I agree. I would fully expect to see AWD offered in the second model year.

 

They started offering AWD in 2009 but there were reasons for that, the engineering for the transfer case and transaxle wasn't ready, they were struggling with it and in fact many 09 AWD LS460s have driveline shudders and all because it was rushed out even for 2009. At that time this whole idea of AWD being a necessity for luxury sedans was very new, and Lexus was rushing to compete.

In the ES they already have multiple applications of that engine and that transaxle and AWD they can put in the ES, and the idea of AWD as important to a luxury sedan in winter climates is 10+ years cemented.

We'll have to wait and see, but my bet is no AWD ES, best case scenario is the MMC.

 

If the Camry doesn't get AWD, neither will the Lexus. I'd only expect AWD if the Camry has it. The ES is after all mostly a Camry on roids.

 

Right.....So they did in fact start to offer AWD two/three models years after the LS460 launch.

So why wouldn't Lexus offer the 5.0 V8 IS-F upon the IS launch back in 2006ish? It was added a few years later in 2008

 

actually they don't have that TNGA new awd ready yet, it is coming next year... oh wait :-)

 

The IS was never planned to have a V8. The IS F was a skunkworks project and came to fruition because engineers began collaborating on it after work together. This is why it has a huge hood bulge. It also helped that the S4, E92, and C63 were all V8 at the time.

 

i fully expect there to not be an AWD ES at any time as the upside revenue vs. cost isn't worth it.

 

Thats an F car special varient, like the GS-F. I wouldn't be surprised at all if there was an LS-F with a V8, what we won't see though is the LS with a simple V8 option without all the other things that come with an "F" variant (thinks I wouldn't want) the way everybody else does it (BMW, MB, Genesis, Audi, etc). Should have been clearer.

 

I agree with bit (probably no AWD ES), but not for the same reason. IMO, the strong RX sales simply overshadows it.

 

I personally think an AWD ES would be a great thing, and if they are really going to axe the GS its a must have IMHO...

Will it happen? I doubt it for this generation.

 

 

So do I, but up till now, it seems like the huge RX sales have pretty much strangled it.

 

With the overwhelming shift to SUV/Crossovers, I question how much AWD would add to the ES sales. The enthusiasts that might welcome it are really not interested in the ES anyway. People in heavy snow areas are likely to choose a NX or RX over an AWD ES for the ground clearance.

If Lexus really want to appeal to enthusiasts, it would be fairly easy to add AWD to the ES F Sport. With modern computers, a version of Acura's SH-AWD biased to the rear drive would make it sportier. Turbos on the V-6 would provide power as needed. Even with all this, the ES would be a large car with a long wheelbase and thus never as nimble as an IS or 3 Series.

Near term, I think Lexus has hit a sweet spot with the 2019 ES - low risk, minimum development cost, and max appeal to the existing customer base. I do think they missed a bit in not including some of the luxury items (like power folding mirrors and AVS) in the Ultra Luxury package. Maybe something for 2020.

 

The chassis wasn't built with performance in mind and the weight balance is horrid with 60% up front. AWD wouldn't help it make it any more fun and a sad replacement for a GS. I'm hoping Lexus uses the money more wisely and gives us an improved power train lineup.

 

So then why would the journalists in their reviews report that they have been told that both the Avalon and ES are capable of AWD if there is a demand for it? The competition MKZ has AWD, so does the LaCrosse, and so does the Ford branded models.