Shanghai show: Lexus teases facelifted ES

LEXUS has released a teaser shot of its refreshed ES sedan, due to be unveiled during next week's Shanghai motor show and released locally later in the year.

Although the image reveals very little about the car, the shot shows a new headlight design, with boomerang-style daytime running lights, and what appears to be a more prominent spindle grille, making for a sharper front fascia.

The new ES is expected to bring the mildly styled mid-size sedan closer in line with recent Lexus releases, the RC and NX, meaning updated styling, equipment and infotainment.

According to Lexus, the new ES will “maintain the model line's elegance while conveying a more dynamic and luxurious experience.”

Lexus currently offers its ES with either an electric assisted 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder or a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, both paired a six-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The hybrid ES300h returns fuel economy figures of 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres, whereas the petrol-only ES350 drinks 9.5l/100km.

The mid-size sedan starts at $60,500, before on-road costs, for the hybrid powertrain and $62,000 for the V6, placing it above the IS but below the GS sedans.

Sales of the ES sedan have been steady, with 117 units shifted in the first quarter of 2015, well behind its IS steblemate that sold 482 in the same period, and trailing the over $60,000 mid-size segment leaders, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2583) and BMW 3 Series (919).

Last year Lexus sold 667 ES sedans in 2014, its first full year on sale after being reintroduced to the Australian market in November 2013.