Daily News Briefs: June 15, 2012

The World Health Organization says diesel fumes cause lung cancer, according to The New York Times. The fuel's exhaust is considered to be more carcinogenic than secondhand cigarette smoke, said WHO, adding that it is a likely cause of bladder cancer. The American Cancer Society will probably reach the same conclusions soon, the New York Times reports. The ruling could have an impact on American workers heavily exposed to diesel exhaust, such as tollbooth attendants, the newspaper says. The study could also have an impact on the public's perception of diesel vehicles, which have grown more popular over the past decade. Diesel advocates note that the WHO study mainly focuses on older diesel technology and not vehicles that use low-sulfur or ultra-low-sulfur fuel, which is mandatory in the U.S.

In other news:

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Lexus ES

Lexus redesigned its popular ES for 2013, giving the luxury sedan similar styling to the pricier GS. Its fresh look should attract plenty of buyers, as should a first-ever hybrid ES 300h that Lexus expects to get 39 mpg in combined EPA ratings, says Cars.com Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays. The ES' interior has some hits and misses. However, the car handles better than its predecessor, and the ES 350's familiar V-6 has power to spare.

2013 Lexus ES 350 review

Lexus Discontinues the HS 250h

Weak sales and a new hybrid on the horizon have prompted Lexus to cancel its HS 250h compact hybrid sedan.

"Production of the HS 250h ceased in January 2012. Lexus continues to monitor sales for each product and we make adjustments to make sure that we meet market demand, and the discontinuation of HS was part of that adjustment," spokesman Curt McAllister told Cars.com.

Sales of the HS 250h have been tapering off for a while. Last year, Lexus sold just 2,864 units compared to 10,663 in 2010. So far this year, sales are down 40% compared to 2011; just 28 were sold in April.

Though Lexus claims it's not a replacement for the HS, the brand's ES 300h hybrid sedan is due later this year. Power will come from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system and a two-speed continuously variable automatic transmission. Lexus says the ES 300h will likely achieve an EPA-estimated 40/38 mpg city/highway. The EPA rates the HS 250h at 35/34 mpg.

Related
Research the 2012 Lexus HS 250h
2013 Lexus ES 300h at the 2012 New York Auto Show
More Lexus News

Are Sedans the Forgotten Family Car?

With no minivans in sight and spending a day checking out crossover after crossover at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, I had to ask myself whether there were other family-friendly vehicles I'd overlooked. I naturally pictured minivans, crossovers and SUVs.

More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage

But wait, what about the good old family sedan? There are plenty of updated four-doors to choose from here at the auto show, and sedans, from subcompacts to midsizers, have been getting roomier.

So, why don't I think of sedans as family cars? Why have they dropped off my radar?

2013 Lexus ES Video

The Lexus ES is all new for the 2013 model year, and for the first time it features a hybrid powertrain option that can reach 40 mpg, the automaker says. The new ES looks more stylish than before — it borrows many cues from the redesigned 2013 Lexus GS — and it features a more high-end interior that will help further distinguish it from its platform mate, the 2012 Toyota Camry, according to Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder.

2013 Lexus ES: Photo Gallery

The 2013 Lexus ES is all-new for the model year, featuring a sportier look and stylish interior.

More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage

The new ES also brings with it its first hybrid powertrain that’s borrowed from the Toyota Camry Hybrid. It likely will be capable of 40/38 mpg city/highway.

2013 Lexus ES 350 and ES 300h: Up Close

The Lexus ES 350 doesn't get much respect. It's never been snazzy looking, and it's the only Lexus car that's based directly on a Toyota, specifically the Camry. But the ES doesn't need respect because it gets something more valuable: lots and lots of buyers. The 2013 can only improve its success.

More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage

The new Lexus hourglass grille, which the company curiously terms a spindle, looks good on this car — proving it's versatile enough for less aggressive applications. Even with the new front end, the ES isn't going to set anyone's heart ablaze, but both the gas-powered ES 350 and its new ES 300h hybrid version are classy, tidy packages from every angle.

2013 Lexus ES 350, ES 300h at the 2012 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Acura TL, Buick LaCrosse, Lincoln MKZ 
• Looks like: Looks sporty … even though it's probably not 
• Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission; four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with a continuously variable automatic transmission; front-wheel drive 
• Hits dealerships: TBA

Once the pre-eminent champion of affordable, no-thrills luxury sedans, the Lexus ES has lost its luster in recent years. The latest to drink the ES' milkshake is the Buick LaCrosse, which outsold the ES by 30% last year — something that probably doesn't sit well with Lexus.

Lo and behold, not only are we getting an all-new Lexus ES 350 for the 2013 model year, there's also a new hybrid variant that Lexus is calling the Lexus ES 300h.

More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage

The model's new exterior takes cues from the recently redesigned 2013 Lexus GS and the LF-Gh concept, and that's a good thing. The ES bears the trapezoidal "spindle" grille and a low-slung side profile with a squared-off rear end. The V-6 model features integrated dual exhaust cutouts in the bumper, while the hybrid has a hidden exhaust unit.