2013 Lexus ES Fuel Economy and Performance Figures, Hybrid Returns up to 40mpg [76 Photos]

We are still waiting for Lexus to price the new ES sedan, but today, the Japanese automaker released EPA estimated fuel-economy ratings and performance figures for both the 2013 ES 350 and ES 300h.

The new ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

According to Lexus, the mid-size saloon completes the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in 7.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.1 seconds, and tops out at 130mph (209km/h – electronically limited). It returns an EPA estimated 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.

By comparison, the outgoing 2012 ES 350 does 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds, the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds and achieves 19mpg city, 27mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, meaning that the new model is equally fast but more fuel efficient.

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2013 Lexus ES Sedan Talk-Around and New Promo Film

As Lexus prepares for the market launch of the new ES this summer, the Japanese company wants us to be better acquainted with the mid-size model through the release of two videos.

The first clip includes a quick 360-degree walk-around the car with Bill Camp from the Lexus College pointing out the highlights, while the second video is a promotional film showing the ES on the road.

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2013 Lexus ES Sedan Talk-Around and New Promo Film

As Lexus prepares for the market launch of the new ES this summer, the Japanese company wants us to be better acquainted with the mid-size model through the release of two videos.

The first clip includes a quick 360-degree walk-around the car with Bill Camp from the Lexus College pointing out the highlights, while the second video is a promotional film showing the ES on the road.

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Poll: Which is the Best Looking New Sedan of the New York Auto Show?

If you've been following our coverage of the 2012 New York Auto Show, you will no doubt have noticed that a significant number of automakers revealed brand new sedan offerings.

In the full-size category, we have the near-premium 2013 Acura RLX, which is somewhat misleadingly labeled as a concept study, and the mainstream 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

The mid-size segment is represented by the Fisker Atlantic showcar, which like the RLX, is more or less production ready, the 2013 Lexus ES, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, the 2013 Nissan Altima and the 2013 Toyota Avalon, which has been re-categorized as a mid-size model.

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Lexus Unveils Sleek 2013 ES 350 and ES 300h Hybrid Sedans at the New York Auto Show [Pics & Video]

Blame prior experience, but of all Lexus models, the last one you would expect to impress with its styling would be the ES, yet the Japanese automaker did precisely just that with its sixth generation mid-size sedan that was officially revealed today at the New York International Auto Show.

With the 2013 model, Lexus has turned the ES from a bland mid-size model to a sleek looking sedan, which most other carmakers today wouldn't have a problem describing it as a "four-door coupe".

Even though the new ES incorporates the brand's latest design language as seen on the 2013 GS for example, the overall result is much crispier and cleaner.

In terms of dimensions, the wheelbase of the new ES has been lengthened by 1.8 inches, while the overall length of the vehicle has grown by just one inch. Lexus promises a more spacious interior as knee room is increased by 2.8 inches and legroom by 4.1 inches. According to the company, the new design also offers additional foot room below the front seat.

The cabin itself has been designed from scratch, with the dashboard reminding us that of the new GS sedan. Among other notable features is the availability of the next-generation Lexus Enform system, a Display Audio package that adds a seven-inch screen, a backup camera, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, Bluetooth audio, phone transfer, and a vehicle information display.

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First Official Photos of the Honda Crosstour Concept, 2013 Ram 1500 and 2013 Lexus ES Leaked?

The automotive pundits over at Cheersandgears seem to have scored a hatrick of scoops publishing what they claim to be, the first official shots of the Honda Crosstour Concept, the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck and the 2013 Lexus ES sedan, all of which are set to make their world premiere at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, April 4.

Beginning with Honda's concept model, if this image is indeed real, then the Crosstour study is nothing more than a light facelift of the current model with a revised snout sporting a new chromed grille and a more rugged-looking front bumper, plus different wheels and protective black cladding all around.

The second picture allegedly shows us the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck, which looks like it gains a reshaped crosshair grille with a full-chrome treatment (at least on this edition), new headlamp fixtures, possibly featuring LED daytime running lights, and a redesigned bumper with new fog lamps.

The Chrysler Group has already revealed that the 2013 Ram 1500 will get a new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar V6 matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

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Lexus Continues to Tease 2013 ES Sedan, Asks what's This we're Seeing Here

It's always good to build some hype around the presentation of a new model, but unfortunately for Lexus, we have already had the opportunity to see its upcoming 2013 ES sedan in some very illuminating pictures sourced from China last month.

