Lexus has released a new teaser image. It’s supposed to preview what it has in store for the Beijing Auto Show this year. But while it isn’t giving us much to go on, we have a pretty good idea of what we’re looking at.
The preview image is pretty closely cropped-in. But it looks distinctly like the snout of the new ES sedan that leaked out just the other day.
The new four-door model is slated to move up a size to replace both the existing ES and the larger GS. That ought to put it in direct contention with the likes of the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series. And that, in turn, will leave the sportier IS to take on the C-Class and 3 Series. As it currently stands, the IS and ES double down on that same market segment.
The ES was one of Lexus’ first models. It debuted in 1989 as the first of six iterations we’ve seen to date. The IS first arrived in ’98 with a sportier approach, and is now in its third generation. The larger GS initially arrived in ’91 with a design penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. But after four iterations now, the nameplate looks poised to be put to pasture.
For the automaker’s part, all it’s saying is that “this all-new Lexus vehicle aims to radically transform the driving experience for luxury consumers all over the world.” That tells us that it’ll be an all-new production vehicle, not a concept or a rehashed version of an existing model. It’ll also be a global product (not limited to one market) that promises to put the focus on the driver.
Lexus is also warning us to “expect the unexpected.” But as far as we’re concerned, we know exactly what to expect. We’ll just have to wait to see the finished product in full. But with the Chinese expo slated to open in just two weeks from now on April 25, it won’t be much longer. So watch this space.
