2015 Lexus LS updates its multimedia system

Although there are no cosmetic or mechanical changes to the 2015 Lexus LS, the division’s flagship moves into the new model year with electronic enhancements highlighted by a new multimedia package. On the connectivity front, Lexus has upgraded its Enform Apps Suite and added a new Enform Remote smartphone feature. Identical to the system found in the 2015 Lexus IS, the multimedia setup in the LS Series pairs a new Display Audio sound setup with improved navigation.

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Accessible through the 12.3-inch hi-def center touchscreen, Display Audio includes HD Radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, automatic phone book transfer, real-time traffic/weather and other vehicle information along with a nifty radio cache feature that lets you save up to 15 minutes of music to play later. The Navigation system now offers full 3D as well as bird’s-eye display, more timely data while and new features like detour preview, ETA calculation and low-fuel coordination with available fuel stations.

The automaker’s house connected services system, Lexus Enform, also gets an impressive boost for 2015, thanks to the addition of new Enform Remote that comes with a year’s free subscription. It lets owners use their smartphone to control numerous vehicle functions from remote lock/unlock, start/stop and preconditioning the interior temps to finding the car in a crowded parking lot and monitoring "guest drivers." The Enform App Suite also has been upgraded and now includes iHeartRadio 4.0 and Slacker. One additional welcome touch: The backup cameras on all LS models have new dynamic grid lines to make exiting parking spots a bit easier. 

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The 2015 Lexus LS lineup arrives next month. Pricing for the LS 460 with it 386-horsepower V8 starts at $73,445 while the 360-horse all-wheel-drive version opens at $76,390. The long-wheelbase Lexus LS 460L lists at $79,745 and its AWD alternative commands $83,225.  The enthusiast-oriented LS 460 F Sport costs $83,445. At the top of the range, the 2015 Lexus LS 600h Hybrid packs a 438-horse gas/electric powertrain with AWD and carries an MSRP of $121,365.

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