LexFather

Engine output is engine output. Drag or weight won't affect the hp/torque ratings. Not sure why this is ....

spwolf

Yes. AWD will be cheaper than RWD.

lol

spwolf

at crank, of course... who knows, it might trully be using detuned version from LS600h that emphasises fuel economy, to reduce penalty that AWD brings to mpg...

LexFather

Now that makes sense

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

For some, the question would be why would you want to spend the same amount for an AWD car when you can get a less complex drivetrain RWD car that probably has better performance? Not everyone needs or wants AWD. Here where there is no snow and the year round average temp is a balmy 84 degrees why would anyone want AWD

That said, I welcome the additional choices that customers will have with the addition of the AWD model.

UDel

I think it is a very good idea to have an awd option for the LS and it should do well in northern states, midwestern states, and the east coast as they can get some pretty bad winters and a big powerful rwd vehicle can becomes very tedious and something that can't even really attempted to be driven if the whether is too bad. I don't see a problem with the engine being slightly down on power for the awd model either. Whether it was done because of reliability for the awd system or fuel economy it would not bother me too much. People are going to buy the awd model for extra safety in slippery conditions and that is pretty much it and are not going to be concerned about losing a little hp or 0-60 times if it means the system with be reliable and fuel economy will be similar or the same as the rwd model. Nobody is buying the LS as a sports sedan as it is the furthest thing from a sports sedan and nobody is buying the awd for performance but for safety in which acceleration is not going to be much of a concern. I would take better fuel economy and reliability with a awd system in a LS over higher power and less reliability/fuel economy especially with the price of gas these days. It is only going to be a few tenths slower and it still has plenty of power for its intended purpose.

TwiBlueG35

So a heavier LS with less horsepower.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Perhaps to make room for the extra stuff underneath the exhaust piping has become a bit more restrictive lowering power output?

Just a guess. Can't see why they'd lower power output otherwise.

I guess another possibility is just drivetrain loss (more resistance to twisting with AWD vs. RWD)??

STIG

Lexus thinks adding AWD to LS would be too exciting, and has to compensate by reducing the power output to take the excitement level to the base line.

Probably no DI.

STIG

I think the power output is measured at the crank.

MR_F1

I guess I should have been more elaborate when I said 3 posts in "Fuel efficiency" ?

flipside909

I wonder if the infamous AWD tranny tunnel "hump" will be apparent? hmmmm.

TRDFantasy

To all those who criticized and said that Lexus would not release an AWD LS for at least a few years, you've been proven wrong.

The power downgrade makes absolutely no sense, unless there is a noticeable difference in fuel economy or a flatter torque curve. Otherwise Lexus has no excuse for downgrading power.

carguy101

Interesting, even with the power downgrade, the LS460 AWD still makes more hp and torque than the GS460.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

And the infamous 4x4 front wheel gap.