It's not clear to me at all...will I be able to get a short wheelbase LS460 with modern luxury (decent radio and nav) and AWD? Or must one get the $100,000 hybrid car to get AWD?

In other words, I don't want to go to superlux stratus...just something "normal" to get up and down the snowy, icy hills of Pittsburgh with AWD as I can get in a "normal" Audi A8 or Mercedes S.

 

I too would prefer the SWB version, but the AWD is important to me.

The AWD is implemented as a part of the Hybrid package, so unless Lexus decides to offer the Hybrid in the SWB version, you won't see AWD in the SWB.

I have a LS600hL on order for delivery in February, 2008.

HBH

 

Sorry to hear it. Sales around here....Pittsburgh (and other parts of the snowbelt) would improve if they had a flagship car with AWD priced at or below Audi A8.

 

If you think AWD would be usefull in warm, sunny Pittsburgh, try MY state, Maine!

I've had a '99 LS400 and an '03 LS430, and both handled poorly in the snow without snow tires. With snow tires, they were fair.

Living in a condominium, I don't have much storage space for 4 tires all of the year, so I'll be using AWD from now on.

HBH

 

AWD *will* be offered on the "normal" LS460 in the near future, a few months after it goes on sale.

 

That would be GREAT. Where did you get this information from?

HBH

 

I also would like to know where you got the info that AWD will be offered on the *normal* LS430?

And Helmar...you are right about snow tires. They are a royal PITA and only improve the situation a little. They are no substitute for AWD. Truthfully last year I bot a Honda CR-V (we needed a 3rd car anyway...wife has an Explorer) as a 3rd car. I drive that when it snows. But I've come to realize that it makes no sense to spend $60,000 or $70,000 or more for a car that is unreliable for 5 months of the year. (Of course not saying that the mechanics of the vehicle are unreliable...just saying that rear-wheel drive is just too dangerous in the snowy winter hills of Pittsburgh when AWD has become the standard for dealing with it).

 

i do not know the exact source of where he got it...but i did see the article a few weeks back which had an interview with the ls chief engineer and he said both the LS 460 and 460L would have awd versions avalible soon.

 

and LS460 AWD has been announced in Japan... so its coming for sure.

 

Lexus has yet to officially confirm it, but various sources talk about the addition of AWD for the LS460.

For some examples, you can take a look at the LS460 official review thread.

 

I hope it's true, AWD for the LS460 makes sense. Actually I was a little shocked that they initially introduced the car a few months ago without AWD for the LS460, & make it standard for the LS600hL . The LS460 is the volume model & they can lose some sales without AWD as an option.