Lexus hopes to grow sales dramatically this year with a new generation of products that come with the high level of quality and craftsmanship that its customers expect, but also with more drama in the way they look and drive.

While a large number of Lexus sales come from the RX sport-utility models, another top seller for the company over the years has been the ES sedan, with the latest model being officially launched in the United States recently.

The ES is scheduled for launch in Thailand later this year, and several Thai journalists were invited to participate in the global dynamic press launch of the new model last week in Nashville.

Models offered for driving impressions were the ES 250, ES 300h (hybrid) and ES 350. But according to Lexus marketing, only the hybrid will be offered in the Thai market, and the retail pricing will be announced at the launch.

The ES has been in the Lexus model range for ages (30 years to be exact) and this is the seventh-generation model in the line.

While the ES is well-known for offering excellent ride comfort and super-quiet cabin, what Lexus engineers wanted to do with the new model was to not only better those qualities, but also give it an emotional design and a higher level of driving enjoyment.

At the same time, the new model is also longer (65mm), wider (45mm) and lower (-5mm) than the outgoing one. Architecturally, this enables engineers to increase the wheelbase by 50mm, and move the wheels closer to the corners – the track widths have also been increased (10mm front and 30mm rear).

The result is a stance that appears much sportier than previous ES models, and with the elegant and bold exterior design (look at the size of that spindle grill) the new ES is a car that catches attention. The chief designer sums up the new design as “provocative elegance”.

I pretty much agree. The previous ES models weren’t exactly exciting to look at – they were more on the clean and graceful side of the spectrum, something that housewives would approve of and drive.

Lexus says the essence of the new characteristics are derived from the new GA-K (Global Architecture-K) platform. I think that while the general customer group for the ES is age 40 years and above, the new design will surely appeal to some younger customers as well.

Being a Lexus, L-shaped designs are to be found around the vehicle, particularly in the headlight and tail-light sections. The side profile maintains a strong resemblance to the previous model, but gets stronger highlights.

The GA-K platform is also responsible for the improved handling of the new ES. While the excellent ride quality remains, a highly-rigid front-wheel-drive chassis that uses increased laser welding plus adhesives gives the car dramatically increased rigidity compared to its predecessor. There are all sorts of braces used too, and all these details put the Lexus models above lower-end Toyotas that might share the same basic structural platform.

Another plus is lower road noise – as much as 96 per cent of the floorpan is covered with sound deadening material along with other insulation.

With the new suspension, the ES delivers a surprising level of nimbleness for a Lexus this size, showing off some good body control during quick directional changes. Meanwhile, the well-weighted steering offers a good level of precision on winding Tennessee roads where the driving event was held.

As mentioned, Thailand gets the hybrid, which boasts an average fuel economy of 22.7km/litre. The ES 300h features the latest fourth-generation Toyota hybrid system with a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine mated to a new motor and hybrid transaxle. According to Lexus, the total package delivers more than 215hp of output.

The new ES hybrid still isn’t a plug-in, and still uses a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, which is cheaper than lithium-ion types used by other luxury brands. The pack has been relocated to under the rear seat to increase luggage space (473 litres) and improve front/rear weight distribution.

I really didn’t get a chance to speed much in the US, with maximum legal speed set at 55mph. Nevertheless, from low speeds, it was easy to feel the linear acceleration provided by the hybrid drive system. The front-wheel-driven ES comes with all the hybrid benefits, including a pure EV mode, although there are disadvantages too, such as the noisy Atkinson engine (thankfully the cabin is well-protected from that rattle) and noises from the hybrid system that owners will have to get used to.

The interior borrows some elements from the new LS sedan and blends it with the ES theme, resulting in an exciting-looking interior (that can appear a little messy though). Apart from striking upholstery colours such as Chateau and Topaz Brown that really lights up the interior, you also get headup display and a large display screen along with a 7-inch LCD instrument panel.

The larger dimensions directly give the cabin more space both front and rear. Rear passengers enjoy plenty of legroom (about the same as the LS) and personal air vents for maximum comfort.

The Thailand-bound model gets a Pioneer infotainment system and it is unfortunate that the Mark Levinson option is not on offer as it would drive up retail pricing considerably as the car is imported as a CBU. Nevertheless, read the Mark Levinson review featured below.

