Audio

Just received word from site sponsor VAIS Technology about their new SL2iC iPod integration unit — check out these photos:

The SL2iC will feature a touchscreen iPod interface along with the ability to play videos directly on the nav screen — two fantastic features to be sure. Initially, only 5th generation Lexus navigation systems, but it will then be ported to both the 3rd and 4th generation systems shortly.

The SL2iC will be available in September directly from VAIS Tech’s website. More details shortly.

Here’s a clever LS 460 commercial from Lexus Germany:

Captures the LS 460’s Mark Levinson system perfectly — there’s nothing quite like live music through those 19 speakers, in my experience.

I remember posting this super-modified Lexus GS at some point, but something this wild deserves a second viewing:

Pretty sure that if I saw this in real life, my head would spontaneously explode — that is if the speakers didn’t do the job first.

The Lexus LFA mini-site has been updated to include a Sound “Gallery”, where you can listen to the LFA in its various aural states—and lucky for us, Youtube user supercargasm has posted up each soundclip for our listening pleasure:

Engine Start

Acceleration

Full Flight

Downshift

Every time I almost get used to Lexus having a production LFA, I hear that engine note and I’m back to barely being able to contain myself.

Lexus Belgium is holding a very unique contest—choose two Dutch musicians from a group of seven, try to get as many votes for your grouping as possible, and you could win a private concert from your two selections—a concert that is piped through the sound system of a Lexus RX 450h:

Reminds me of the LS 460 symphony orchestra (which stands as one of my favorite promotions yet)—my choices would be Akro and Leki & the Sweet Mints.

The Hybrid Live Belgium contest winners will be announced August 15th, and no, they don’t get to keep the RX450h after their private concert.

(Enter at lexusconcert.be.)

VAIS Technology has long been the go-to option for Lexus->iPod integration, and now they’ve raised the bar with their new VML, or MultiMediaLinQ. This integration kit allows digital audio to be played from almost any storage device, including hard drives, USB thumb drives, iPods and even SD Cards. Here’s some videos demonstrating the VML:

Hard Drive Demo

iPod Demo

USB Stick Demo

As you can see from the videos, the integration is smooth and quite versatile, I can’t count the times when loading a thumb drive with music would be preferable to syncing an iPod. Best of all, the VML trumps Lexus’ official iPod integration by allowing for both digital audio and satellite radio.

(VAIS Technology is a sponsor of The Lexus Enthusiast.)