2013 Lexus ES350 and ES300h ... Read This

Lexus... I like your Grille!

     Check out the ES300 Models and Dallas Texas

By: Cathy Droz
It seemed perfect for Lexus to have its press junket in Dallas, Texas this past week .The unveiling of the new ES350 and ES300h ( hybrid) complete with its new hour-glass (spindle) grille for all to see its shapely new form, front and center. As if the return of Southfork, on the television series DALLAS, wasn’t enough for the Lone Star State, I even spotted Jerry Jones in the Ritz Carlton lounge. I say that with such conviction, yet I recall asking “who is he?”
I could go in to all the history of Lexus, with the first models of the ES back in the day, but that would be much like bringing up the old series of Dallas; when you wondered who shot JR? Let’s move forward to the Lexus 2013 ES series that I was able to test drive all over Dallas, Texas.
The new ES models have some changes worth noting both inside and out. On the outside, as I mentioned, the new spindle grille stands out which will be standard on all Lexus models. You will notice the grilles are edged by wide headlamps; a dramatic new look that truly compliments the spindle shape.
Now for the rear, the ES350 accentuates dual exhausts, which will totally separate and distinguish itself from the 300h. There is a spoiler on the hybrid but not the ES350, which will help in separating them as well. I figure the hybrid needs every bit of aerodynamic configuration to get the drag ratio it needs. It will also give you the gas mileage which is estimated at 40 miles-per-gallon. There is a metal hydride battery pack between the rear seats and trunk. Unlike the gasoline driven ES350, the hybrid has the electric mode which operates for short distances. I can’t help but think that Lexus is the most advanced or at least the most daring and forward thinking with luxury hybrids. The company that offered the Toyota Prius to the world just keeps adding an “h” to its models and improving technology.
The ES350 sedan and the ES300h were my chariots for four hours as I took them through their paces both on the local streets and busy freeways of Dallas. I was impressed with the longer wheelbase as it added four inches of legroom in the second row of seats for both ES models. Not that I needed it at 5’2, but many of the male journalists are over 6 feet. Oh! This was cool, the front seats have larger side bolsters and I could actually feel the difference; much like I was getting a hug or soccer save when turning the corner. The chilled seats? Fantastic! On top of all of this, drivers can program the key fobs to remember seat and mirror position as well as climate control.
Lexus uses a mouse control unit for navigation and other functions. There is an optional Lexus Enform so that the driver can pair his smart phone with the vehicles to use apps like Bing, Open Table, Movie Tickets.com, Pandora and Yelp. (so much fun to play with). Of course Satellite radio and my favorite; a larger navigation screen which I find to be just the right size for my eyes at my young age.
The second row of seats don’t fold flat, but a pass-through on the GS350 gives enough cargo space for sports equipment and trips to Home Depot. The 350 can fit the things I need daily and even on the weekends with carting the grandkids things. The ES300h doesn’t have as much room, but you save so much money on gas, you can have your luggage or sports paraphernalia shipped ahead.
Both of the new ES models for Lexus were a pleasure to drive and be a passenger. The pricing for these vehicles has not yet been released, but I figure the mid $30,000. An excellent value in this luxury category.
I enjoyed taking photos while test driving in Dallas. I enjoyed dinner at Fearling’s Restaurant and meeting Chef Fearling. I enjoyed all of the sights as we traveled through Dallas testing the ES vehicles. Here are some of the places we passed while enjoying the luxury ride of Lexus. Turtle Creek, Highland Park, Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Trinity River, Pioneer Plaza, Dallas City Hall, School Book Depository where Kennedy was assassinated, Dallas Museum of Art and Baylor Hospital to name a few. Just like the new TV series Dallas, the Lexus ES series just gets better and better with time.
For more on the ES300h and ES350 go to www.lexus.com

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DALLAS IN 32 Hours with Lexus

An Auto Press Junket..  July 2, 2012

If you've ever done a press junket for any industry, you know they are a whilwind of travel, education and networking.  There are meet and greets and in my case, meet and drives.  Lexus introduced their ES350 and ES300h last week to the press in Dallas, Texas and over 25 of us stayed at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.   From the minute you arrive, to the minute you return to the airport, it's all about driving and evaluating and taking notes and photos.

Day of Arrival
You generally arrive about two hours prior to the dinner, you check in and have a snack at the hospitality room.  After dinner you are free to go about your business or spend an hour in the hospitality room before bed just chatting with other journalists.
Breakfast about 7 AM the next morning and...

Now here how it goes... when you are done with your technical and marketing seminar at the hotel you  find a journalist partner to drive with and pick one of many different colors and models of Lexus vehicles, usually parked out front of the hotel.

You are given a "route booklet" ( usually three to four different routes).  The purpose of this is to experience the vehicle while driving on a freeway and then in town to evaluate stop and go traffic.

 In most cities you have some landmarks that are
well known for that particular city or state and your route books tries to point them out so that you can observe while driving the route.  Simetimes it is hard becuase if you are holding the route book you are telling the driver where to turn and at what odometer point they need to merge or exit. Both the driver and the passenger are also looking around the car and listening for noise, comfort and cargo space.

I've been to Dallas one other time and did get to go to Southfork where the new/old TV show has been shot, and I did get to see where President Kennedy was shot ( shot being used differently in both sentences.)

So here is what I passed ( didn't stop but for a few photos) while my partner and I drove the Dallas routes.  Turtle Creek, Highland Park, Jerry Jones house, Margaret Hunt Hill bridge, Trinity River, Pioneer Plaza, Dallas City Hall, School Book depository where Kennedy was assisinated, Dallas Museum of Art, Winspur Opera House and Baylor Opera House to mention a few.

The journalists dined the first night at the Ritz Carlton in the Fearings Restaurant where Chef Fearing himself stopped by to meet and greet the guests.

There isn't much time in any city during a junket to really stop and  look, or stop and visit, but you do get a broadd overview of the types of roads and the lifestyles of different cities.  You may even want to go back some time.

Since Texas is pretty hot and humid in the summer, I would return in the Fall or Spring but when Lexus invites you on a trip, it is always first class with accomodations and professional assistance.  All the automotive companies have cut back on their budgets but they continue to be very "journalist" focused.

So that is a little bit about what an auto press junket is about.  As you can see most of the photos were taken from a car window... couldn't stop... on a time
line.

For more about autos and travel go to twofortheroadusa.com