K in sedan
transmission has a wider range of ratios, designed to return improved fuel consumption and more responsive performance.
Although the 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder engine which produces 152kW of power and 162Nm of torque on offer in the 250 won’t win you many street races, it does offer 17kW more than its predecessor and combines well for seamless shifts in the very impressive gearbox. The claimed fuel consumption of 6.6l/100km is also very attractive .
The hybrid, which Lexus claims will use only 4.6l/100km, couples the aforementioned ultra-efficient 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine with a lighter, more compact and more power-dense electric motor. The nickel metal-hydride battery that powers the electric motor has been relocated from the boot to underneath the back seat. Its total system power is 160kW and Lexus claims that it can record a very laudable 8.9sec on the 0-100km sprint.
Although drive mode is adjustable between Eco, Normal an Sport on both models, the difference performance-wise between the three wasn’t really overwhelming expect for a bit more engine noise when in Sport mode.
Although the design of the front suspension is similar to the previous ES, several changes have been made to improve overall responsiveness, which we experienced first-hand on comfortably negotiating the winding mountain-passes around Franschoek and Stellenbosch.
To make both models even more attractive, Lexus announced that they will come standard with a superb seven-year/105 000km full maintenance plan which will even be backdated to previous models which qualify for this.
All in all, the new ES hits the spot with the 250. Like Lexus would like to boast, it is cheaper and bigger than both premium small SUVs and mid-sized premium sedans. It is very spacious and easily swallows four adults and plenty of suitcases. The previous model was already the brand’s best local seller since 2013 and the new one should undoubtedly follow that trend.
At a price tag of R593k it’s difficult to think of it as “the poor man’s Lexus”, but that is exactly what it is. It offers a gateway to a premium brand.
The hybrid will be a harder sell, because even with all the added features, its R843 800 price tag places it in a tough bracket alongside premium competitors also fitted with all the bells and whistles. But I’ll leave that for “millennials” to ponder over their kale smoothies...