Autoblog

Consumer Reports finds flaw with Lexus ES, GS emergency trunk safety release, alerts NHTSA

Zach Bowman — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Safety, Videos, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

Consumer Reports has found what it says is a flaw with the emergency trunk release handles in certain Lexus models. During testing, the organization found that the federally mandated emergency handles on new Lexus ES and GS sedans can easily break if pulled toward the user (presumably a person trapped inside the vehicle's trunk). Once broken, the handles no longer function, creating a safety hazard. CR also checked other vehicles in its fleet, but found no such similar defect. As a result, the watchdog alerted both parent Toyota, which has launched its own internal investigation, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the issue. Both the automaker and NHTSA are currently determining whether further action needs to be taken.

As you may recall, this isn't the first time Consumer Reports has blown the safety whistle on a Lexus model. In 2010, CR discovered a flaw in the stability control system of the Lexus GX SUV that lead to increased rollover risk during evasive maneuvers. In that case, Toyota quickly issued a recall, complete with a software update to take care of the problem. Watch the video below for a full explanation of the trunk release issue.

Continue reading Consumer Reports finds flaw with Lexus ES, GS emergency trunk safety release, alerts NHTSA

Consumer Reports finds flaw with Lexus ES, GS emergency trunk safety release, alerts NHTSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a Lexus ES magazine ad come to life with CinePrint technology

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Videos, Lexus, Luxury

We've seen all sorts of clever marketing tricks lately, but we'll admit, this is actually pretty cool. Taking its print advertising campaign one step further, Lexus has employed CinePrint to bring some life to an otherwise static magazine spot for its new 2013 ES sedan in the October 15 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Here's how it works: Download the iPad edition of SI, place the iPad under the actual magazine page displaying the ad, dim the lights and watch it all unfold. The once-lifeless ES ad now dances on the page using technology that, as Lexus says, creates "a tactile and visceral connection that brings one closer to the printed page with a multi-sensory experience that combines sight, sound and touch." In other words, it looks really rad.

You can check it out in person with this month's issue of Sports Illustrated, or simply scroll down to see the CinePrint ad in action.

Continue reading Watch a Lexus ES magazine ad come to life with CinePrint technology

Watch a Lexus ES magazine ad come to life with CinePrint technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Dart and three others latest to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Crossover, Dodge, Hyundai, Lexus, Subaru

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named four more vehicles to its coveted Top Safety Pick list, which has grown to include 131 models. This time around, the 2013 Dodge Dart, Lexus ES, Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru XV Crosstrek achieved top marks for crash safety in all applicable criteria tests. The IIHS has yet to start any large-scale tests of its new small overlap front crash test, so none of these models were subjected to this new category.

Proving how safe small cars now are, the Dart is one of 31 compact cars to grab a spot as a Top Safety Pick, being joined by XV Crosstrek. This is definitely good news for Subaru as, aside from the old-bodied Impreza WRX, its lineup of new products is on this list of safe vehicles.

While the new Santa Fe was named as a Top Safety Pick, it was actually the smaller Santa Fe Sport that was crash tested by Hyundai rather than the three-row model that now wears this name. Finally, both the hybrid (ES 300h) and non-hybrid versions of the new Lexus ES made the cut even though it is listed solely as the ES 350.

Continue reading Dodge Dart and three others latest to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

Dodge Dart and three others latest to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Lexus ES 350

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Lexus, First Drives, Luxury

Same As It Ever Was

Toyota really caught us off guard at the 2012 New York Auto Show. While scanning the press materials for the 2013 Avalon, we noticed the word "sporty" was used on quite a few occasions, and the release even talked about foreign-to-the-Avalon concepts like "throttle response," "steering feel" and "paddle shifters." At the time, it appeared that Toyota was actually getting serious about injecting a bit of youth and enthusiasm into its most geriatric-friendly machine.

How is this relevant to the car we're discussing today, the 2013 Lexus ES? For the first time since its debut in 1989, the ES no longer shares its platform with the appliance-for-the-masses Toyota Camry, a vehicle that we recently described as "old and tired," despite being totally new for the 2012 model year. For this new, sixth-generation ES, Lexus has opted to use the platform that also underpins the upcoming Avalon, the same one that piqued our interest at the New York expo.

