Lexus will be making an entry into India on 24th
March. The most affordable product on offering shall be the new Lexus ES300h,
this will be a sedan.
Lexus ES300h will be launched on 24th of March. This
will be the time when the brand will be launched in India with two other
products. Some of the assigned Lexus dealerships will be functional in March.
These dealerships have already started taking bookings for the products. There
are rumours that some of the customers shall be getting their vehicles on the
day or just after the launch too.
Lexus will taking the
CBU route for India, at least to begin with. Hence, the sedan will be expensive
than its competition. Lexus dealerships are offering bookings at INR 15 lakhs.
One powertrain is available in the 2017 ES 300h, a 2.5-liter I-4 coupled to an
electric motor with a total system output of 200 hp. An electronic continuously
variable transmission (eCVT) is the only gearbox available. The EPA has yet to
release the fuel economy rating for the 2017 model, but the 2016 was rated at
40/39 mpg city/highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient luxury sedans
available today.
Due to the additional hybrid powertrain components,
the ES 300h has less cargo space than the gas-only ES 350, at 12.1 cubic feet.
Split-folding rear seats aren’t available on any model in the Lexus ES lineup.
Available options include a navigation system with mouse-like controls, the
Lexus Enform suite of apps, a 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system,
Bluetooth, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless
entry/start, a rearview camera, and LED headlights.
The new-generation Lexus sedans look sharp and the
ES is no different. The massive front grille will grab your attention. The
grille extends to the bumper and gets a chrome surround. At the same time, the
headlamps are well chiselled and have an intriguing design. The entire fascia
looks sporty than just subtle, which is the case with most of the Germans. From
the side, the sedan looks long and has a coupe like sporty back. The sloping
roof melds well with the stylish front.
The ES300h has premium interior styling. Where it
differs is the styling is different from the three Germans. This instrument
panel design is fresh and will be a good welcome for buyers. The design is
sporty and it does stand out. At the same time, the ES300h gets all the
features that the German competition offers.