I spent 3 days at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show Dec. 26-Jan. 4. The Lexus reps here suggested an All-Wheel-Drive IS300 may be in the works....and also a new SC300 or 330 coupe.....but were somewhat tight-lipped about it. You guys out there in the Midwest going to the Detroit show and on the West Coast going to the L.A. show....you might want to see what Lexus has to say there. The L.A. and Detroit shows are traditionally is much larger than the local D.C. show here...and a lot more information is given out.
I'm all for an AWD IS300....the extra drag and weight would be compensated by much better traction on slippery surfaces....one of the weak points of the present car. it would also be a good competitor to the All-Wheel-Drive 3-series. And, of course, an All-Wheel-Drive IS430....need I say more? Only problem is that would cost some bucks.

 

I disagree.
I dislike AWD.

If your car is slipping around now - it's time for a better suspension/tire combo.

 

i also went to washington auto-show......good for people looking for a car to buy.....

not really for people who want to see concept cars (maybe 4-6 concept cars in the whole show)

it was fun

i wouldn't mind seeing a 4wd option, but i hope they dont kill RWD

 

You misunderstood what I said. I was not commenting on whether I like or dislike AWD...just on its possible availability on future IS300 or 300's. For my purposes I probably wouldn't choose it either...I don't drive much on snow. The RX300/330, of course, has it already but it is not sporty like the IS300...it is more of a family and foul-weather machine. And Subaru, for years, has made inexpensive, durable, simple AWD systems that have been time-proved....that's why the ski teams use them.
You mentioned better tire-wheel combinations.....Seems like every tire company in the buisness right now is trying to perfect high-performance all-season tires that will give good grip on all surfaces and also give good tread wear....something many of today's high-performance tires don't.

I still think, though, in the long run, Lexus would do well to offer AWD on the IS, especially if Chris Bangle at BMW screws up the AWD 3-series with that idiotic I-Drive like he has their other cars, and the former BMW people start to look at AWD IS'es as credible comptitors.