October 26: Is that you Lexus?

Is that you Lexus? Of course it is and from the distant past, when Lexus was synonymous with a rolling couch. All the handling capability of a La-Z-Boy recliner with or without Brooke Shields on board. Ok, let's be really honest here and say that the past for Lexus wasn't that long ago, maybe only a couple of years or less. So what has changed? Like their in-your-face design language (love it or hate it), from now on Lexus is trying to be different. And that rolling sofa is not going to be part of that differentiation.

Enter the new for 2019 ES, formerly the Camry clone extraordinaire. Let's show it from its most attractive angle, since as we all know the new Lexus front ends, owe so much to the Remington shaver, that it's a wonder the latter didn't sue Lexus for design infringement........

Some nice sharp lines distinquish this midsize sedan. And previously, this interior would never have found a home in any Lexus, let alone an ES........

Yes sir, things have changed with the old seniors' mainstay ride, the ES. But before one thinks that BMW will rush out their new and improved 3 Series to counter this new threat, the ES also will cater to their old fans as well.......

So what else is new? Only in Japan for the time being, the ES has been approved to have digital side rear view mirrors. Yeah, I know, I thought the same thing when I first read this, "What the heck?" Does this pic help.........

Maybe, maybe not, so let me explain. This is not a mirror, this is a camera. A camera that sees what is behind and beside you like a traditional rearview. The catch? It's crystal clear and won't have the issues that a fogged up side window has. Or, what a rain or snow covered side mirror definitely has. A picture is worth a, well you know.........

Crystal clear, while your side window is rain covered, hindering any sort of helpful side or rear view. What will they think of next? Nonstick cookware?

So far only Japan has approved this rather neat innovation. And so far only Lexus offers it on the ES. When can we expect it on our side of the Pacific? That's a tough one. Consider fifty states and ten provinces having to give it their approval and you'll realize this won't happen overnight. Going way back, want to hazard a guess as to how long it took to get approval of square headlights? Neither do I, but it was sometime.

Just another techie bit to go wrong? Possibly, but until it does, what a great feature. And, who would have thought it would be introduced on the plain as white bread Lexus ES.

Is that you Lexus? Well if this is 2018, absolutely, "YES!".

Until next time........