Of course, not everyone reads news on automotive websites, which is probably why Lexus posted a picture of the new ES being lifted up on a crane and asked its fans this question: "It's on a crane and under a cover. What is this masked machine?"

The best replies we found on Facebook were: "It's a car!", "It's the Honda Accord" and the "new PT Cruiser". Perhaps you can add some better / more humorous answers in the comments section below.

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Lexus Confirms World Premiere of All-New 2013 ES Sedan at New York Auto Show

We’ve been hot on the trail of the next Lexus ES for quite some time now but the wait is almost over, as the Japanese automaker has announced today that the sixth generation of its mid-size sedan will make its world debut at the upcoming 2012 New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 4.

In line with the Toyota Group's other premiere, Lexus is being secretive about the new ES and has only published a cropped image of the car's front end along with this short statement: "The sixth-generation ES model introduces a progressive new design featuring the Lexus signature spindle grille and a new dynamic driving experience".

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New 2013 Lexus ES Sedan Makes an Unexpected Appearance in China

We knew Lexus was preparing a replacement for its five-year old ES sedan, but we weren't expecting to see the actual production model making its first appearance in China – not that we're complaining.

Surprisingly, casting aside some stickers on the alloy rims and a…craftily folded newspaper to hide the instrument binnacle and the steering wheel hub, the 2013 ES is virtually camouflage free.

And while this is probably the China market version, don't expect to see any noteworthy differences over the North American model that should follow later this year.

Like its predecessors, the sixth generation of Lexus' base luxury sedan is built upon the chassis of the Toyota Camry (the 2012 model in this case) featuring its own sheetmetal and interior designs.

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More than 420,000 Toyota and Lexus Models Recalled in the States Over Steering Issue

Toyota just can't get pass its recall problems. Today, the troubled Japanese automaker issued a voluntary recall that involves approximately 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles equipped with V6 engines to replace the crankshaft pulley.

According to the company, there is a possibility that the outer ring of the engine's crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and/or trigger a warning light on the dashboard.

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In Russia, Saving a Lexus ES300 Means Drowning it… [Video]

A rescue attempt to save a Lexus ES300 that was on the verge of sinking into a lake in Russia had the opposite effect when the tow straps holding the car snapped off leading the Japanese model into the water.

We can’t confirm this, but the person who uploaded the video on Youtube says that the Lexus sedan was parked too close to the water and the driver couldn't get out.

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Lexus Presents Special Edition Version of 2012 LS 460, ES 350 and CT 200h

What's the first thing automakers do when they want to boost their sales but don't have a completely new or refresh product(s) in the pipeline? The age-old answer to that question is a special edition model.

For Lexus it's actually three new limited edition models based on the 2012 LS 460, ES 350 and CT 200h, with the first two arriving in U.S. dealerships in November, and the third next month.

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Brain...Jammed Vandals Destroy Seven New Toyota Models at 2011 Chicago Auto Show

Auto shows seem to have become risky business for car manufacturers. After the BMW 750i that was stolen at the Detroit motor show earlier this year, now more disturbing news comes from the Chicago Auto Show, where the Toyota booth attracted unwanted attention.

According to local newspapers, seven new Toyota models had their interiors vandalized by three young men, aged 20, 21 and 28. We don't know what really caused this deviant behavior, but one report attributes it to the fact that the three vandals were allegedly angry "about American jobs going overseas".

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VIDEO: Lexus Sets the Bar High, Chains Four Cars on LS in New TV Ad

In another sign that luxury automakers in the U.S. are raising the stakes -or so to speak- with their latest commercials, following Audi's recent A8 ad, Lexus has released a new TV spot as part of an advertising campaign to demonstrate how far the company goes to achieve perfection.

This particular broadcast ad is titled “Chain” and it shows a crane slowly lifting the front end of a LS, which is attached to four more Lexus models (RX, GS, ES and IS) using nothing more than cables and stretch bars. At the end of the spot, a $375,000 LFA comes into the shot and parks directly below the chain of vehicles weighing a total 21,000 pounds.

The key point here is that the commercial is real and that no special effects were used for its creation as Lexus proves in the 'Behind the Scenes" video.

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Toyota Settled an “Unintended Acceleration” Lawsuit with US$10 Million

The families of four people killed in an accident allegedly caused by the now infamous “unintended acceleration” throttle-gate, sued Toyota earlier this year and reached a settlement in September. At the time, the amount was not made public, but now, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that a lawyer representing Bob Baker Lexus of San Diego, California, a defendant in the case, has revealed that the Japanese maker agreed to pay US $10 million. Read more »