Lexus has upgraded its ES300 Quad Cam V6 luxury sedan to offer improved safety, comfort, convenience and feature levels.

The specification upgrades include features proven on Lexus’ flagship LS400, luxury 4WD LX470 and the GS300 sports sedan.

With a recommended retail price of $73,370, the new ES300 has seven-CD capacity, with a single disc CD player in the dashboard and a six-CD multi-changer in the glovebox.

Rear-seat comfort and safety has been improved by adopting three integrated head restraints, which are recessed in the rear seat. Similar in design to LS400 and GS300, they increase comfort and provide improved rear vision for the driver.

Driver’s night-time rear vision has been improved by adopting an electro-chromatic interior rear vision mirror, technology proven on LS400, GS300 and LX470.

The electro-chromatic mirror adjusts its reflectivity when its sensors detect a large difference between rear light levels and ambient light levels.

Lexus has increased ES300’s owner convenience by adopting a new keyless entry system, with the keyless entry buttons incorporated into the ignition key head (in lieu of a separate fob).

The new compact key includes an LED, which illuminates to provide a check of transmitter battery levels.

ES300’s security system now includes a lock on the rear-seat access port to the boot.

This, combined with Lexus’ proven valet boot function, means ES300 owners now have total boot security when handing their valet key to a parking attendant.

One ES300 model is offered - Lexus ES300 LXS - with Quad Cam V6 engine, electronically controlled four-speed overdrive automatic transmission, dual front SRS airbags, with force-limiting front seatbelt pretensioners, front side SRS airbags and alloy wheels.

The model year 2000 ES300 has the choice of three interior leather trim colours - Ivory, Sage and newly introduced Black.

ES300 also has newly adopted stainless steel scuff plates, which incorporate a Lexus logo.

Exterior upgrades include a new radiator grille with a wider chrome surround and a new front bumper, which give ES300 a more angular and aggressive appearance. The new bumper has a larger aperture and integral foglamps, and there are also new rear combination lamps, for a more classy image.

ES300 LXS’s exterior colour range now includes Grayish Green Mica Metallic.

The cladding colour for Super White Pearl Mica has been changed from Light Greyish Beige Metallic to Silver Metallic, for improved appearance.

Chrome-finish alloy wheels and a moonroof are optionally available, as separate items or as a combination. The chrome alloy wheels cost $1500 and the moonroof costs $2480.