Lexus ES 350 test drive since 2009 sedan
Lexus ES 350. Natural selection
The new Lexus ES is designed to compensate for mediocre sales of the previous generation of the model. And I must say, the premiere test of the pre -production ES in the American Oregon inspires optimism: the sedan has become much more thoughtful and logical ...
Lexus ES 350. Price: Not defined. On sale: n. D.
Vladimir Makkaveev, 35 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience 16 years, personal car - Volvo C30.
It is possible to discuss an arbitrarily for a long time about the pace of development of society, to increase the innovation of technology and futurism of structures, however, the fundamental principles by which civilization develops will never change. The natural selection that determines the face of evolution from the first days of the origin of life on Earth today plays no less role than a couple of millennia ago. Moreover, this concerns not only a person, but also the products of his production. Cars are no exception. And the story of Lexus ES is the brightest confirmation!
Even according to strict European artistic standards, the interior design looks very organic and more suitable. Decoration materials above all praise
In confrontation with models such as Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Volvo S80 and Audi A6, the previous ES turned out to be, to put it mildly, unclaimed in the market. Piece sales that did not pass last year in Russia even for a thousand copies, the brightest confirmation of this.
However, the Japanese people are stubborn, not accustomed to recognize defeat. That's what they are, they take it! Do we not know this?! So it was under Tsushima, it was in Port Arthur ... It seems that it will seem to Lexus ES.
Even after the failure of the previous model in the non -American markets in Lexus, they did not desperate, but on the contrary, they intended to bring ES to the leaders of the lineup. How justified are these claims? In order to find out, a few months before the debut of the new ES in Russia, we went to the distant Oregon state, on the northwestern coast of America, where Lexus organized the premiere test of his new flagship.
The increase in dimensions and the base has a beneficial effect on the space for the legs and the comfort of passengers of the rear sofa
Actually, the choice of the place of presentation speaks for itself. The United States is definitely the main market for the new model. Hence some stylistic features of the Japanese, unambiguously focused on the American market. The appearance refreshed in the American manner looks, although quite conservatino by European standards, but very thoroughly. First of all, thanks to the branded sand clock. New, extended by 25 mm in dimensions and 45 mm at the body base and exquisite, and most importantly, the balanced interior can also be recorded in ES trump cards. The chassis also underwent changes: the springs with a reverse navigation in the front suspension increased the stability of the car. The shortened steering wheel with a gear ratio of 14.8: 1 instead of 16.1: 1 and 2.9 turns from the stop to stop increased. However, the latter does not mean that the essence of ES has changed.
Despite the enviable dyn-miki of the 277-horsepower V6 engine with a torque of 346 Nm, which disperses the 2-ton Lexus ES 350 to hundreds of quickly than 7.5 seconds, the model is still focused on comfort. Starting with an increase in the dimensions that have been a beneficial for passengers of the rear sofa, and ending with numerous options for comfort with a three-zone climate control, window curtains, automatic switching systems of near and high light and interference in the dead zone. The only thing that does not really fit into this concept is the sound insulation of the wheeled arches. Oregon rains in this regard outplayed the Japanese, somewhat mixed the impression of silence in the cabin. If desired, the measured rustle of water on the shelter, of course, can be counted for eco-music performed by the pre-production version. But the other, alas, has not yet been able to try. So it remains to evaluate what is.
However, in comparison with the previous cotton and inter -class generation, ES, even with some pre -production shortcomings, which most likely melt the conveyor, the new ES is much more combat -ready. Perhaps not as charismatic as European competitors from Germany and Sweden, but these models are different in the orientation. From the point of view of American psychology, Lexus ES, the car is more than successful. As for the Euro -Asian market, here Lexus ES does not apply for a lot in territorial terms. Having completely scored to Western Europe, for which they would have to build a diesel version, Lexus rely only on Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, where ES will invade three power units: our 3500 -cubic hero on the machine, a 205 -horsepower 300h hybrid with a unfavorable variator And, probably, the most promising from the point of view of implementation, by a 2.5 -liter ES 250 with a capacity of 184 liters. With. C
Why the most promising? The Japanese do not hide that in Russia ES is primarily aimed at corporate clients, whom he clearly was short in the previous generation. And for them, the engine power is secondary in relation to the representative appearance of the model.
JOKER
According to the already established Lexus tradition, the launch of the new model could not do without a hybrid Joker ES 300H. A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection and an electric motor, with common efforts, develop a capacity of 205 liters. With. On two engines, ES 300H accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h per 8.5 s, consuming in a mixed cycle of 5.4 liters per 100 km. In the urban cycle, the Lexus full -hybrid drive allows you to move in one electric protrusion for some time. Batteries, according to tradition, are located in the trunk, eating only 65 liters of space. The hybrid version, of course, will be the most expensive in the Lexus ES lineup.
Our verdict
Although charisma, in comparison with competitors in class, Lexus ES is still not far from, the chances of winning a solid bridgehead in the corporate market at the model, unlike the predecessor, are quite high. Of course, this applies not so much to the top -powered version of the ES 350, as the most affordable ES 250 and, partly, the ES 300H hybrid.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
+
More progressive, in comparison with the previous model, dynamics and handling, high level of comfort, good fuel efficiency.
-
Not the best sound insulation of wheeled arches, the absence of adaptive cruise control in Russia list for Russia.
Driving
On the road, ES has become much more lively and sharper.
Salon
The design and quality of decoration materials are almost perfect.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, there are almost no complaints, only the most effective sound insulation of the wheel arches is upset.
Security
Perfect auxiliary electronics, monitoring systems and 10 airbags.
Price
Unspecified.
We do not love
Effective
The panoramic roof visually increases the space of the cabin.
Adaptively
The 6-speed automatic transmission is adjusted to the driving manner.
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions 4900x1820x1450mm
Base 2820 mm
Equipped mass 16401675 kg
Full mass
2130 kg
Clearance 151152 mm
Trunk volume 490 l
Fuel tank volume 65 liters
Gasoline engine, 3456 cm3,
277/6200 l.S./min-1, 347/4700 Nm/min-1
Automatic transmission, 6-speed
Dynamics 210 km/h; 7.4 s to 100 km/h
Fuel consumption 9.5 l/100 km in mix. cycle
Competitors Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Volvo S80
A source: Magazine 5 wheel [September 2012]
