Saar: It will make its global debut at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show, which will open its gates to the media on April 25.

Just to be clear, Lexus hasn’t mentioned that it is the refreshed ES that will make its global debut later this month. But the Japanese carmaker did mention, “More than just a pretty face, this all-new Lexus vehicle aims to radically transform the concept of comfort for luxury consumers all over the world. Witness its global debut in Beijing on April 25, 2018.” Noted, Lexus!

A few days ago, the internet was washed with a spy pic of the 2019 Lexus ES sedan. While that pic gave us a clue of what Lexus has done to the headlamp enclosures, the official teaser has its focus on the huge spindle grille. It looks like the face of a shrunken Lexus LS. And why not? That’s the design norm of every carmaker these days. The design lingo is simple – make something distinctive and then scale up or down to paste it across the product portfolio.

Leaked Image Courtesy: Almuraba

Anyway, back to the Lexus. The current ES was launched in 2016 and hence this one, in all probability, is the facelift. Apart from the amplified in-your-face grille, the refreshed ES is also expected to feature redesigned front and rear bumpers, a more radical headlamp design which will also be reminiscent of its bigger sibling and a new set of alloy wheels. The story inside the cabin is likely to be on the similar lines. Expect an updated dashboard design, new upholstery and a couple of extra gadgets thrown in.

The Lexus ES was on the three models that Lexus began its Indian innings with. The company chose to launch it with just a single powertrain option – a hybrid. The nomenclature reads 300h and it is expected to remain unchanged with the refreshed model too. In the hybrid powertrain department, we don’t expect any changes. That means, the facelift will be powered by the same 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine, mated to an electric motor. The total power output is rated at 205PS/215Nm. Transmission duties will be handled by an e-CVT unit. For the uninitiated, it is the same powertrain/transmission setup that is found in the Toyota Camry Hybrid as well.

Lexus ES 300h – Pre-Facelift

After unwrapping the ES in China later this month, expect Lexus to waste no time in launching in markets where all its products are exported from Japan. No points for guessing, India is one of them. Lexus in India has an advantage over its main rivals from Europe. None of them has a hybrid powertrain to offer in any of their sedans or SUVs. The Volvo XC90 T8 Excellence is the only exception as of now.