
The 2026 Lexus ES goes all-electric. Check out 5 key highlights of the novel sedan
1 Fully electric
Lexus takes a major leap forward by introducing fully electric versions of the ES for the first time. The new EV lineup consists of two models: the ES 350e with front-wheel drive and the ES 500e with all-wheel drive. Power outputs range from 221 bhp to 338 bhp, depending on the variant. On paper, range estimates go up to 685 km (CLTC rating), although real-world global figures are likely to be lower. This move aligns with Lexus' long-term electrification goals and offers a refined, zero-emission alternative in the luxury sedan segment.
2 Design
Gone is the oversized spindle grille that defined previous generations. In its place is a more refined, closed-off front fascia, echoing design elements from the futuristic LF-ZL concept car. The overall body has become sharper and more sculpted, with a slimmer silhouette that boosts aerodynamics. At the rear, new L-shaped taillights now run across the width of the car, incorporating bold 'LEXUS' lettering instead of the traditional logo.
3 Bigger inside-out
The 2026 ES is larger in every dimension—it's longer, wider, and taller than the outgoing model. More importantly, it has an extended wheelbase, which translates into significantly improved legroom and comfort, particularly for rear-seat passengers. This makes the ES more appealing for chauffeur-driven buyers, especially in markets like China and India where rear-seat comfort is a priority.
5 Suspension and drivability
Beyond luxury, the new ES promises better driving dynamics. It now features all-wheel steering, which improves agility during tight maneuvers and stability at higher speeds. Additionally, a new multi-link rear suspension setup ensures a smoother ride and more precise handling. Whether you're driving the hybrid or the electric version, the ES now offers a blend of comfort and sportiness that hasn't been seen in previous models.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India.
First Published Date:

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
ET Health Conclave 2025 celebrates excellence in healthcare with thought leadership and a felicitation ceremony
The ET Health Conclave 2025, powered by Havendaxa Pvt Ltd, co-powered by IONIC Wealth & Lexus, was held on 27 July at Grand Hyatt, Gurugram. It brought together voices from healthcare, wellness, and business to explore innovations in technology, mental well-being, natural therapies, and financial literacy. Guest of Honour Mahima Chaudhry lauded the platform for fostering impactful conversations on holistic health. The evening witnessed multiple fireside chats, panel discussions and brand presentations. Anmay Shahlot, Founder of Atovio, in his fireside chat stressed the urgency of tackling air pollution. 'India needs scalable, tech-driven air purification—our health depends on solutions, not just studies,' he said. Shaily Mehrotra, CEO & Co-Founder of Fixderma India Pvt. Ltd., spoke on India's growing skincare literacy. 'People now read labels, understand ingredients, and seek dermatologist-backed solutions,' she said. Isha Lall, holistic nutritionist and a women's wellness coach, closed the series of fireside chats, emphasising the need to embrace 'reset mode' through mindfulness. 'Detox is more than diet; it's mindset,' she said. Brand presentations spotlighted innovations in wellness travel, health-focused real estate, and next-gen healthcare. 'Wellness-first travel is essential, not luxury,' said Harvinder Singh, Co-founder & President, Namdev Travels. 'Real estate goes beyond location—it's about fostering communities where wellness, healthcare access, and quality of life truly matter' , said Himanshu Arora, Chief Sales Officer, Inframantra. 'At Havendaxa, we're redefining how India invests. By blending technology with trust, we're making premium real estate accessible to all, not just a privileged few,' added Akhilesh Sharma, Founder & CEO, Havendaxa Pvt Ltd. Live Events Spotlight Wire In the series of panel discussions, the session on artificial intelligence (AI), Robotics and Precision Medicine highlighted how technology is reshaping clinical care. 'AI empowers cardiologists with real-time insights and is useful to stop sudden Cardiac Arrest,' said Dr Amit Bhushan Sharma, Director & Unit Head, Cardiology, Paras Hospital, Gurugram. 'Robotics in surgery isn't future—it's now,' noted Dr (Brig) Satish Mishra, Chairman, Cardiac Sciences, Park Hospital, Gurgaon. 'AI in diagnostics is enhancing dental accuracy and trust,' added Dr Dheeraj Setia, Founder, The Dental Roots. The session on Genomics and Personalised Medicine: The Next Frontier emphasised the shift towards molecular-level, data-driven care. 