2002 Lexus ES 300 Offers New Levels of Luxury at the Current Price

    TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 21 When the all-new Lexus ES 300
arrives at dealerships Monday, Sept. 24, it will introduce class-leading
luxury, but retain the price of the previous-generation ES 300.  The
2002 ES 300 will have a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $31,505, with
a delivery, processing and handling fee of $575.

    The third-generation ES 300 features an emotional, contemporary design,
combined with more responsive driving pleasure and greater room than its
predecessor, making it a more alluring package for a broader range of buyers.
In many ways, the new ES 300 more closely aligns with the LS 430 flagship
model.

    Targeting its second model in this segment, the rear-wheel drive IS 300,
at more sport-oriented drivers allowed Lexus to increase the luxurious
character of the ES 300.  Powertrain and chassis refinements make the new
ES 300 a more engaging car to drive than before.

    The ES 300 design exudes luxury in subtle ways, such as the sculpted hood
lines, combination headlight clusters and dynamic surface tension.  Body gaps
made even narrower than before give the ES 300 the trademark Lexus precision
appearance.

    Roomier, Quieter

    A longer wheelbase (107.1 in. vs. 105.1 in.) and increased height
(57.3 in. vs. 54.9 in.) provide greater passenger room than the previous
ES 300.  A flat underbody, reshaped mirrors, and other exterior refinements
contribute to the low 0.28 coefficient of drag and help reduce wind noise even
further than before.

    Using more sound absorption technology than sound insulation gives the
2002 ES 300 an even quieter cabin than its predecessor.  The new material
absorbs noise rather than simply blocking it.  As in the previous model, an
active engine mount helps cancel out vibration with every power stroke.  New
engine mounts further reduce vibration at idle, and a two-stage muffler
reduces exhaust "booming" at low speeds.

    Raising the Safety Quotient

    The ES 300 safety package starts with a redesigned unibody with new crush
structures and passenger compartment reinforcements.  The A-pillars extend all
the way up and along the length of the roof-line, and new connection
techniques bolster the strength of the roof structure and side sills.  A
strong dual-thickness B-pillar and efficient cross-car floorpan reinforcements
help provide the ES 300 with inherently high side impact strength.
Additionally, whiplash injury lessening (WIL) front seats are standard.

    As in the LS 430, the Supplemental Restraint System includes new side
curtain airbags that augment the dual front airbags and front seat-mounted
side airbags.  The side curtain airbags extend from the A-pillar to C-pillar
to help provide protection for the head and upper body in a side impact.  New
multi-stage front airbags are designed to deploy according to impact force.
The driver's front airbag includes an extra low deployment stage designed to
deploy when a smaller-size person is driving, as detected by the position of
the seat on the seat track.

    Standard active safety technology in the 2002 ES 300 includes anti-lock
brakes (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), which monitors all
four wheels for lock-up, and daytime running lights.  The optional Vehicle
Skid Control (VSC) system integrates ABS, EBD, electronic traction control
(TRAC) and the advanced Brake Assist feature.  VSC helps control lateral
traction while cornering on slippery or dry road surfaces by using throttle
intervention and/or applying individual wheel braking to help control any
discrepancy between where the driver is steering and where the vehicle is
heading.  Brake Assist can determine an emergency-braking situation, and, if
the driver has not stepped hard enough on the brake pedal to engage the ABS,
the system applies maximum braking power until the pedal pressure is released.

    Enhanced Handling, Smoother Ride

    As it did for the LS 430, Lexus refined the ES 300 suspension tuning to
provide a more engaging driving experience, yet with even greater ride
smoothness.  The four-wheel independent suspension is mounted to
anti-vibration subframes, now with greater rigidity for tighter handling.

    The optional Adaptive Variable Suspension system (AVS) is a feature
generally seen in LS 430 competitors, not the entry-luxury segment.  AVS
enhances ride quality by continuously changing each wheel's shock absorber
damping rate in response to road surface conditions, vehicle speed, steering
and braking inputs, and even vertical vehicle movement.  The driver can choose
between Comfort and Sport modes, or an intermediate setting.  Improvements to
the system for 2002 yield better road and steering feel and quicker turn-in
response.

    The standard 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 tires are larger than
the previous optional tires.  Larger front discs with dual-piston calipers and
other system refinements improve braking performance.

