Just today I was told Sept/Oct by my sales guy again, but who knows...

 

Hmm I think (and hope) you're right. Lexus can't be that stupid can they?

 

That's what I expect. I highly doubt Lexus will make virtually ALL LS 460s and LS 460 Ls AWD for the US market, and accordingly increase the price $4,000-5,000 across the board. Considering the 2008 economic environment, and the history of Lexus pricing, I would be astonished if they decided to suddenly change the LS to an AWD-only vehicle for the US in the third year (and make RWD special order only). It's not like they suddenly want to become Audi with the A8.

IMO, what the salesperson might have been referring to is 100% allocation for the northeast region. It makes sense that the LS 460 AWD / LS 460 L AWD would become the 90-100% default choice there because of the relevancy of AWD. Moreover, the price increase for the AWD model is in line with price hikes going from IS 250 => IS 250 AWD, and GS 350 => GS 350 AWD. Note in each of the previous cases, the RWD model remains on sale, the AWD model is targeted at specific markets.

It's also good news to hear that the air suspension on the SWB is making it to the US on the AWD model. Again, I doubt that Lexus will suddenly turn the LS into an all-AWD model in the US, and for instance here in SoCal 'flood' the market with only AWD models (which probably would not get sold as highly because of the extra cost and not everyone here needs AWD).

 

4-5K more? The price difference between a GS350 AWD and a GS350 RWD is $1950. Does the cost of air suspension make up the 2-3K difference? Seems like a large price hike...

 

I had a similar discussion at a Lexus dealership recently regarding the price differential between the RX 350 and RX 400h (approximately $2,500) and compared to the differential between the LS 460 L and LS 600h L ($32,000). It seems when the price range for the LS is concerned, the gaps are wider.

That said, looking at the other models:

 

I have the same doubt too. I suspect that Lexus is making some equipment that is optional on the RWD standard on the AWD models. Otherwise, the price gap is hard to justify.

 

Note the Touring Package with AVS/VGRS/etc. on the current LS 460 L is approximately $3,000. That plus a $2,000 AWD price markup would make that difference.

 

Fair enough, but 3K for air suspension alone? I thought the current air suspension package on the 460L also included the performance summer wheel & tire package; consequently kicking the overall cost up. It is unlikely that AWD buyers will be looking for performance tires so the current bundling would need to change... assuming I got the facts straight.

 

ah ok, that makes more sense

 

Welcome to CL, by the way.

Yes, you are correct that the performance summer wheel & tire package is included in the price. I'm not sure what the AWD packaging will be. Hopefully it will not be too high $$$ but we'll see.

 

Thanks encore888!

Long time lurker here waiting to pounce on a LS460 SWB AWD... it's beginning to look like this may actually happen.

 

I spoke with my largest Lexus dealer in my area and they confirmed AWDs will be arriving no later than Oct/Nov of this year as a 09 model. Sounds like fantastic news for all of you. Also the standard spoke wheel design will be tossed for a more refined Lexus like rims without all those busy looking toyotaish spokes of the standard 18 inch wheels. BIg mistake on Lexus to do that even after putting those plain ugly 17 inchers on the GS back in the 06-07 model years.

 

I'm in the process of ordering a new LS460L (don't want to get into reasons why, but I'm sure most of you will understand based on my previous posts in the "WindNoise" thread) and I have been told by Northeast District Manager that 2009 AWD will ONLY be available on 460L in Sept/Oct of this year. MSRP will be about $3K more then current 460L with touring package. I know some of you maybe disappointed and were hoping that it will be available on SWB as well, but looks like that's not happening.

 

Tell me it ain't so!!!!!!!!! I have my heart set on a 2009 SWB AWD

 

I for one like the Lexus 18" wheel. It sure is easier to clean than some of the complex patterns out there.

If, as you say the 18s are "Toyota-ish", what does a "more refined Lexus-like rim" look like?