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All-New 2007 Lexus ES 350 Sedan Packages More Power, Performance, Luxury and Safety in Bold New Design Review

September 2006
Filed under: LEXUS Car News | LEXUS Headlines
September 12, 2006 – Torrance, CA - Lexus has introduced the all-new ES 350 luxury sedan for 2007, the fifth generation of the model that sparked the growth of the entry-luxury segment more than 15 years ago. The 2007 ES 350 belies the term "entry luxury" by offering performance, comfort, and user technology previously associated with prestige-luxury models.

2007 Lexus ES 350

The 2007 ES 350 introduces a rich, contemporary look with its own interpretation of the new Lexus design language. The bold design emphasizes a more dynamic and sculptural direction, revealing a strong family resemblance across the brand's entire sedan lineup. A long hood, pulled-back cabin, short overhangs and short rear deck are characteristic of the new design theme, with a contemporary signature unique to each of the four new-generation Lexus sedan model lines: ES, IS, GS and flagship LS. Dual exhaust with seamless chrome tips add a new performance accent to the ES 350.

The front-wheel drive ES 350 offers a significant step up in performance over its predecessor. A 272-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 replaces a 218-horsepower 3.3-liter V6, and an advanced new six-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous five-speed automatic. The 2007 ES 350 can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in 6.8 seconds. It is certified to the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) standard and has EPA fuel economy estimates of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined.

The ES 350 interior is more luxurious than ever, featuring 10-way power seats, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, SmartAccess with push-button start/stop and a new multi-information display. The 2007 ES 350 offers a dramatic new panoramic glass sunroof and a number of new user technologies, as well. Lexus' focus on safety for the ES 350 includes newly standard Vehicle Stability Control, eight standard airbags, and the optional pre-collision system that can help reduce collision damage.

2007 Lexus ES 350


"The ES has evolved to the point where we can now say that, while the original LS sedan was a breakthrough vehicle for the prestige luxury category, the new ES is more powerful, quicker, quieter and, of course, more fuel efficient than that flagship vehicle," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter.

Sleek New Design Yields More Comfort
With a wheelbase more than two inches longer and the track more than an inch wider, the 2007 ES 350 projects a more confident stance. Without increasing the overall exterior length, the designers increased rear legroom while maintaining the already spacious front section. The ES 350 interior exudes intelligent, elegant luxury, with touch points that convey quality and controls that respond fluidly.

A new level of craftsmanship is immediately evident in the ES 350, with premium wood, polished metal and leather accents that recall prestige-luxury models. Intelligently designed displays and controls help make driving comfortable and pleasurable. Bright, clear Optitron gauges combined with smartly integrated metallic trim and authentic walnut wood trim help create an elegant ambience.

Advanced New Engine and Drivetrain
The ES 350's aluminum 3.5-liter V6 produces 272 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. peak torque at 4,700 rpm. The chain-driven camshafts employ Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual VVT-i) for optimal performance and efficiency at all engine speeds. New measures, including roller-rocker arms, help to reduce internal friction and increase efficiency. A stainless-steel dual-exhaust system reduces backpressure at high rpm to enhance performance.

2007 Lexus ES 350


The new six-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) provides a sequential manual shift feature for a more involved driving experience when desired. Shifting strategy adapts to driver input, and kick-down response is twice as fast as the previous five-speed automatic.

The low-friction, high-efficiency gear train is lighter and more compact than in the previous five-speed transmission, with 20-percent fewer parts and 24-percent fewer hydraulic controls. A quick-response, low-friction clutch pack and an ultra-flat, low-inertia torque converter help to enhance transmission smoothness and efficiency.

New Pre-Collision Technology
Lexus has equipped the 2007 Lexus ES 350 with an even higher level of dynamic and passive safety technology than before. Notably, the advanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control system (TRAC) is now standard, and the 2007 ES 350 becomes the second car in its segment to offer an available pre-collision system (the first was the sporty Lexus IS introduced for 2006).

VSC also integrates Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and the Brake Assist feature. VSC helps control loss of lateral traction while cornering on slippery or dry road surfaces by using throttle intervention and/or applying individual wheel braking to help control any discrepancy between where the driver is steering and where the vehicle is heading.

EBD optimizes braking pressure at each wheel to help minimize body dive or sway during hard braking and cornering. Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to activate the ABS, it applies increased braking force until pedal pressure is released.

The optional Pre-Collision System (PCS) in the ES 350 can help reduce collision damage. The package includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which uses millimeter-wave radar to measure and maintain a set distance from a vehicle traveling ahead. PCS relies on the radar sensor to detect obstacles in front of the car, and a PCS computer with vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw-rate inputs helps to determine whether a collision is unavoidable.

In such a situation, PCS preemptively retracts front seat belts and pre-initializes Brake Assist so that increased braking will be applied the instant the driver depresses the pedal. The "Active Braking" feature can automatically apply the brakes up to a deceleration rate of 0.3 G's if the driver fails to react to system warnings.

2007 Lexus ES 350


Eight Standard Airbags
Passive safety technology begins with a reinforced front- and rear-structure passenger compartment that helps protect occupants. Seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters are used for the front and rear seats. In addition to the dual front airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, the Lexus Supplemental Restraint System includes side-curtain airbags that extend from the A-pillar to C-pillar, as well as a new knee airbag for both the driver and front passenger. Additionally, the customer may select optional rear side airbags, bringing the total number of airbags to 10.

Advanced dual-stage front airbags are designed to deploy at one of two speeds, according to impact force. The driver's front airbag also includes an extra low stage designed to deploy based, in part, on the seat's position on its track. The front-passenger airbag is now a two-chamber design.

The ES 350, like other Lexus models, emphasizes visibility in its safety approach. A water-repellant surface on the front side windows helps to bead rainwater. A rear back-up camera, part of the available navigation package, projects a color image of what its lens can detect behind the vehicle onto the navigation screen whenever reverse gear is engaged.

The optional Intuitive Park Assist system uses ultrasonic sensors to detect objects close to the car's front and rear bumpers, alerting the driver and showing distance to objects in the multi-information display within the speedometer. When the ES 350 is also equipped with the optional navigation system, information on objects detected is shown in greater detail on that system's seven-inch touch screen display.

The 2007 ES 350 is the first Lexus model to use a new dual-mode version of the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) that helps illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it. In the new version of AFS, a medium-to-high speed mode (over 19 mph) allows the right and left front headlamp bulbs to both swivel toward the direction of the turn at the same time, enhancing system effectiveness. In the first-generation AFS system, only the bulb on the side of the turn direction swivels toward the turn.

New Intelligent Luxury
The 2007 ES 350 follows in the tradition of past ES models by upping the ante for standard and optional equipment offered in this segment. As just one example, a one-touch tilt/slide power glass moonroof is standard for the ES 350, but optional on many competitors. The ES 350 also offers a new, optional panorama glass roof that extends over the entire passenger cabin, providing a fixed skylight for the rear seat area and a sliding sunroof for the front. The option includes a manual interior shade. The frameless design, with no visible gaskets, provides significantly tighter gaps than seen on similar roofs and contributes to the sleek appearance and efficient aerodynamics.

Lexus' craftsmanship and renowned attention to detail provide true luxury by design in the ES 350. A dual-zone automatic climate control system and 10-way power front seats (with available memory) and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel highlight front cabin comfort. The supportive seats feature standard high-quality fabric, with leather-trim seating—in a choice of three colors—included in the optional Premium and Premium Plus Packages. Exclusive perforated leather seating and trim are part of the Ultra Luxury Package.

The Premium Package also adds a number of popular amenities: driver's seat memory; Bluetooth® wireless technology; auto-dimming exterior mirrors with memory and automatic tilt-down function (when reverse gear is engaged); steering wheel memory, and control of memory functions through the remote keyless entry system.

From there, the customer can "layer" luxury in the ES 350 by adding the Premium Plus or Ultra-Luxury Packages, or by selecting from a number of standalone options. The Premium Plus package brings a power driver's seat cushion extender; rain-sensing windshield wipers; heated and ventilated front seats, and front passenger seat memory. Both the Premium and Premium Plus packages also include rear seat side airbags.

