Shanghai, April 23, 2025 — Under the theme of “Time · Evolution”, LEXUS debuts its full range of vehicles at the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition. The brand’s flagship large luxury executive sedan, the all-new generation ES, makes its global debut, redefining the luxury travel experience with its revolutionary design, Eastern aesthetics, and electrification technology. Mr. Li Hui, General Manager of Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd., stated: “The all-new generation ES, developed from the research origin of China’s demands, starts from the ‘IN CHINA FOR CHINA’ philosophy, integrating the Eastern cultural elements of ‘Ritual’ and ‘Environment’ into the product, interpreting LEXUS’s vision of future luxury.”
The new generation LEXUS ES is crafted with the design language of the LF-ZC pure electric concept car, adopting a breakthrough spindle-shaped body for the first time. The front lines naturally extend from the hood to the corners of the bumper, creating a low-slung visual stance; the side waistline flows like calligraphy, while the continuous taillight enhances aerodynamic performance, combining recognition and functionality. The cabin design continues the “Tazuna Concept,” optimizing the driver’s view of the dashboard, and aligns with the “Time is Luxury” philosophy through innovative craftsmanship like bamboo layered light-transmitting panels and hidden responsive buttons, achieving multi-sensory interaction in touch, vision, hearing, and smell. The interior introduces the “Blue Bamboo” color scheme for the first time, combined with environmentally processed bamboo, conveying Eastern cultural meanings and sustainability.
The new generation ES achieves breakthroughs in comfort, intelligence, and safety configurations: the front “Comfort Passenger” is equipped with dual displays, the rear “Exclusive Seats” optimize space and configuration; the globally first hidden responsive buttons simplify the operation interface; continuing LEXUS’s consistent high-standard body structure and active safety systems. Technical highlights include:
- The front “Comfort Passenger” equipped with dual displays redefines the aesthetic of human-car interaction technology;
- Rear “Exclusive Seats” support more spacious and comfortable configurations;
- Globally first hidden responsive buttons integrate technology with aesthetic design.
Since the brand’s first LS debuted in 1989, the ES has undergone seven generations and achieved global cumulative sales of over one million units. After entering the Chinese market in 2006, the ES became an emotional bond between the brand and Chinese users. The all-new generation ES is specifically developed for China, undergoing localized research and on-site development to strengthen intelligent cockpit interaction and new energy technology adaptation. At the auto show, LEXUS uses “Time” as a clue to construct an immersive booth: from the first-generation LS to the all-new generation ES, combined with the OVERTRAIL series models (LX 700h OVERTRAIL, GX OVERTRAIL, etc.), showcasing the brand’s complete matrix layout from luxury sedans to off-road vehicles. The flagship off-road SUV LX 700h OVERTRAIL is equipped with a powerful hybrid system, supporting extreme exploration; the GX OVERTRAIL combines rugged design with luxurious space, meeting diverse outdoor scene demands.
Facing the electrification transition in the Chinese market, LEXUS plans to accelerate the launch of electrified products, introducing 6 new energy models over the next three years, covering pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The brand will deepen its local R&D system, enhance smart driving and vehicle networking technologies, and convey its 20-year development journey and future vision in China through exhibitions like the “Corridor of Time.”
The launch of the new generation ES marks an acceleration in LEXUS’s transition from “classic luxury” to “future luxury.” With a strategy rooted in Eastern culture and leveraging electrification technology, it may offer a differentiated competitive model in the luxury car market.
This article is a translation by AI of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.