syswei

At least, that's what is looks like on the lexus site for the 2008 LS.

I don't see why they can't bring to the states an AWD LS, as AWD was offered in Asia on the Celsior for years.

I'm tired of waiting on Lexus. Audi A8 or MB S550 AWD, here I come.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

correct, no awd. seems like they want to keep awd only for 600hl for now.

syswei

Well maybe Lexus will sell dozens more 600hL units if it doesn't put AWD on the LS460....but it will lose hundreds or even over a thousand potential LS460 customers to the A8 and S, so imho Lexus will overall have lower revenue and profits by delaying AWD.

I think it an idiotic decision on their part.

Gojirra99

A8 would be a good alternative for AWD & you can get one without spending more for the LS460, beautiful car too, although a little underpowered compared to the other two. But a loaded S550 4matic would be at ~$110K, that's already in LS600hL territory. Now of course you can probably get $thousands in discount for a S550 4matic, & likely little or none for a 600hL that's available.
I suppose you have no interest in a 600hL at all, even with a lease.

Yes I would like to see AWD available for the LS460 too, but seems like Lexus isn't too concerned about selling more cars since they are selling enough overall already ( they sell A LOT MORE per dealership than Mercedes & BMW & Audi etc., so maybe they think they are already selling as many as they can handle), and they specifically want to keep their dealership numbers relatively low too to keep them all financially strong as a long term strategy.

Atlas

As the years go by, I believe you will see Lexus providing AWD on the 460L, the Touring Package on the SWB, and other features that will flow down from the 600hl to the 460L, and the from the 460L to the SWB. Lexus will try keep interest high with these mid-cycle refreshes. I believe the SWB, will eventually have almost everything the 600hl has, but you will have to wait as it will take time. The interesting one is, what additional features can they add to the 600hl to distinguish it from the 460L as they refresh the 460L?

Gojirra99

I speculate they may even upgrade the LS460L to LS500L for the midcycle refresh .
I think the best thing that they can do to upgrade the 600hL is to get the smaller & lighter lithium-ion batteries(which they are working on) ready & safe for use instead of the big & heavy ones now.

Atlas

Goodmp point, but if they do that, they will need to time it with the upgrade of the LS600hl to the Lithium batteries to provide for lighter weight, better MPG, and performance. There will always be the need to distinguish between the 460l and the 600hl.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

lexus won't lose one sales on 600hl even if they put awd on the 460, the 600hl is just too hot anyway

but i agree lexus should do that on 460 soon to please certain crowd. it will be done imho, maybe next year