Lexus IS Wax edition revealed with an in-car vinyl record player

KUALA LUMPUR: Lexus has come up with a very unique idea of adding an old-school in-car vinyl record player to its new IS sedan and this one-off creation is dubbed as Lexus IS Wax edition. It is a completely functional turntable built into the dashboard where we usually found the glove box, it plays records while the vehicle is in motion, without skipping a single beat, even on bumpy roads, claims Lexus. 

This one-off IS Wax edition is built under the promotional activities in association with music publication Pitchfork, as part of its documentary series, "Driven by Sound". However, the credit of the actual engineering goes to the LA-based custom fabrication house SCPS, which helps outfit the showroom-spec IS for show-car duties. 

The smooth playing of the vinyl record, while the car is in motion, is actually hard as the vehicle bounces on roads, its acceleration, braking, and turning changes, all these together can cause the player’s needle to skip or affect the system turning the album. 

To meet these challenges, the fabricator created a custom record player with 3D printing, carbon fiber, and aluminum, which is placed on a silicone pad that absorbs shocks. Furthermore, the rotating motor and micro-adjustable tonearm stabilize the turntable to avoid skipping while the car is in motion. The Lexus IS’s enhanced suspension system and fine-tuned handling also play a critical role in stabilizing the needle of the record player. 

The 12-inch record player is fitted into the sedan’s glovebox and slides out when you want to listen to music. It is mated to the optionally available 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and 7.1 surround sound systems. For this one-off IS Wax Edition, the automaker also teamed up with the music producers Madlib and Kaytranada to make a double-single record on vinyl.

The modified IS Wax edition is designed to celebrate the launch of the latest IS sports sedan, it will not go for sale but will be on showcase at the company’s future events.

Also read: 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition revealed