2015 Model
#16
#17
That is my sales rep stated also but if somehow Lexus decides to not make this available for 2014 I would be very disappointed.
#19
Doubt the 2015 will have cooled seats since as I understand it the manufacturing process for foam injection prohibits it. Memory? Why not? Except for cost focus reallocated elsewhere i.e. money put in other things while keeping it under 50K.
#20
Lexus Champion
I believe it's not about the foam injection process, but just rather limiting the options available to control the cost. According to the Lexus UK site, you can get an IS F Sport over there with the foam injected seats, in leather (even red leather!), with heat and ventilation.
#21
But these are not leather -- maybe therein lies the problem. These are a result of a new process. This is why I use the term cost focus shift rather than cost cutting --
"The seat is created utilizing the “Foam In Place Method” where urethane is directly injected into seat covers that have been placed inside metal molds and then the foam sets to the intended shape. Compared to conventional methods of attaching seat covers to pre-formed foam, the Foam In Place Method creates shapes that are ideal for ensuring a comfortable ride and achieves high-quality design."
http://www.toyota-boshoku.com/us/news/130523e.html
"The seat is created utilizing the “Foam In Place Method” where urethane is directly injected into seat covers that have been placed inside metal molds and then the foam sets to the intended shape. Compared to conventional methods of attaching seat covers to pre-formed foam, the Foam In Place Method creates shapes that are ideal for ensuring a comfortable ride and achieves high-quality design."
http://www.toyota-boshoku.com/us/news/130523e.html
#22
Lexus Champion
But these are not leather -- maybe therein lies the problem. These are a result of a new process. This is why I use the term cost focus shift rather than cost cutting --
"The seat is created utilizing the “Foam In Place Method” where urethane is directly injected into seat covers that have been placed inside metal molds and then the foam sets to the intended shape. Compared to conventional methods of attaching seat covers to pre-formed foam, the Foam In Place Method creates shapes that are ideal for ensuring a comfortable ride and achieves high-quality design."
http://www.toyota-boshoku.com/us/news/130523e.html
"The seat is created utilizing the “Foam In Place Method” where urethane is directly injected into seat covers that have been placed inside metal molds and then the foam sets to the intended shape. Compared to conventional methods of attaching seat covers to pre-formed foam, the Foam In Place Method creates shapes that are ideal for ensuring a comfortable ride and achieves high-quality design."
http://www.toyota-boshoku.com/us/news/130523e.html
An exclusive new F SPORT seat design makes the first use of 'integrated foaming' technology in a Lexus. This motorsport-inspired production technology allows a more detailed seat profile, and better fit and hold than is possible with conventional upholstery methods.
Then on the "build your IS" section, you can select F Sport, then an "interior comfort and convenience package" which includes heated and ventilated seats.
#24
Lexus Champion
#25
I believe it's not about the foam injection process, but just rather limiting the options available to control the cost. According to the Lexus UK site, you can get an IS F Sport over there with the foam injected seats, in leather (even red leather!), with heat and ventilation.
As to the process, a guess here, but it's probably the aggressiveness of the US F-Sport NuLuxe seat vs non F-Sport NuLuxe seat that doesn't allow for ventilation considering you can get it on the non F-Sport NuLuxe.
Considering Lexus's are built region specific it's understandable that our US Spec ones lack certain features. The problem however is because those features and options do exist and are available elsewhere, they need to be available via special order. If I want to build a $55,000 IS350 F-Sport I should be able too so long as I'm willing to pay for it. The privelage of buying from a Luxury make is that you can customize for better individualization, something BMW and Porsche do very well and Lexus currently does not. It's not that Lexus doesn't have options, it's the lack of available options
#26
Lexus Champion
Interesting. I didn't know that. Do you know how they differ? They look the same:
#28
Lexus Champion
As for other 2015 changes, I would expect nothing more than perhaps an Enform update and some reshuffling of options and packages, but not any real design changes. Time will tell.
#29
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
quote from TMC source:
the'15 MY IS will launch with Enform Remote that has features (including start) this August. It will not be available as a retrofit for older vehicles. RES+ was not developed since the IS would have had a short product life cycle since the Enform product was in development.
#30
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter