New measures, including roller-rocker arms, help to reduce internal friction and increase efficiency. A stainless-steel dual-exhaust system reduces backpressure at high rpm to enhance performance.

The new six-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) provides a sequential manual shift feature for a more involved driving experience when desired. Shifting strategy adapts to driver input, and kick-down response is twice as fast as the previous five-speed automatic.

The low-friction, high-efficiency gear train is lighter and more compact than in the previous five-speed transmission, with 20-percent fewer parts and 24-percent fewer hydraulic controls. A quick-response, low-friction clutch pack and an ultra-flat, low-inertia torque converter help to enhance transmission smoothness and efficiency.


New Pre-Collision Technology

Lexus has equipped the 2007 Lexus ES 350 with an even higher level of dynamic and passive safety technology than before. Notably, the advanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control system (TRAC) is now standard, and the 2007 ES 350 becomes the second car in its segment to offer an available pre-collision system (the first was the sporty Lexus IS introduced for 2006).

VSC also integrates Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and the Brake Assist feature. VSC helps control loss of 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.

EBD optimizes braking pressure at each wheel to help minimize body dive or sway during hard braking and cornering. Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to activate the ABS, it applies increased braking force until pedal pressure is released.

The optional Pre-Collision System (PCS) in Lexus ES 350 can help reduce collision damage. The package includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which uses millimeter-wave radar to measure and maintain a set distance from a vehicle traveling ahead. PCS relies on the radar sensor to detect obstacles in front of the car, and a PCS computer with vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw-rate inputs helps to determine whether a collision is unavoidable.

In such a situation, PCS preemptively retracts front seat belts and pre-initializes Brake Assist so that increased braking will be applied the instant the driver depresses the pedal. The "Active Braking" feature can automatically apply the brakes up to a deceleration rate of 0.3 G's if the driver fails to react to system warnings.


Eight Standard Airbags

Passive safety technology begins with a reinforced front- and rear-structure passenger compartment that helps protect occupants. Seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters are used for the front and rear seats. In addition to the dual front airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, the Lexus Supplemental Restraint System includes side-curtain airbags that extend from the A-pillar to C-pillar, as well as a new knee airbag for both the driver and front passenger. Additionally, the customer may select optional rear side airbags, bringing the total number of airbags to 10.

Advanced dual-stage front airbags at Lexus ES 350 are designed to deploy at one of two speeds, according to impact force. The driver's front airbag also includes an extra low stage designed to deploy based, in part, on the seat's position on its track. The front-passenger airbag is now a two-chamber design.

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