For true flagship-level luxury, the aptly named Ultra-Luxury Package equips the ES 350 with the contents of the Premium and Premium Plus packages and builds on that by also adding: panorama glass roof; perforated leather seating; power rear sunshade; the HID/AFS lighting package; navigation system with rear backup camera, and a wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. For a distinctive visual touch, the Ultra-Luxury Package also includes exclusive graphite-finish alloy wheels.

The Relentless Pursuit of Convenience
A key to Lexus luxury has long been the brand's renowned attention to customer convenience. Where some luxury brands seem to be making controls and user technology more difficult and distracting to use, Lexus has been doing the opposite. A prime example is the ES 350's new, standard multi-information display.

Located in the speedometer, the multi-information display is easy to see and operate. Its main feature is a trip computer that provides: outside temperature; driving range; average fuel consumption; average fuel consumption since refueling (per tank); current fuel consumption, and average speed. The display also includes an oil maintenance reminder and system warnings, all grouped in one convenient location.

Additional features are added to the multi-information display depending on selected options. When the ES 350 is equipped with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, the display can show a car icon with the selected following distance; when equipped with Intuitive Park Assist, the display can show a car icon with the location and distance of objects detected behind the car.

More convenience features abound throughout the ES 350. The SmartAccess keyless entry and push-to-start ignition system allows the driver to enter and start the car without needing to remove the access fob from pocket or purse. The leather-trimmed steering wheel integrates easy-to-use controls for the audio system, trip computer, and multi-information display and adds a voice control switch for the available navigation system when so-equipped.

The standard auto-dimming rearview mirror features an integrated digital compass; heated exterior mirrors help melt away morning fog or frost; a sliding center console enhances the feeling of roominess; and an illuminated entry system lights the exterior with puddle lamps and the interior cabin foot wells. The standard Homelink® transmitter can control compatible garage door openers, home security devices, and other systems.

The 2007 ES 350 is the first Lexus to feature owner-customizable personal settings. Previously, only a Lexus dealer could access this feature, which allows selection of different settings for lighting, power windows and moonroof, tilt steering wheel, and door lock control. A trait shared with other Lexus models, convenience extends to the smallest details in the new ES 350, from illuminated front cup holders to an interior LED soft-lighting system.

The Sound of Lexus Luxury
The 2007 ES 350 features an enhanced standard premium audio system that includes an in-dash, six-disc CD-changer and an input jack for an MP3/WMA player or iPod®. Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) maintains consistent sound levels for this eight-speaker system at varying vehicle speeds.

Audiophiles will want to experience the newest generation of the optional Mark Levinson® Premium Surround Sound Audio System that is available in conjunction with the DVD touch-screen navigation system. Using discrete 5.1 multi-channel playback with 7.1-channel speaker architecture, this leading-edge design uses 10 channels of amplification with 300 watts total output at 0.1 percent total harmonic distortion (THD) playing through 14 speakers.

The Mark Levinson® system plays conventional CDs and DVDs, plus MP3-formatted CDs. DVD movies can be viewed on the optional navigation system's color seven-inch touch screen when the vehicle is parked.

Fifth-Generation Navigation System
For 2007, the optionally available generation five Lexus Navigation System includes voice-recognition that allows the driver to enter a destination by voice command. Visual support is greatly enhanced with a central screen featuring a high resolution 800 x 480 pixel display in 32,000 colors. On-screen details are crisp and clean, and maps and roads are shown with 3-D shadow effects.

The new navigation system adds Spanish to the already available English and French text display options. The user can select the language preference at system start-up. System functions include multiple route calculation, route preview, simplified highway junction graphics, and a dual-map screen mode.

The DVD map database contains more than five million Points of Interest (POI). The database for Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York includes a "building footprint" display feature that can show graphic representations of buildings and structures to help the driver identify surroundings.

The navigation system also integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology. When combined with a compatible phone, Bluetooth® allows the driver to transfer personal phone books to the navigation system and make hands-free phone calls through its touch-screen control panel.

Premium Protection
All new Lexus vehicles come with a 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48-months/unlimited miles. Powertrain and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000 miles. Corrosion perforation protection is covered for 72 months, regardless of mileage.

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Source: Lexus

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