A special version of the Lexus ES sedan called Moon Shadow has been unveiled in China. This model, based on the base ES 200, received a two-tone paint job reminiscent of Maybach and Rolls-Royce style.
Style Inspired by Moonlight
Despite the fact that the new, eighth-generation Lexus ES has already been unveiled, the previous model is still available in Chinese showrooms. To maintain buyer interest, the company has released a special version. According to Lexus, the Moon Shadow design is inspired by the reflection of moonlight on rivers and seas, which explains the sharp contrast between the upper and lower parts of the body.
The upper part, including the hood, roof, pillars, and trunk, is painted in a silvery color. Everything below the window line has a deep black shade, which in official photos looks almost like a rich purple.
The front seats have heating and ventilation, 8-way electric adjustment and lumbar support, there is also customizable ambient lighting, a 10-speaker audio system, and a 360-degree camera.
Technical Features and Equipment
The signature Spindle grille is painted in Obsidian Black with chrome accents, harmoniously combined with elements on the bumpers. The sedan, measuring 4,975 mm in length, is mounted on 18-inch alloy wheels with a two-tone finish.
For the Chinese market, the Lexus ES is equipped with a 14-inch media system screen and a 7-inch digital instrument panel. The standard equipment is quite rich.
Heart from Corolla
Under the hood of the special version is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is also used in local Toyota Corolla and Camry models. Its power is 170 hp, and torque is 205 Nm. This engine, devoid of electric assistance, drives the front wheels via a Direct Shift CVT transmission, allowing it to reach a top speed of 205 km/h.
Price and Positioning
The special ES 200 Moon Shadow version will cost 307,800 yuan. This is 7,900 yuan more expensive than the base ES 200 Premium, but 4,900 yuan cheaper than the ES 200 Black Edition. Thus, the new model occupies an intermediate position between them.
At the top of the Chinese ES lineup is the hybrid ES 300h Executive Edition with a price of 488,900 yuan for those who prefer electrification.
The seventh-generation Lexus ES was unveiled back in 2018 and underwent a facelift in 2021, with China receiving another update in 2024. This sedan is already in its final stages, as Lexus has already announced the new ES model for the Chinese market. The release of the Moon Shadow is akin to a swan song for this generation, an attempt to extract the last sales from a platform that is technologically inferior not only to new competitors but also to its own replacement. It is interesting that even in the final stage of its life cycle, the premium brand resorts to tricks, borrowing design techniques from absolute luxury brands and components from mass-market models to create an illusion of exclusivity at a relatively affordable price.