Lexus ES Digital Outer Mirrors will be a world first

the Lexus ES "Never had the reputation of being a particularly high-tech automobile, but entering its seventh generation in 2019, the new model is set to change its mind." That was my conclusion when I drove the Lexus ES 2019 in July, and now, the Japanese automaker goes further with the optional external mirrors, which the company claims to be a "world first" in a production car.

Unfortunately, at least for now, camera-based side mirror technology will only be available on the Japanese domestic market.

The ES system is centered around a pair of small cameras mounted on candlesticks where the side mirrors of the car would normally be located. Their view is shown on two 5-inch screens shown inside, near the base of the front windshield. According to Lexus, the camera housings have been specifically designed to limit the accumulation of rain and snow that could adversely affect the camera's vision. The cameras also automatically adjust their focus field when a blinker is activated or the transmission is reversed.

For decades, camera-based exterior mirrors have been a kind of holy grail for automotive designers. In addition to being more stylish, they tend to be smaller than normal mirror housings, which allows for better aerodynamics and reduces the vehicle's sensitivity to wind noise. The concept cars presented at auto shows have been using technology regularly since at least the 1980s, but the cost issues and legal issues of the market to the competition have so far limited their commercial availability.

Interestingly, Lexus's claim that this production would be a "world first" does not seem to be totally unchallenged. Indeed, Toyota's luxury brand is not the first to detail the availability of new side mirrors – Audi has announced its next Electric SUV E-Tron technology as an option in some European markets in May, and I recently got a chance to demo this system during a ridealong prototype during the summer.

Although the official unveiling of the Audi EV crossover is not scheduled until September 17, the E-Tron went into production in Brussels at the beginning of the month. However, initial deliveries to Europe are not expected to start before the end of the year and, although the technology can be ordered, Audi representatives contacted by Roadshow could not confirm whether the original models would be sold with the company. technology. (The E-Tron will not be sold in the US until the second quarter of 2019 as the 2020 model).

For its part, in an official press release on technology, Lexus said: "Digital mirrors will debut on the new ES, which will go on sale at the end of October". While the first examples of the new generation available with optional technology were unclear, a Lexus spokesman contacted by Roadshow spoke to the company's officials in Japan and was able to confirm that the end of October.

If Lexus keeps its promise, it will beat Audi's E-Tron on the market. Of course, beating on the market will probably be nothing more than marketing pedantry – it's really cool to see technology in production at all after all these years.

Unfortunately, at least for the moment, US buyers will be totally excluded from the discussion, mainly because of lingering legality issues regarding the removal of traditional glass side mirrors and the substitution of camera-based alternatives. Audi and other automakers continue to push for the legalization of this technology in the United States, but for the time being at least, this technology remains a forbidden fruit.

Start a tint of less than $ 40,000, the Lexus ES 2019 is appearing at US dealers this month – wearing conventional glass mirrors.

Updated 22h04 PT: History updated to reflect Lexus' confirmation that these new mirrors will be available for sale on the first ES production models delivered in October.