Vansibel

I recall this picture when the 2010 refresh was announced: http://images.newcars.com/images/car...Interior-1.png

This look way better than the plastic slab they put in earlier model. But all of the 2010+ american model I saw so far had the exact same horn assembly than the 2007 model. Was this only available in japan ? Did it ever made it to production ? It seems like if could fit in earlier model. Would definitely buy one.

caha14

Yes! It did make it into production.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...new-to-me.html

Vansibel

Was it an option or something ? I saw fully loaded executive ls600hl of the same year without that feature. Does someone know the part number ?

caha14

I am not 100% sure but I don't believe it was an option. Even 600s I saw with no "extras" (like one I saw with no radar cruise and no rear seat upgrade/RSES) had this stitching. It all seems to be part of the standard setup, with leather door panels and dash with hand stitching.

It's PNC 45130 (P/N will vary with trim color); $682.72 from Sewell with CL discount. Not sure if it fits, but I'd be happy to take some measurements off my car later if you would like. Visually it looks the same size as the standard vinyl piece, and I would expect everything to really be the same in terms of mounting holes, etc. (wouldn't make sense manufacturing wise for it to be different).

Vansibel

I mostly looked at ones in Canada, maybe it's only the Canadian one that don't have this: http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2010/i...w-005-7903.jpg

That's kinda low from Lexus part, lol

EDIT: Look like the dash is not even leather on that one lol... wth ?

Vansibel

Two other example: http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/Lexus/LS...&orup=17_15_84

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/Lexus/LS...&orup=14_15_84

Seems like the 2010 were downgraded in Canada, the dashboard is definitely not in leather like the 2008-2009 one

But why, lol

caha14

No kidding... Just saw that for the first time, and yes, that was the first thing I noticed: the vinyl dashboard. Go figure...

Vansibel

Guess that's another world first for Lexus

Lexus was:

The first to design a eight 8 transmission
The first with full led low beam headlight
The first with self parking system
The first... to put a plastic dashboard in a 150 000$ luxury car

On a side note, I have a black interior with red cherry wood and identifying the right variant of the horn assembly (45130) on that site is a challenge: http://jp-carparts.com/lexus/partlis...ype=6&fig=4504

Also, I wonder if there will be a problem if I plug a different airbag. Would it be plug and play ? It certainly require some kind of programming.

wanderer99

It's not just the dash that's plastic on the 2010+ Canadian models - there also isn't leather on the top of the door. The dash and doors are just the regular LS460 parts I believe. Why did they do this? I'm sure it was to save money on not having as expensive door and dash trim compared to the 2009 and earlier cars. The dashpad alone is about $15K in price difference I think for a replacement.

On the plus side, I believe that the Canadian cars typically got heated windshield glass and in the executive trim that TV console thing between the front seats.

Vansibel

It also get a blue start button like in the prius. I see the advantage of having a five seater executive trim but imo that tv console is just plain ugly compared to the 4 seat setup: http://cms.ipressroom.com.s3.amazona...2d3ca8-prv.jpg

wanderer99

I just don't get that TV console in the back seat. If it's an executive model, surely people are supposed to be able to stretch out and the left and right hand seats can recline just fine. What about the middle seat though? He can't recline nor do much other than just sit there. To me this just makes no sense.

Are there any other cars in this class that have a TV setup like this? Just wondering where this idea came from or what need it serves.

Vansibel

Hyundai equus have a similar setup: http://www.decisivelatino.com/sites/.../36738_1_1.jpg

At least in the equus you can hide it and it tilt. Guess Lexus needed an easy place to put the dvd player as in the 4 seat configuration it's installed in the middle back seat.

EDIT: Since you can have a 2008 non-executive (5 seat) with the rear entertainment system, where do you put the rear dvd ? If Lexus already has 5 seat configuration with the screen on the roof I see absolutely no reason to put the screen in that configuration instead of the roof.