By: IOL Motoring Staff
The Lexus ES has always been the more conservative member of the Lexus family and in relative terms that might still be the case going into the future, but that doesn't mean the cushy saloon can't let it's hair down a bit.
In design terms the entire family has gone bonkers of late and even the facelifted version of the most sensible Lexus, revealed in China this week, has not escaped the influence.
Given that it's a midlife refresh, we see a familiar side profile rather than a collection of sharp creases and slashes, yet you will see the modern face of Lexus at the front, where stylists have given it shapelier headlights featuring LED projector technology and arrowhead-shaped daytime running lights that point into the bolder spindle grille.
From the side you'll see fresh alloy wheel designs while new taillights and a restyled licence plate garnish round off the changes at the back end.
Four new exterior colours bring the tally to 10 with Nightfall Mica, Amber, Eminent White Pearl and Caviar joining the line-up. On that note, there's a new collection of interior colour combinations, as well as trim enhancements, a new steering wheel and larger TFT multi-information display.
On the safety front, the ES inherits the new Lexus Safety System +, which combines the advanced active safety systems into one single networked package.
As for the nuts and bolts, engineers made structural reinforcements to make the front-wheel drive ES a little stiffer and an additional layer of sound deadening material behind the dashboard is in place to make the cabin even quieter.
While the South Africans will have the same engine choices as before when the new ES arrives during the second half of the year (these being a 135kW 2.5 petrol and 151kW hybrid), certain markets gain a new 2-litre direct injection four-cylinder motor.