Performance Review: Lexus ES 350 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lexus ES Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lexus ES 350 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.This particular Lexus ES has a 3456cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The ES shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the ES's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1610 kgs (3549 lbs) this makes the Lexus ES 350 in the same weight category as the 2021 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lexus ES shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 3456cc 24V V6 engine produces 268 bhp (199 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 248 lb-ft (336.2 Nm) @ 4700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lexus ES you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2l V8 (191.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lexus ES.

The Lexus ES has a Power to weight ratio of 166.4 bhp per ton and 154.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 ES competing with the 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2l V8 (191.4 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Aston-Martin DB7 3.2 V6 (191.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lexus ES generating around 154.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra (178.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (178.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Lexus ES 350 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs). This Lexus ES 350 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the ES and the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958

When talking about the performance of the Lexus ES on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.02 secs @ 91.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 (14.95 secs), the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 (14.95 secs), and the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (14.95 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Lexus ES 350 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 ES equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Lexus ES 350 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

2012 ES Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lexus

Car Comparison