Since 2003, Lexus has used the Pebble Beach Edition SC430 to maintain a respectable level of public interest in its hardtop convertible. This year, Toyota's luxury arm has decided to spread the Pebble vibe to its RX350 and ES350, unveiling Pebble Beach Edition models of the vehicles at the Chicago show, with a production run of 6000 each scheduled for the 2008 model year.
The most interesting element of the special editions has nothing to do with the cars. Perhaps in an attempt to set apart the Lexus special edition vehicles from other premium brands' limited edition models, each Pebble Beach Edition car will come with your choice of the Callaway Golf Experience, Travel Package, or Epicurean Encounter. The Callaway Golf Experience allows the Lexus owner to pick from four packages of spiffy new golf equipment. Those chosing the Travel Package will get two pairs of Callaway Golf Eyewear to go along with the three-piece cafe-colored leather luggage set, which has personalized luggage tags. Most out of the ordinary is the Epicurean Encounter, designed to help Lexus owners develop their culinary skills with a six-piece Viking Santoku Cutlery Set as well as a $200 gift card for the Viking Cooking School, which can be redeemed for more Viking kitchen toys or cooking classes if you live near one of Viking's eleven locations nationwide.
Of course, the cooking classes, golf equipment, and three-piece luggage set also come with a Lexus. The RX350 can be ordered in Classic Silver Metallic, Obsidian Black, and Truffle Mica, a color that RX owners can choose only on this special edition model. New twin five-spoke 18-inch wheels have a dark finish that is arguably the most significant upgrade on the car, which also gets a rear spoiler and, Lexus says, "a special interior trim combination." Inside and outside you get badging everywhere announcing that your RX is different than the one in your neighbor's driveway. The package is available on front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models for $3880.
The ES Pebble Beach Edition receives similar upgrades, with the RX's Classic Silver Metallic color choice being replaced by Tungsten Pearl Silver. Although the ES's regular seven-spoke 17-inch wheels have a pleasing liquid graphite finish, we would have liked to see a different wheel design for this special package. Inside, ES Pebble Beach Edition enthusiasts get semi-aniline leather and a wood and leather steering wheel. Like the RX, the ES gets floormats with the Pebble Beach Company's The Lone Cypress logo.
Those who want to get their hands on an 2008 Lexus ES350 Pebble Beach Edition need only wait until later this month while the RX is released in mid-March. The sixth SC430 Pebble Beach Edition debuts in the summer, and to round out the collection, the LS600H L is also scheduled for the Pebble treatment this fall. Will we see a 2009 IS350 Pebble Beach Edition or a 2010 LX570 Pebble Beach Edition? The demand for these latest models will likely be a factor.