nearly 7,000 ES 300 models were sold in Australia across four generations following its 1992 introduction.

The ES remains the marque’s second-highest selling model globally.

The all-new ES carries on the model’s reputation for space, comfort and straight-line stability while offering greater levels of driving performance from its wider, longer and lower platform.

ES Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi said the vehicle had been developed from the ground up to offer a driving experience unlike any ES to date.

“When I commenced development of the new ES, I drove all of the previous generations to gain an understanding of its strengths and weaknesses,” Mr Asahi said.

“Immediately I determined that space, refinement and comfort were the priority, but I also knew that dynamic performance needed some attention.

“To improve ES’ overall drive experience we started at the foundation, engineering a longer, wider, lower and more rigid platform – the perfect base for ES’ bespoke suspension.
“The result is an ES that offers a driving experience unlike any vehicle before it, while maintaining those hallmark comfort, space and refinement characteristics,” Mr Asahi added.

Lexus Chief Executive Sean Hanley said the return of ES to Australia had been driven by customer demand.

“Today we still have many loyal ES owners who refused to purchase anything other than an ES and the great news is they won’t have to wait much longer for the exciting new model.” said Mr Hanley.

“This all-new ES is not only redesigned, re-engineered and with more power; it returns to Australia with a loyal customer base and in a form that will attract new customers to the Lexus family.

“The ES is unique in the luxury segment in offering a vehicle unmatched for space, comfort and quality – it is effectively peerless,” Mr Hanley added.

The ES Line has received a number of safety and consumer choice awards since its launch in the United States last year.

The all-new ES is available in both petrol and hybrid variants overseas as ES 350 and ES 300h.

Final Australian specification, drivetrains and pricing will be announced closer to its fourth-quarter launch.

The last ES to be offered in Australia was the fourth-generation ES 300 from 2002 to 2006, the fifth-generation ES 350 offered only in left-hand drive was available from 2006 to 2012.

SPECIFICATIONS