    Effortless Performance, Improved Efficiency

    The aluminum 3.0-liter double-overhead cam V6 engine that powers the
ES 300 produces 210 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 220 lb.-ft. of peak torque at
4,400 rpm.  For 2002, this smooth and responsive powerplant is teamed with a
new five-speed electronic automatic transmission that helps to enhance
performance, driving smoothness and fuel efficiency.

    Other powertrain enhancements, including a new electronic throttle ("drive
by wire"), improve both response and environmental compatibility for 2002.
The 2002 ES 300 has achieved an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV)
certification and EPA fuel mileage ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on
the highway, versus 19/26-mpg ratings for the 2001 model.

    The ES 300 V6 produces a wide torque curve for quick response at virtually
any speed.  Continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) helps
eliminate the compromise between low-end torque and high-rpm horsepower, and a
three-stage variable intake optimizes breathing to enhance torque.  With five
ratios instead of the previous four, the new transmission makes better use of
the engine's wide torque curve.  Refinements to the torque converter and
electronic controls help make gear changes even smoother than on the previous
model.  The transmission responds to road grades, delaying upshifts to sustain
power on inclines and holding a lower gear for engine braking on descents.

    Flagship-Style Luxury

    Lexus infused the ES 300 with luxury features similar to the LS 430, such
as the new dual-zone automatic climate control with an air filtration system.
The standard premium audio system in both models features a five-channel
amplifier and seven speakers.  The ES 300 includes both CD and cassette
players.  Automatic Sound Level (ASL) adjusts volume up or down in response to
ambient noise.  The LS 430 introduced as an option the first OEM installation
of a high-end Mark Levinson audio system, and the ES 300 offers this option in
combination with a six-disc in-dash, single-feed CD changer or in a package
with a satellite navigation system.

    The optional Lexus Navigation System uses a DVD for map storage,
containing the contiguous United States, plus Canada, on one disc.  This new
system includes multi-language selection and greater convenience thanks to
route calculation that's twice as fast as before and map scrolling that's
speedier as well.  New functions include multi-route calculation, route
preview, simplified highway junction graphics and a dual-map screen mode.  The
navigation system comes with a center-console mounted six-disc CD auto-changer
as well as a single-disk player in the dash.

    Additional standard luxury features include a one-touch power moonroof
with sunshade, multi-information display with trip computer, Homelink(R)
compatible garage door opener, electrochromic auto-dimming inside and outside
rearview mirrors and a compass integrated into the rearview mirror.  The power
windows on all four doors feature one-touch up/down control with pinch
protection.  Two more ideas borrowed from the LS 430 include water-repellent
front door glass and four-door courtesy lamps that illuminate the ground and
doorsill areas.

    The luxury ambience is enhanced by standard footwell lighting, a center
console LED interior light, and sun visor vanity mirror lamps that turn off
automatically when the visor is closed.  Genuine California walnut trim
highlights the dashboard, center console, and doors, which also feature chrome
handles.  Several options bring the ES 300 even closer to the LS 430,
including the same leather that's standard in that model, and an optional
power rear sunshade that lowers automatically when the transmission is shifted
into reverse.  Additional luxury options include two-level heated seats,
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with auto levelizers, rain-sensing
windshield wipers, and an in-dash, single-feed, six-disc CD auto-changer.

    Standard Equipment Highlights
    The 2002 ES 300 offers true luxury content in the Lexus tradition,
including:

     - Moonroof
     - 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat
     - 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
     - Auto-dimming heated power-adjustable exterior mirrors
     - Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
     - Automatic dual-zone climate control with an air filtration system
     - California walnut trim on center console and all four doors
     - Cruise control
     - Dual front cupholders
     - Multi-information display with trip computer
     - One-touch up/down power windows with pinch protection (all)
     - Outside temperature gauge
     - Premium AM/FM audio system with cassette player and single-disc CD
       player
     - Homelink(R) programmable garage door opener
     - Rear-seat armrest with cupholders
     - Retracting assist grips, front and rear
     - Three-spoke manual-tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel
     - Ultraviolet and infrared-reducing green-tint glass
     - Variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle
     - Purse hanger

    Lexus Experience

    The sedan is built at the Kyushu and Tsutsumi plants, both in Japan.  As
with all Lexus vehicles, the ES 300 will come with a 48-month/50,000-mile
basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48-months/unlimited miles.
Powertrain and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000
miles.  Corrosion perforation protection is covered for 72 months, regardless
of mileage.