Lexus itself wants us to believe that this new ES is more athletic. Scan the company's literature and you'll read about the "direct steering feel" and the "sport mode [that] increases powertrain and steering responsiveness." Sure, it sounds like the usual PR mumbo-jumbo, but these sorts of phrases had never appeared in ES press releases before now.

This can't possibly be just another plushy-plush Camry, right?

Continue reading 2013 Lexus ES 350

2013 Lexus ES 350 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus debuts 2013 ES including new 300h hybrid

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

When the Toyota Camry gets overhauled, like it did this year, you know it's not long before its corporate sister, the Lexus ES, gets revisited as well. And Lexus has done exactly that this afternoon at the New York Auto Show, with the new model doing what the ES does best: Surprise no one.

As expected, the biggest news is the announcement of a hybrid ES, a move that should be the final nail in the coffin of the slow-selling HS 250h. This new hybrid is essentially the Camry hybrid in a nicer package, powered by the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder fitted with the ubiquitous Toyota hybrid system. As it does in the hybrid GS, Lexus will offer a sport drive mode, as well as an EV mode. Lexus estimates that the ES hybrid will have 40-mile-per-gallon combined fuel economy, matching that of the Camry Hybrid XLE (a number that presumably will give it best-in-class bragging rights).

The ES gets the new Lexus spindle grille treatment and a 1.8-inch longer wheelbase, but changes to the sheetmetal aren't as dramatic as the upgraded cabin. The instrument panel now resembles the one in the GS, with a horizontal treatment and a big LCD screen, along with the love/hate Lexus Remote Touch Interface controller snuggling next to the gearshift in the center console. New seats boast a leather-alternative NuLuxe covering, although real hide is also available, along with premium semi-aniline leather. Somehow, Lexus has even managed to find an extra four inches of legroom up front.

The ES 350 will still mate Toyota's proven 3.5-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic, driving the front wheels. But Lexus says it's modified the suspension and steering in this generation of ES to improve handling - and it's even cut the curb weight of the 2013 ES by 90 pounds.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Lexus debuts 2013 ES including new 300h hybrid

Lexus debuts 2013 ES including new 300h hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Lexus ES teased ahead of New York debut

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus has released this teaser image of the 2013 ES sedan, and - surprise, surprise - it shows off the spindle grille and LED running lamps found on each and every one of the automaker's vehicles. More to the point, it looks exactly like what we saw in a set of Chinese spy shots that we posted last month, so really, there isn't much left for us to speculate on in terms of design.

The Camry-based Lexus mid-sizer will likely debut in ES 350 guise, powered by Toyota's tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6. And while, historically, there's only been one engine offered in the ES range, rumor has it that this sixth-generation model may gain a hybrid variant with a version of the Camry Hybrid's gasoline-electric powertrain. Regardless, Lexus states that the new ES will feature "a new dynamic driving experience." We'll see about that.

Inside, expect a host of updates similar to what we've seen on the GS sedan, including a larger infotainment display screen and mouse-like controller, as well as the addition of Lexus Enform. We'll have the full details next week live from New York, so stay tuned. For now, hit the jump for the automaker's brief press blast.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus ES teased ahead of New York debut

2013 Lexus ES teased ahead of New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Lexus ES shows up undisguised in China

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

The car in the image above may bear a striking resemblance to the 2013 Lexus GS, but take a second look - that's actually the next-generation ES, despite its shockingly similar appearance. It's no secret that Lexus' new hourglass grille is quickly spreading across its entire model range (check out the recently unveiled 2013 LX 570 for reference), and while the ES looks fashionably familiar, there are a few new touches to note.

Underneath the headlamps we can clearly see a row of LED running lights, similar to what's found on the GS... and IS... and CT. Around back, there's a similar resemblance to the larger GS, though the lines are a bit more sedate - a good thing, as the ES shopper tends to be a little more conservative than folks opting for the rear-wheel-drive GS. Chinese site Autohome got its hands on some interior photos, too, and - surprise, surprise - there's a whole lot of GS in the reworked cabin as well, with a two-tiered dash featuring large navigation/infotainment screen up top.

The car Autohome caught is the ES 250 model, which suggests that Lexus' 2.5-liter V6 is underhood - the same engine available in the GS 250 in other markets. Here in the United States, the ES will still likely be available with the automaker's 3.5-liter V6, though earlier reports have suggested that a new hybrid model could also be in the cards.

2013 Lexus ES shows up undisguised in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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