SY300

With the MMC approaching in the somewhat near future... is there any hope for an IS350AWD to come?

We have a C350 4matic, G35x and a BMW 335xi...

I'm hoping Lexus follows the trend!

Giggity

pointless, why does there need to be a 350Awd

SY300

We get a lot of snow/hills in Northern Canada.

suicidesam

why did they even make the 250?

SY300

I test drove the IS250awd in the snow and it was great.

I wish there was just a bit more punch to it.

Bichon

I guess you don't 'get' the thinking behind the WRX, Evo, Nissan GT-R, etc.

All wheel drive is not just for inclement weather, even on dry roads it gets more torque to the pavement during launch and hard cornering. New designs even bias the power towards the rear so that the car will retain its RWD feel.

kuuqi

chances are there won't be an is350awd. the pricing along would cut right into the GS sales. GS sales aren't exactly great in the first place, especially compared to the ES and IS thus an IS350awd would hurt the company sales. even if production of an is350awd were to be made, a fully loaded version would probably run close to $50,000USD if not more, running right into IS-F sales too which as a buyer you could have an IS-F or an IS350AWD which unless you live in deep snow, will almost definately go for an IS-F. the sales just wouldn't make sense.

as for why lexus made the 250, in japan, gas is expensive, cars are expensive and even getting your license is expensive. In fact, much of the world is more expensive and selling a car like an IS350 only probably wouldn't sell too well. which is why they have smaller 2.5L engines for that use. even infiniti's G35 has a 2.5L version.

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

IMO Lexus will not target this group of Enthusiasts. If this does every happen I would likely think it would be on the ISF as an option down the road. Really there is no reason for Lexus to change up this platform. With gas prices going threw the roof I don't see them consolidating to just the 350 model. If you are looking for more performance from AWD sedan then I would look into Audi S4 or if you want to get crazy Audi RS4. I came out of the last Gen S4 and not once did I have issues with the car. I only traded into the IS because of my monthly gas expense and changes that where going on in my industry.

Bichon

The only thing that gives me hope for an IS350 AWD is to look at rival Infiniti. When the "M" was launched, you could only get AWD with the smaller engine in the M35x. Just this year, they added the M45x, featuring both the bigger enine and AWD. (the Infiniti G, more comparable to the IS than the M, only has one engine choice, but it's a 3.5 liter like the IS350)

I'm quite familiar with the S4, since I traded mine in on the IS350. Mine was the older generation with the twin-turbo V6. I really enjoyed driving that car, but repair and maintenance costs were getting out of control. Passnu2, did you say that you traded your Audi in less than 3 years? If you'd asked me at the three year mark, I'd have said that my Audi was pretty reliable too. It wasn't until the car was about year 4 or 5 that the car started to become a maintenance headache.