Lexus ES300 shapes up

THIS is it - Lexus's all-new ES300, due to go on sale here in October.

And like its humbler Camry cousin, the new Lexus dispenses with the squarish, conservative lines of the current model in favour of a more curvaceous, organic shape.

It has also grown appreciably, measuring 4854mm long (up 24mm), 1811mm wide (up 21mm) and 1456mm tall (up 61mm).

Lexus Australia media relations manager Mike Breen said the increased dimensions gave the newcomer a more imposing presence and contributed to significantly improved cabin space.

A 3.0-litre V6 engine still lurks under the bonnet, but it has been beefed up by the addition of variable valve timing.

Consequently, power and torque outputs are bumped up to 157kW at 5800rpm and 298Nm at 4400rpm, a handy improvement on the current car's outputs of 149kW at 5200rpm and 290Nm at 4400rpm.

Drivetrain upgrades include the introduction of a five-speed automatic transmission in place of the current four-speed self-shifter.

The imminent launch of the smaller, yet similarly powerful IS300 - expected to cost around $70,000 - means the ES300 will move slightly upmarket to minimise overlap.

Mr Breen confirmed the new ES300 would cost more than the current car - which is priced at $76,070 - but only by a small amount. So expect a sticker price around $80,000.

The newcomer will be unveiled at the Sydney motor show on October 12.

It will be launched to the media four days later and streams into showrooms soon after.

Whether the new ES300's styling is actually an improvement will only be known when the car is seen in the metal. But there is no question the stylists have not held back in their efforts to revamp the car's appearance.

Viewed from the side, there are some parallels with the GS300 - perhaps due to the slightly bulbous profile and BMW-like "Hoffmeister kick" in the C-pillar.

The somewhat slab-sided proportions of the car also lend it a family resemblance to the range-topping LS430 - which in turn seemed to derive its inspiration from the superseded Mercedes-Benz S-class.

But ES300's face is given an unmistakable identity by the huge, angular headlights that extend almost halfway up the bonnet.

Luxury shoot-out hots up

LEXUS sales have declined since its boom year in 1999, when it crossed 3000 sales for the first time.

The drop-off is no doubt largely due to an onslaught of newer, fresher models launched by its rivals.

Mercedes-Benz launched its all-new C-class in late 2000, while BMW waded in with the X5 off-roader and introduced new six-cylinder engines in its 3 Series and 5 Series.

The model avalanche has continued this year: Volvo launched its all-new S60 in February, VW revamped its Passat in May, Audi unveiled its new A4 last month and Mercedes-Benz has just introduced the C-class Sports Coupe and wagon.

But it doesn't end there: Jaguar's X-Type, BMW's facelifted 3 Series, Peugeot's 607 and Saab's updated 9-5 are still waiting in the wings.

Lexus is not sitting on its hands though and aims to fight back with a trio of newcomers.

First cab off the rank is the IS300, which will be launched on August 20, while the ES300 and SC430 convertible will join the line-up in October.

Lexus sales:

Year	1999	2000	2001 (half year)
IS200	1530	1498	640
ES300	481	268	129
GS300	495	327	122
LS400/430	95	114	111
LX470	487	335	120
TOTAL	3088	2542	1122