KUALA LUMPUR: The Lexus ES 250 has gone through physical touch ups with minor performance tweaks for 2021, with the biggest update being the inclusion of the F Sport variant, bringing the current lineup to three.
Premium and Luxury variants are revised and refreshed, most notably sporting a change to the spindle grille design element now featuring fewer vertical bars and L-shaped patterns that emphasise lateral flow.
The F Sport's spindle grille on the other hand has a mesh pattern composed of interlocking L elements with a dark metallic finish. Cut-outs at each corner of the front fascia also sport the black finish mesh but have wider openings than the other two versions.
Headlamps have also received some restyling to complement the revised front grille. The Premium's the Bi-LED Projector units have a new inner bezel design while the ultra-compact 3-beam LED projector headlamps of the Luxury and F Sport have a new and distinctive Daytime Running Light design.
The F Sport also has its own set of 19-inch alloy wheels with a Dark Premium Metallic finish and an exclusive rear spoiler. Premium and Luxury maintain their 18-inch alloy wheels, though the latter has a Dark Grey Metallic Finish new design.
Interior cockpit design has also been updated featuring a new, full colour 12.3-inch touchscreen (8 inches in the Premium) multimedia display repositioned for improved operability – 112mm closer to the occupants and turned five degrees towards the driver. The Luxury and F Sport's multimedia system includes navigation services.
All new models also now come with a Nanoe-X negative ion generator for improved cabin air quality – the first Lexus model to introduce this feature as standard – and USB ports have been upgraded to Type-C.
To emphasise its sportier character the F Sport's light-emitting analogue clock on the dashboard has its own unique L-shaped graphics, while the meter has an electric movable metal ring with a 3-D effect – an idea that was first used in the Lexus LFA supercar and is found in other F Sport variants too.
Part of the F Sport package also includes a leather-covered three-spoke F Sport steering wheel, dimpled leather-trimmed shift knob and sporty aluminium pedals and footrest.
Performance
All three versions are powered by the 4-cylinder 16-valve, 2.5-litre DOHC A25A-FKS petrol engine with features such as multi-hole direct injectors, a continuously variable-capacity oil pump, a variable cooling system, and VVT-iE on the intake valves.
The long-stroke engine paired to a Direct Shift 8-speed automatic transmission (front wheels) produces 204hp at 6,600 rpm and 247Nm at 5,000 rpm, allowing the car to reach a maximum speed of 210 kph after having sprinted from 0 to 100kph in 9.1 seconds.
The transmission uses an ultra-thin torque converter and a multi-plate lock up clutch, geared towards giving the direct feel of a dual clutch system with the smoothness of a traditional torque converter automatic.
A related system called Direct Connected Downshift allows the transmission to skip gears when large throttle openings are detected such as when overtaking on the highway and the Drive Mode Select system allows the engine's performance to be prioritized for Economy or Sport, or a balance of both.
A key element of the cars is the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform which includes a chassis made from several grades of high-strength steel to further solidifying the car's structure. The platform also aims to enhance core performance criteria to deliver excellent straight-line driving stability, cornering poise, and braking ability.
The MacPherson strut front suspension and trailing-arm double-wishbone rear suspension make a return, though they have been improved by increasing the rigidity (through adding a brace) of the rear suspension to deliver improved ride comfort and handling.
Chassis-mounted performance dampers absorb are installed in the Luxury and F Sport variants to detect even the smallest instances of frame compression and or flex to keep them from generating any resonances that might generate interior cabin noise.
Safety
All versions feature Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) as standard. The Pre-Collision System (PCS) for the updated model has been enhanced for daytime cyclist detection by both a millimetre-wave radar and a monocular camera sensor. Pedestrian identification in certain low-light situations is also improved by increasing the camera's sensitivity and dynamic range.
Other elements of LSS+ are Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with Stop & Go Function, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) with advance BladeScan technology coupled with a new Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Parking Support Brake (PKSB).
An inclination sensor security system is also present for better protection against being towed away by thieves. It will detect when the car is tilted while it is being towed and the siren with an internal battery will be triggered.
Variants
Premium and Luxury is available in eight colours: Sonic Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Ice Ecru Mica Metallic, Deep Blue Mica, and two new colours Sonic Iridium and Sonic Chrome.
F Sport comes in Sonic Iridium, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Sonic Chrome, Red Mica Crystal Shine, and two new exclusive colours Heat Blue Contrast Layering and White Nova Glass Flake.
New interior colour themes available as well. Premium and Luxury comes in Black with Walnut Black trim or a more luxurious Walnut Brown trim with Hazel upholstery. Luxury can also be ordered with Walnut Black trim and a medium brown colour Mauve upholstery. Aluminium finish on the trim with either Flare Red or Black upholstery is exclusively reserved for the F Sport.
The Lexus ES 250 Premium is priced at RM95,663.50 while the Luxury variant is going for RM329,910.50. The new F Sport variant starts at RM345,134.00. All prices mentioned are on the road without insurance and are currently exempt of SST till the end of the year.
