NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Lexus ES takes shape

A new generation Lexus ES will make its debut at the 2012 New York Motor Show, adhering to the new Lexus design ethos that incorporates the new corporate face - namely the 'spindle' grille.

Lexus has released a teaser shot of the new car ahead of the NY Motor Show, though Chinese versions of the Lexus ES250 have previously been leaked, so you can already see how the car will be styled.

The Lexus ES Series has been sold in Australia before and could make a return, filling the gap between the IS and GS models. The Camry-based luxury car arrived Down Under in 1992 and was discontinued in 2008 when production moved to left-hand drive only. Lexus Australia has said it would consider reintroducing the car if right-hand drive production recommenced.

"All I can say is that it's left hand drive," said Tyson Bowen, PR manager for Lexus Australia. "If it was ever offered [in right-hand drive] we'd consider it."

The previous generation Lexus ES300 was sometimes smugly referred to as a Camry with a nose-job, but the updated model appears to be a more mature design than its forebears, one that distances itself from Toyota's popular medium car.

Expected to be packing a Lexus-tuned 3.5-litre V6 engine, there is also the possibility of a petrol-electric hybrid model for the USA. The car is also to be launched in other left-hand drive markets such as China.

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