Lexus has been present in the Thai market for many years, but has never really caught up with the major players such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Lacking the local production of the German cars, Lexus suffers from a high import duty. In other markets, particularly the US, the new ES would be a worthy challenger with the super-strong popularity of the Lexus in that part of the world.

For potential ES customers in Thailand though, the message is clear. The new ES will offer you the expected elegance, comfort and quality. But this time around, be ready for a small surprise in terms of styling and driving dynamics as the new ES has got some grunt in it as well.

Lexus ES 300h Specs

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve VVT-iE and VVt-i

Displacement: 2,487cc

Bore and stroke: 87.5 x 103.4mm

Compression ratio: 14.0:1

Max power: 178ps/5,700rpm

Max torque: 221Nm/3,600-5,200rpm

Motor type: permanent magnet

Max output: 120ps

Max torque: 202Nm

Total system output: 218ps

Transmission: electronic continuously variable transmission

Motor reduction ratio: 3.389

Differential gear ratio: 3.389

Battery type: nickel metal hydride

Nominal voltage: 244.8V

Battery cells: 204

0-100kmh: 8.9 secs

Top speed: 180 km/h

Average fuel economy: 22.7km/litre

Average CO2: 102g/km

Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, stabiliser/multi-link, stabiliser

Steering: electrically-powered rack-and-pinion

Turning circle: 11.8 metres

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/disc

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,975

Width: 1,865

Height: 1,445

Wheelbase: 2,870

Track (f/r): 1,590/1,610

Weight: approx. 1,680-1,740kgs

Wheels: 18-in alloy

Tires: 235/45R18

Fuel tank capacity: 50 litres

Price: n/a

Distributor: Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd

Christian Wiedmann, group president, said: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of BMW ConnectedDrive, and we are ceaselessly driving forward our international standing as a pioneer in the field of digital development.

“Our seamless services are designed to redefine the very concept of mobility in a way that best benefits the customer.”

The firm said its BMW Connected app currently has more than 2.3 million users and over 10 million connected BMW vehicles in 45 countries.

“With the launch of new features for BMW ConnectedDrive in Thailand, we are driving forward the transformation of the automotive mobility in the country,” Wiedmann said.

No one was in the patrol car when the collision took place in the late morning, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a message posted along with photos on Twitter.

“When using Autopilot, drivers are continuously reminded of their responsibility to keep their hands on the wheel and maintain control of the vehicle at all times,” a Tesla spokeswoman said in response to an AFP inquiry.

“Tesla has always been clear that Autopilot doesn’t make the car impervious to all accidents.”

Responses to the police department Twitter post ranged from thoughtful analysis of the accident to mistrust of self-driving cars.

“For automation to learn from mistakes, their developers need to admit making them,” read a comment tweeted from the account of @SafeSelfDrive.

“Human error behind the wheel has been replaced with human error behind keyboard.”

Tesla chief Elon Musk complained in a recent earnings call that accidents involving self-driving cars get sensational headlines while the potential for the technology to save lives is downplayed or ignored.

Whether an Autopilot feature was engaged when a Model S collided with the rear of a stopped fire truck in the US state of Utah on May 11 remained to be confirmed.

According to local media, police said the woman at the wheel of the car claimed it was in a self-driving mode and that her attention was on her phone.

“It’s super messed up that a Tesla crash resulting in a broken ankle is front page news and the (approximately) 40,000 people who died in US auto accidents alone in past year get almost no coverage,” Musk said in a tweet in mid-May.

“What’s actually amazing about this accident is that a Model S hit a fire truck at 60mph (96 kmh) and the driver only broke an ankle.”

Among accidents to make headlines was a fiery March crash in California that involved its “Autopilot” feature.

The US National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident, which led to the death of a 38-year-old father of two, Walter Huang.

Huang’s hands were “not detected on the wheel for six seconds prior to the collision,” Tesla said in a blog post.

Uber put a temporary halt to its self-driving car program in the US after a March accident in Arizona that resulted in the death of woman pushing a bicycle in a street.

Harley-Davidson’s dealership in Ubon Ratchathani is the latest Harley showroom and service centre in Thailand.

It is operated by US Motorbike, a subsidiary of Master Group Corp (MGC-Asia), and gives Harley a total of nine dealers in the country.

The company announced last year that it was building an assembly plant in Rayong province in a move to expand its presence in the Asia Pacific region.

Nissan is the only major Japanese auto producer to not offer a PPV (Pickup Passenger Vehicle) in Thailand, despite using the country as the production base for its Navara 1-ton pickup truck.

