Hybrid cars seem to be making waves in the present with all the talk focused on their low fuel reserves and carbon emissions. Toyota’s Prius, the first mass produced hybrid, has set the bar high for hybrid vehicles with the United State’s EPA and CARB rating it among the cleanest cars to hit American roads. Now, the Japanese automaker is working on its luxury Lexus marque to produce the 2013 ES 300h, a hybrid version of its H1 segment.
Toyota seems eager to head the race to produce hybrid and eco friendly cars. With the Lexus ES, the automaker will no doubt further its reputation as being a brand that cares for the environment. No proper technical details have been released about the ES despite it being unveiled at the recent New York Auto Show. What we do know is that the hybrid sedan weighs 1,660kg, 50kg more than its petrol variant, and measures 4.89 meters in length, 1.82 meters in width and 1.45 meters in height.
The ES runs on a 2.5 liter Atkinson cycle petrol engine and delivers a very satisfying 40mpg or 5.8 liters per 100km. Users can choose from four driving modes of Normal, Sport, EV and Eco. The car incorporates the company’s latest design language to look sleek and sophisticated and sports daytime LED lights and an all new Lexus spindle grille. The lengthened wheelbase offers occupants more leg room.
The interior sports a more luxurious look with a 7 inch LCD display, a Remote Touch Interface controller in the center console next to the gearshift, bluetooth audio, backup camera and vehicle info display. Customers can choose from premium semi aniline leather seats or a leather alternative, NuLuxe. New ES models of 2013, including the petrol driven ES350, will offer a one year subscription to the company’s OnStar like Enform services, attendant applications and Safety connect.