'Genomics lets us treat the root, not the symptom,' said Dr Sushil Kotru, Chairman - CEEDO & Principal Medical Advisor, Park Hospital. 'We're moving from one-size-fits-all to gene-driven therapies,' noted Dr Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director & Chief - Hematology, Hemato Oncology & BMT, FMRI Gurgaon. 'Precision medicine is here—our task is to make it affordable,' said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director & Co-founder, Medlinks. 'Regulatory science is evolving with genomics,' added Neeraj Pant, Co-founder & Director, DDReg Pharma Pvt Ltd. 'Pharma must align with precision—data is the new molecule,' said VK Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Blue Jet Healthcare Limited. The panel on Mental Health, Stress Management and Emotional Well-being explored holistic approaches to emotional care and resilience. 'Mental health deserves mainstream visibility—we must normalise seeking help,' said Dr Mansi Bhayana. 'Hair loss, skin issues—many stem from emotional stress,' noted Dr Gaurang Krishna, Director MedLinks. 'Ayurveda is not alternative—it's original,' emphasised Lakshman Shrivastava, Director, Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital. 'Digital burnout is real—emotional hygiene must become routine,' said Dr Neil Rasal, Head, Mental Health Department, Betterway. The session on IONIC Wealth: Financial Wellness for Doctors addressed the critical yet often overlooked need for financial planning in the medical community. 'Doctors are life planners—but rarely plan their own finances. That must change,' said Dr Charu Dutt Arora, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences. 'Like doctors follow a proper protocol while treating patients, wealth managers should also follow a protocol of profiling, understanding goals & in-depth portfolio review before making a portfolio plan for a client,' noted Vishal Rakyan, Business Head HNI & Founding Member, Ionic Wealth. 'Invest like you practice—diversify, assess risk, and stick to simplicity as far as possible,' said Gaurav Aggarwal, Fund Manager, Ionic Multi Asset Strategy, Ionic Asset. The session was moderated by Abhishek Sharma, Market Lead – HNI (North). The final panel, Back to the Roots: Natural Therapies for Modern-Day Ailments, explored the resurgence of Ayurveda and hydrotherapy in urban wellness. 'Ayurveda isn't old; it's timeless. It heals from within,' said Dr Ritu Sethi, MD Ayurveda, Betterway. noted Varun Gupta, Managing Director, Acquaviva India Pvt Ltd. Spotlight Wire The ET Health Conclave 2025, powered by Havendaxa Pvt Ltd, co-powered by IONIC Wealth & Lexus, ended with a felicitation ceremony celebrating excellence in health and wellness, followed by a networking session over cocktails and dinner. Spotlight Wire Spotlight Wire Its success was made possible by the generous support of partners and sponsors who helped create a world-class platform for dialogue and collaboration. Sponsor Quotes: Parveen Singhal, CEO, Lexus New Delhi, said, 'Lexus is proud to associate with ET Health Conclave 2025, reflecting our commitment to innovation, wellness, and sustainable living. Rooted in the Japanese spirit of 'Omotenashi,' we support those shaping India's health and holistic well-being.' Tarun Seth, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, said, 'We're proud to host ET Health Conclave 2025—a platform that drives impactful dialogue on holistic health. This association reflects our commitment to community well-being and excellence in hospitality.' Ashok Singh Jaunapuria, Managing Director and CEO, SS Group, said, 'We don't just build structures, we shape lifestyles. At SS Group, every project is a step towards creating communities that people are proud to belong to.' Raman Prabhakar, Founder at Health Fields, said, 'The ET Health Conclave brought together voices shaping the future of wellness. At Health Fields, we believe preventive health starts with mindful habits—clean eating, active living, and awareness of what fuels the body.' Abhishek, Founder, said, 'At GOODVEDA, we believe wellness begins with thoughtful choices. Partnering with ET Health Conclave aligns with our mission to make everyday wellness accessible, mindful, and deeply rooted in nature.' Sponsor List: Powered By: Havendaxa Pvt Ltd Co-Powered By: IONIC Wealth Co-Powered By: Lexus Hospitality Partner: Grand Hyatt Associate Partner: Inframantra Associate Partner: Health Fields Skincare Partner: Fixderma Pvt Ltd Fleet Partner: Namdev Travels Mixer Partner: Jimmy's Pouring Partner: Miller OOH Partner: Heights Celebration Partner: Sangam & Jaisalmer Wellness Partner: GOODVEDA Realty Partner: SS Group Communication Partner: Teamology Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.