But the good news is that after years of declining the chance to offer one, Nissan has finally decided to design and produce a PPV based on the Navara – the Terra.

Unfortunately, the Terra isn’t made in Thailand at the moment, with the first model being launched in China. Nissan Motor Thailand president Antoine Barthes told Thai media earlier this month that the Terra will be officially introduced later this year, and will play an important part in helping Nissan increase sales here, along with the Leaf EV, which is also yet to be launched despite the announcement being made over six months ago.

So for now, Nissan’s top model from its Navara platform is the Double Cab 4WD VL priced at Bt1.09 million.

For the 2018 model year, Nissan has upgraded the Navara lineup with the addition of an all-around view monitor system with tiny screens embedded within the rearview mirror. The picture quality and graphics are good, and it’s easy to flick your eyes to that area, but the screen is pretty small and is no match for larger console-mounted monitors.

The Navara is Nissan’s 12th-generation pickup (the company has been producing pickup trucks for a very long time and was even the market leader in Thailand during the 1970s). But since the launch of the current generation in 2014, the Navara had never really made its presence felt in the Thai market, managing to claim less than a 5-per-cent share in the Thai 1-ton pickup market this year.

From my point of view, the sales performance of the Navara doesn’t really reflect what the truck has to offer. After driving it for a few days, I started to like the Navara for many reasons.

Nissan engineers have put a lot of thought into the interior, which offers a good level of comfort and space, while the quality of the materials (or even the upholstery stitching) reminds you of passenger cars rather than pickups. The top model I drove came with a total of seven airbags (including a driver knee airbag).

The 190-hp 2.5-litre turbo diesel provides the Navara with 450Nm of torque, giving it plenty of pulling power. Just feed the gas and the 7-speed automatic transmission takes care of picking the best shift points.

There is a shift-on-the-fly function for the 4-wheel-drive system transfer case, allowing drivers to select 2- and 4-wheel-drive without having to stop the vehicle. A limited slip differential (LSD) helps maximise off-road capability, while Hill Start Assist (HAC) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) helps lower drama when going up or down steep inclines.

On the road, the Navara offers decent handling with a good degree of maneuverability, considering it is a 2-ton truck. The steering is beefy and precise for pickup standards (thanks to the double-wishbone front suspension and stabiliser), and the ride is really smooth despite using leaf springs at the rear.

The surprise came when driving over really poor roads with multiple potholes and large cracks, as the Navara’s suspension not only absorbed the shocks and vibrations effectively, but also very quietly. I was expecting loud noises from underneath the Navara, but it exceeded my expectations.

There is bad news, unfortunately.

While the retail pricing of the Navara Double Cab 4×4 VL was below the Bt1 million mark when

it was first launched (Bt996,000) four years ago, it has climbed over the fence and now costs Bt1.09 million (approximately 10 per cent higher).

With the Terra scheduled for a launch soon, potential double-cab buyers might also find themselves looking at the PPV too, if the price gap isn’t too wide.

Nissan Navara Double Cab 4×4

Engine: 4-cylinder

DOHC 16-valve: VGS Turbo Intercooler

Displacement: 2,488cc

Bore and stroke: 89x100mm

Compression ratio: 15:1

Max power: 190hp/3,600rpm

Max torque: 450Nm/2,000rpm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic

Ratios: 4.887/3.170/2.027/1.4102/1.000/0.864/0.775

Final drive ratio: 3.357

Suspension (f/r): double wishbone, stabiliser bar/multi-leaf springs, shock absorbers

Steering: power rack-and-pinion

Turning circle: 12.4 metres

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/drum

Length: 5,255mm

Width: 1,850mm

Height: 1,820mm

Wheelbase: 3.150mm

Track (f/r): 1,570/1,570

Weight: 1,960kg

Wheels: 18×7 alloys

Tyres: 255/60R18

Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres

Price: Bt1.09 million

Distributor: Nissan Motor Thailand

Of those, 29,888 were cars while 49,318 were commercial vehicles, an increase of 30.6 per cent compared to the corresponding month last year.

Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont, executive vice president at Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd, said auto companies participating in the Bangkok International Motor Show that ended in early April launched a large number of new models and sales promotions.

“The new models introduced gained popularity, while other contributing factors include improvements in Thailand’s exports and agricultural product prices,” he said.

