New Lexus ES hits the UK next month: £60k EV challenger to Audi A6 and BMW i5
Lexus is moving into the all-electric executive saloon market and ditching hybrid power in the process
The all-electric Lexus ES was unveiled a year ago at the Shanghai Motor Show and will finally go on sale in the UK from 1 May. Three trim levels will be offered: the £59,345 Premium, the mid-range £68,245 Premium Plus, and the Takumi from £72,545. The newcomer will be looking to tempt buyers from familiar German competition, including the BMW i5, which starts from £67,795, and the Audi A6 e-tron Sportback from £62,590.
Originally, Lexus execs confirmed three versions would be offered: a single-motor EV followed by a dual-motor model and a petrol-electric hybrid version powered by the firm's 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with an e-motor to produce 198bhp.
While all three will be available in certain European markets, the hybrid ES 300h will not be part of the UK line-up. However, insiders did admit to Auto Express that a rumoured 300bhp all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid is in the works and could join the two pure-electric models. No timeline was given, other than to say the brand is monitoring market conditions and that a PHEV could arrive with the large saloon’s mid-life facelift if there was demand from customers.
The Lexus ES range will now kick off with the ES 350e that's driven by a single 221bhp e-motor, which is combined with a 77kWh battery and is expected to be capable of covering up to 329 miles on the WLTP test cycle on a single charge. Available with front-wheel drive only, the base Lexus ES takes 8.2 seconds to reach 62mph from rest.
At the top of the tree is the flagship dual-motor ES 500e that produces 338bhp and gets a smaller 75kW power pack. The range for the most powerful Lexus saloon has yet to be released, but with the brand's DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system, 0-62mph takes 5.7 seconds.
New information reveals that, whichever you choose, the ES can be charged at a maximum rate of 150kW, with a 10-80 per cent top-up taking around 30 minutes.
Developed alongside the Toyota Camry sold in other markets, the Lexus ES sits on the firm's TNGA-K architecture and gets both a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension and a variable-ratio steering rack that enhances both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability.
UK and European models are unchanged externally from the wide and low fastback saloon revealed in Shanghai, and Lexus has revealed that they will get the option of a pair of reclining rear seats with ottoman-style leg support. Space is boosted further by a front passenger seat that folds forward, also improving the view.
Inside, both versions come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel that's combined with a 14-inch infotainment system offering the firm's latest LexusConnect tech. This provides points of interest and live information for the navigation, including things such as speed camera locations, low-emission zones and nearby charging stations.
The same tech gives the driver the option to not only view the range, but also to adjust the settings for scheduled charging and operate the new preconditioning function in colder climates.
Fresh tech includes adaptive cruise control that uses the map to tailor the speed for corners, or different road conditions, a pre-collision system that can recognise electric scooters, plus a driver fatigue tech that can now sense yawning or illicit phone use on the move.
If the driver fails to react or respond to the warning, the car can be brought to a halt with the hazard lights on. The same system can also detect changes in a driver's posture and, if necessary, automatically unlock the doors and dial up the emergency services.
The obsession with safety extends to the blind-spot monitor that can now recognise bicycles and motorcycles moving alongside the car, helping to prevent a collision when turning left or right.
Finally, the lane-departure alert is now sophisticated enough to detect lamp posts and median barriers to prevent unintended lane departures. Both lane-keep assist and front cross-traffic warnings are now standard on both models.
For the first time, Lexus will also offer a 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system that's said to offer a three-dimensional musical experience.
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