Mint
16-07-2025
- Mint
Nidec Builds Made-in-China EV Motor to Help Toyota Catch Rivals
Japan's Nidec Corp. is building an almost totally 'made-in-China' electric car motor to help Toyota Motor Corp. compete in the world's largest auto market, according to Chief Executive Officer Mitsuya Kishida. About 99% of the materials and parts in the E-axle motor are from China, said Nidec president Kishida. Building the integrated motor was 'incredibly tough,' he said in an interview last week. Nidec began supplying the motor for Toyota's electric bZ3X sport utility vehicle, which went on sale in March from about 110,000 yuan , and has sold about 20,000 units so far, according to a Toyota spokesperson. The car — the first Toyota vehicle to use this motor — is part of the company's push to turn around its fate in the world's No. 2 economy, as Chinese carmakers capture market share from global rivals. Using mostly Chinese parts allows the company to cut costs and helps reduce the price of the final car, which is necessary to compete in the Asian nation's ultra-competitive auto market. The new motor is also aimed at reviving the fortunes of fellow Japanese company Nidec, whose poor profitability and falling stock price are fueling investor discontent. Over the past five decades, the precision-motor manufacturer had sought growth through acquisitions, buying 75 companies and running about 250 factories, said Kishida, who earlier this year announced a restructure after taking the top job in 2024. 'Before we seek large growth in revenue we have to get our current business under control and get a more efficient structure,' he said at the opening of a new factory in Qingdao, northern China. The plant — which makes motors, compressors and electronics for home appliances — is an example of that, combining two older facilities from different business units in a new $100 million manufacturing hub. That restructuring may include selling some businesses, Kishida said, adding this would improve the image of the company for shareholders and hopefully boost the stock price. The Qingdao investment is a rare example of a Japanese company adding substantially to its presence in China, at a time when many others are cutting back as the nation's economic growth slows and global trade tensions rise. Net new Japanese investment into China was up about 3% in the first five months of this year, after rising about 6% last year, according to data from Japan's Ministry of Finance. Toyota is another firm bucking that trend, announcing a new factory in Shanghai for its Lexus brand in April, with that investment reported at around $2 billion. Kishida expressed confidence Nidec could also cooperate on that project, noting the company already supplies various other car parts to Toyota. With assistance from Yuki Furukawa, Masatsugu Horie and Nicholas Takahashi.


Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
Despite tariffs, it's still America first for Asia's legacy automakers
Toyota and Hyundai Motor may have a beef with U.S. protectionism, but they have one thing in common with President Donald Trump: when it comes to global car markets, it's America first for Asia's legacy automakers. Trump's tariffs on imported automobiles have upended the outlook for the global industry, yet the U.S. remains by far the most important market for Japan's Toyota, South Korea's Hyundai and Asian rivals including Honda and Nissan. North America accounts for at least 40% of the revenue at both Toyota and Hyundai, filings show. The market's importance is unlikely to change any time soon, industry insiders and analysts said, especially with China, now the world's biggest auto market, dominated by homegrown electric vehicle makers such as BYD. Those Asian legacy carmakers with more robust margins and a strong hybrid lineup - such as Toyota, Hyundai, Kia Corp and to a lesser extent Honda - are more likely able to weather the U.S. tariffs storm, and potentially take market share from weaker players like Nissan, analysts said. "The environment that we're in now is becoming increasingly harsh and uncertain, starting with U.S. tariffs," Mazda executive officer Noriyuki Takimura told reporters at an event in Tokyo last week. Mazda aims to strike a balance between "defensive" measures like cost-cuts and "offensive" ones like strengthening its product lineup, he said. Two Hyundai insiders and two Japanese auto executives separately told Reuters they had no intention of downsizing their U.S. businesses in response to tariffs, even as they acknowledged the difficulties ahead. All four spoke on condition of anonymity. The U.S. is Toyota's biggest market in terms of vehicles. It sold 2.3 million vehicles there in 2024, including its Lexus brand, accounting for more than a fifth of its global total. As a source of revenue, North America was second only to Japan in the last financial year. Hyundai's North American revenue was the highest in almost a decade last year. Kim Chang-ho, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, estimated it generates around 60% of its profits from the U.S., thanks to higher vehicle prices. Mocked in the U.S. in the 1980s for its perceived shoddy quality, Hyundai doubled down there around a decade ago, especially after tensions between Beijing and Seoul and the rise of domestic EV makers saw it start to lose ground in China. "After years of putting in effort, our brand is finally gaining recognition in the United States," one of the Hyundai insiders said. "So we will not take our hands off the U.S." Game of chicken The U.S. has seen a surge in demand for hybrids as consumers have become more concerned about the battery range, price and charging hassles of EVs. Fuel-efficient models such as hybrids will be a key driver to gaining market share, said Morningstar analyst Vincent Sun. Toyota, Hyundai and Kia have particularly strong hybrid offerings. So far, most legacy Asian automakers have avoided raising prices in the U.S. and stronger players are likely to continue to hold off doing so, despite lower profitability, analysts said. Instead, the focus will likely be on taking market share from lower-margin rivals like Nissan and Stellantis, analysts said. 'It will shape up like a game of chicken," said Kim Sung-rae, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities. "Those who will hold up well will emerge as winners.' Over time, tariffs could be a catalyst to help drive consolidation in the industry, or at least deepen existing tie-ups. Investors wonder if tariffs could push Nissan to revive merger talks with Honda that fell apart this year. Mazda, which is 5.1% owned by Toyota, and Subaru, which is 21% owned by Toyota, could become more reliant on the bigger company. More investment? While Hyundai and Kia have three U.S. factories, they still import about two-thirds of the vehicles sold there. Toyota manufactured 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, equal to 54% of the vehicles it sold there. Japanese automakers have invested more than $66 billion in U.S. manufacturing since the 1980s, building some two dozen plants, according to the JAMA auto lobby group. At a White House event attended by Trump in March, Hyundai announced a $21 billion investment plan, including a new steel factory, and a plan to boost U.S. production capacity to 1.2 million vehicles a year. The tariffs are likely to encourage Japanese and South Korean automakers to invest more into expanding production capacity and localising supply chains to protect their positions, said Justinas Liuima of research firm Euromonitor International. They will also continue to benefit from one aspect of U.S. protectionism: higher tariffs on Chinese EVs, which means they don't face the same Chinese competition in the U.S. that they do in emerging Asian markets, Liuima said. China ships very few cars to the United States, which imposed a 100% tariff on imported Chinese EVs under the previous administration of President Joe Biden. One of the Japanese executives said it wasn't a matter of simply boosting U.S. production, as high costs, especially of labour, would also weigh on profitability. "It is really a game-changer," Julie Boote, analyst at Pelham Smithers Associates in London, said about the potential longer-term tariff impact. Some automakers have held off giving guidance that takes into account tariffs for the full year, meaning investors may be in store for a rude awakening as companies adjust forecasts as they report quarterly earnings, she said. "There's lots of talk that it's already priced in. I don't really think it is."