Meanwhile from January to April, auto sales in the kingdom reached 316,299 vehicles, growing by 15.5 per cent.

The car market expanded by 13.3 per cent during this period, Vudhigorn said, while commercial vehicles experienced a 16.9-per-cent growth.

“Thailand’s economy has seen improvement both in exports and tourism, and the large number of new automobile models plus sales promotions from the start of the year has served as contributing factors to the market growth,” he added.

Vudhigorn said auto sales in May are expected to continue rising.

According to Vudhigorn, Thailand’s economy is improving continuously, while automakers and finance companies are offering attractive sales packages that help consumers make quicker purchase decisions.

“And although part of the consumer groups are concerned about the political situation in Thailand and overseas, there has been little effect on the automobile market,” he said.

During the first four months of 2018, Toyota was the top-selling brand with an aggregate of 87,502 vehicles, an increase of 14.2 per cent, followed by rivals Isuzu and Honda with 59,080 and 38,869 respectively.

While Toyota also leads the car market with four-month sales of 33,463 vehicles, up 8.7 per cent, it has yet to catch up with Isuzu in the commercial vehicle market. From January to April, Isuzu sold 59,080 commercial vehicles, marking a 9.8-per-cent growth.

Toyota, enjoying a 17.9-per-cent growth during this period, trails by more than 5,000 vehicles with 54,039 sales.

The AAS Body and Paint Centre of Excellence, a 2,500sqm plant with 50 mechanics on Vibhavadee-Rangsit Road near Don Muang International Airport, is now authorised to service Porsche, Bentley, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, company executives said.

The centre specialises in aluminium, carbon fibre and steel body repairs, and also features a modern paint shop, plus the latest diagnostics equipment.

The other two models tested since March, the Toyota Rush and Hyundai IONIC Hybrid, also earned five-star crash ratings.

The assessment looks at adult and child safety, impacts from all directions and other safety features.

Limited to only 100 vehicles, the H1 Touring also features leather upholstery and 16-inch “hyper-silver” alloy wheels.

The price has been set at Bt1.349 million.

Stating only that the Leaf will be launched “within fiscal year 2018” (ending in March next year), Nissan has already exhibited its latest electric vehicle (EV) at two major motor shows – the Thailand International Motor Expo in December last year and the Bangkok International Motor Show last month.

Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co Ltd (NMT) president Antoine Barthes told Thai media at the company’s mid-term press conference yesterday that Nissan is trying to educate not only its own customers but also the general public about the EV technology and lifestyle, before the official market launch of the Leaf.

Asked whether Nissan is waiting for the right timing and market environment, Barthes agreed, saying that Nissan has been working hard in educating the public about EVs at the two motor shows. The company has received a promising response from prospective customers, he said.

He said many Thai consumers are willing to purchase an EV, even at higher retail costs than comparative models running on traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs).

“According to a regional survey on EVs by Frost and Sullivan that includes Thailand, as much as 44 per cent of Thais interviewed said they are willing to consider purchasing an EV even if the retail price is 50 per cent higher than conventional ICE vehicles,” he said.

Nissan is working hard to grow its market share in Thailand, after being knocked from the No 3 position by Mazda – a much smaller automaker that has enjoyed tremendous growth in recent years thanks to highly attractive products – in the passenger car market.

But after being lambasted by Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi chairman Carlos Ghosn during a visit to Thailand in April last year as being “not good enough” in its performance, NMT lost little time in clawing back 1.3 percentage points of market share to finish 2017 with a 6.9 per cent share.

Barthes said that in the mid term, Nissan wants to raise its market share to figures in the double digits.

Significant growth is expected later this year with the planned introduction of the Terra, a PPV (pickup passenger vehicle) based on the Navara 1-ton pickup truck. Nissan and Mazda were the only major pickup producers in Thailand to not offer a PPV model, and over the years its executives had always denied any plans to build one.

But the Terra project has finally come to life, with the PPV launched in China this year. Thailand, already the global production centre of the Navara, automatically qualifies as a production and export site of the Terra.

Production of the Terra is expected to help drive up Nissan’s total output in Thailand. Barthes said Nissan will increase its production in Thailand this year by 23 per cent, but did not specify from which model range.

Barthes said Nissan expects the Thai auto market to grow at an average of 5 per cent a year over the next five years, with 950,000 vehicles to be sold in fiscal 2018 (April 2018 to March 2019).