What is it?
2007 Lexus ES 350
What's special about it?
An all-new ES 350 will grace the Lexus lineup for the 2007 model year, replacing the aging ES 330. As before, the ES will share its platform with the Toyota Camry.
Of course, Lexus doesn't want you to think of the ES 350 as an upscale Camry but as a full-on luxury car. To emphasize that point, the company installed an 80-foot mechanical flower on the corner of Michigan and Superior in the midst of Chicago's famed shopping district.
"If you're still wondering about the connection between a giant robotic bloom and our new ES," said Bob Carter, Lexus group vice president and general manager, "I can tell you the answer lies in this question: 'Can you engineer desire?'"
While you mull that over, we can tell you the new car is a scant four-tenths of an inch wider and has 1.2 inches more track width than the outgoing ES. Overall length remains the same, but wheelbase is up 2.2 inches to offer a more usable interior and reduce overhang at both ends.
"The goal is to offer more car without significantly increasing its size," said Paul Williamsen, Toyota's product education manager.
There's more power under the hood as well. A new 3.5-liter V6 with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts increases output to 272 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, a significant bump over the ES 330's 225-hp V6. There's also a new six-speed transmission putting power down through the front wheels. Lexus says the ES gets to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. Fuel economy rates 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway versus 21/29 on the ES 330.
Lexus tuned the suspension to complement the drivetrain's capabilities, said Williamsen. "It's not an all-new platform, it's an evolution of the previous one," he added. "This allowed us to really refine the suspension in a way that wouldn't have been possible with a totally new platform."
The new ES is the beneficiary of several technologies which have already appeared on other higher-end Lexus models like the SmartAccess keyless entry and push-to-start ignition system — it will be standard on every ES. Also standard is dual-zone climate control, 10-way adjustable power front seats, a power telescoping steering wheel, and an MP3 player hookup.
Glance at the options list and Lexus will dazzle you with a panoramic glass roof, adaptive cruise control, and a new 14-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that plays true 5.1 surround sound if you feed in a DVD Audio disc. You can get a rear parking monitor with the optional voice-controlled navigation system, and if that's not enough help, you can opt for the Intuitive Parking Assist system which uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles.
Look inside and it's clear the ES isn't just a rebadged Camry. "Every surface the driver touches has been redesigned with new materials and a new look," said Williamsen.
It's a difference that matters. The ES's steering wheel, navigation and heating, and air-conditioning controls are all upscale and distinct, and the walnut trim is exquisite. There's also an odd sliding/folding center console lid which is more impressive to look at than actually use.
Eight airbags for everything from your head to your knees are standard. Two more rear-seat airbags are optional.
Lexus says the ES 350 will go on sale April 21. The company didn't release pricing, but Irv Miller, group vice president of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, told us, "Pricing will be fairly similar to what it is today."
What's Edmunds' Take?
From the looks of it, the 2007 Lexus ES 350 is a serious step up from the current car in almost every arena. Luxury, power and styling are all significantly updated. If Lexus can offer all this and keep pricing close to the ES 330's $32K sticker, we doubt the company will have trouble meeting its 70,000 sales goal, even if this ES still isn't much of an athlete. — Josh Jacquot, Erin Riches
2007 Lexus ES 350
What's special about it?
An all-new ES 350 will grace the Lexus lineup for the 2007 model year, replacing the aging ES 330. As before, the ES will share its platform with the Toyota Camry.
Of course, Lexus doesn't want you to think of the ES 350 as an upscale Camry but as a full-on luxury car. To emphasize that point, the company installed an 80-foot mechanical flower on the corner of Michigan and Superior in the midst of Chicago's famed shopping district.
"If you're still wondering about the connection between a giant robotic bloom and our new ES," said Bob Carter, Lexus group vice president and general manager, "I can tell you the answer lies in this question: 'Can you engineer desire?'"
While you mull that over, we can tell you the new car is a scant four-tenths of an inch wider and has 1.2 inches more track width than the outgoing ES. Overall length remains the same, but wheelbase is up 2.2 inches to offer a more usable interior and reduce overhang at both ends.
"The goal is to offer more car without significantly increasing its size," said Paul Williamsen, Toyota's product education manager.
There's more power under the hood as well. A new 3.5-liter V6 with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts increases output to 272 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, a significant bump over the ES 330's 225-hp V6. There's also a new six-speed transmission putting power down through the front wheels. Lexus says the ES gets to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. Fuel economy rates 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway versus 21/29 on the ES 330.
Lexus tuned the suspension to complement the drivetrain's capabilities, said Williamsen. "It's not an all-new platform, it's an evolution of the previous one," he added. "This allowed us to really refine the suspension in a way that wouldn't have been possible with a totally new platform."
The new ES is the beneficiary of several technologies which have already appeared on other higher-end Lexus models like the SmartAccess keyless entry and push-to-start ignition system — it will be standard on every ES. Also standard is dual-zone climate control, 10-way adjustable power front seats, a power telescoping steering wheel, and an MP3 player hookup.
Glance at the options list and Lexus will dazzle you with a panoramic glass roof, adaptive cruise control, and a new 14-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that plays true 5.1 surround sound if you feed in a DVD Audio disc. You can get a rear parking monitor with the optional voice-controlled navigation system, and if that's not enough help, you can opt for the Intuitive Parking Assist system which uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles.
Look inside and it's clear the ES isn't just a rebadged Camry. "Every surface the driver touches has been redesigned with new materials and a new look," said Williamsen.
It's a difference that matters. The ES's steering wheel, navigation and heating, and air-conditioning controls are all upscale and distinct, and the walnut trim is exquisite. There's also an odd sliding/folding center console lid which is more impressive to look at than actually use.
Eight airbags for everything from your head to your knees are standard. Two more rear-seat airbags are optional.
Lexus says the ES 350 will go on sale April 21. The company didn't release pricing, but Irv Miller, group vice president of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, told us, "Pricing will be fairly similar to what it is today."
What's Edmunds' Take?
From the looks of it, the 2007 Lexus ES 350 is a serious step up from the current car in almost every arena. Luxury, power and styling are all significantly updated. If Lexus can offer all this and keep pricing close to the ES 330's $32K sticker, we doubt the company will have trouble meeting its 70,000 sales goal, even if this ES still isn't much of an athlete. — Josh Jacquot, Erin Riches
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