Starting August 1st, the Lexus Enform telematics service will be available in the USA on a selection of 2010 Lexus models:
Already announced to launch on the HS 250h, Lexus Enform with Safety Connect will soon become available on additional MY10 Lexus models. As of the telematics’ systems official “go-live” date, which is August 1, 2009, the IS sedans—including the all-new IS C and the IS-F, the LX 570 as well as the RX 350 and RX 450h SUVs will also begin to offer the subscription service. Lexus Enform with Safety Connect will be available on these MY10 models manufactured after August 1, 2009.
Unfortunately, older models will not be able to use the service due to the necessary SOS button for Safety Connect:
The good news is that Safety Conntect service, which provides Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Enhanced Roadside Assistance, will be available on all Lexus models, including the non-navigation models.
However, Lexus Enform will only be available on navigation equipped vehicles, and will add Destination Assist and eDestination, which allows subscribers to send destinations from their computer to their car.
What’s also interesting is the vehicles left out of the update—the LS & ES are expected to get a mid-cycle refresh, and the next-generation GX is expected to debut some time in the next six months, so their exclusion isn’t all that surprising. But what about the GS & SC?
(A poster on Club Lexus mentions that the latest issue of Motor Trend states that the SC 430 will return for 2010 with only minor updates, will check it out tomorrow.)