MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

So, the GS loses it's coupey profile in favor of more headroom...but the ES gets the coupey profile and has plenty of it.

The ES now has "dynamic handling" and a "driver focused interior".

A nice ES will cost ~$43k.

A nice GS costs $56k.

This is really bad news for the GS, folks. I know spwolf and others think that I am crazy for saying this, but as I have said over and over again, the GS's biggest competitor is the ES. The number of people who come into a Lexus dealership wanting a GS and leave in an ES is astounding. Why? They're similar sized cars with similar features and engines, and one costs $15k less. People don't care about RWD vs. FWD or a difference of 25 horsepower. The people who do are enthusiasts, and there simply aren't enough of us to justify a business case for a car like the GS.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I predict that this generation of GS could be the last. Akio already said, "I didn't want this car" in reference to the GS, so once the ES comes out and starts hammering sales down, there will be little to no business case to justify a next generation.

Fizzboy7

Wow, what a smart looking sedan! So excited we get to see a ton of these on the road for the next 30 years.

One thing though... where's the chrome exhaust tip? All that luxury and style and no tip? Maybe it's just not on the hybrid, but included with the regular models?

Slvr surfr

iTrader: (1)

This new LS....I mean ES is gorgeous! ;-). I may even consider this car now. Way to go Lexus!

LexBob2

I think the no tip is the hybrid. I saw another photo with two tips. Regular round ones, not integrated into the bumper.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

it's quite funny seeing all the replies.

when the new gs came out, a lot of people thought the car look bad / ugly.

now the new es comes out, almost all people here say the car looks handsome / beautiful.

some think people hate lexus automatically huh?

i just can't stop looking at this car. i mean, i don't see myself owning this car at all (fwd), but the car looks so good and elegant, it's just so good

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

Love the new ES! However, I'm afraid the GS 450h will suffer the most this time. I wish Lexus would just cancel the GSh and kept the V8 instead. We can argue about FWD vs RWD difference all day long, but when it comes to buying a hybrid people usually look at MPG numbers. ESh is clearly the winner here. So, I have a feeling that the majority will take the ESh instead. You may say that GSh is all about performance, I'm sorry but it is still hard to convice people to switch from V8 to high performance hybrid, at least here in the states.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Wow, this ES is an instant hit.
So far, there's hardly any complaint

Love that white interior

Yeah, lexus is bringing lots of good looking oem wheels now.

TripleL

Thanks Mike and Ryan for sharing the show pics

I like what I see both inside and out. I think the interior in particular is a very nice step up for the ES. Well done Lexus

2008ES

Hmm... just spotted this ad on the NY Auto Show website. Is the ES 350 now going to be called the 350 ES? (See attached copy of the ad). Come to think of it, ESh 300 wouldn't sound quite right.

I'm liking the new ES 350 (or 350 ES) better now, but that seam across the hood still makes my stomach churn a little bit. Visually, everything else has been well above my expectations.

__

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

lol I think someone made a mistake.... They probably meant to say 2013 ES and instead wrote 350 ES or something

Vladi

Nah GS never lost its coupe line because of headroom, it was done to appeal to BMW, Audi, MB audience. I ma glad that GS kicked off slopey roofline trend and today we have tons of cars that have the exact same line ES included.

I think new GS is a lot more sharper and more executive sedan like than previous gen. Previous gen was just like new ES too soft, I mean I love it but "executive" people didn't

GS sales numbers will suffer because of this outstanding new ES which has even better styled interior but inferior tech btw.

I would pick GS hybrid anyday over ES but again that's just me. Now can we have GS300h please!

ydooby

Could not have said it better.

I was surprised that Akio, being an enthusiast himself, said he didn't want the GS. Was hoping that of all the bean counters at Toyota he would be the one fighting to keep the GS alive. Let's hope the GS with its newly found driving dynamics can convert buyers from the Germans instead of the ES so it can stay viable.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

I'm quite sure that the greenhouse was changed to accomodate greater headroom, as that was one of the biggest compliants about the 3GS, as well as trunk space. If anything, the GS should have kept the more coupey lines and the ES should remain upright and more executive.

As much as I like the new ES, it's hard for me to get excited about it because of what it will do to GS sales.

spwolf

customers looking at 200hp FWD sedan and people looking at 340hp RWD sedan are not the same.

besides, there will be GS300h for sure. At least in the rest of the world.

Even then, ES and GS are not the same cars.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

maybe i misunderstand, but i don't see a contradiction. i don't see it as inconsistent to dislike the 4gs and like this new es. few have said the 4gs is a home run, but almost all consider this new es a home run.

exactly. and even some of the most ardent lexus fans are only luke warm to the gs.

that's true for some, but for many who just sit in traffic most of the time, an es will make a lot more sense than a gs for 15k more!

if i were in the market for a sedan, based on initial info and pics, this would be high on my list.