Blackraven

Most of you are familiar with the 12.3 inch screen



It's big and huge that's for sure

HOWEVER

For those that do not know, there is also an 8 inch screen available as well:

USA



http://www.importrates.com/inventory..._gs_350-25058/

It's a USDM version because of the MILES PER HOUR SPEEDOMETER and it's Left Hand Drive

FURTHERMORE and of interesting note is that it there is no GPS Sat Nav. If you see, the REMOTE TOUCH CONTROLLER, there is NO BUTTON that says "MAP - VOICE". In fact, that button is replaced with a switch that activates the COMPASS.

This is a rare find indeed...........in the case of the American market.

Now on to other markets.

PHILIPPINES




Lexus Manila DID NOT HAVE GPS MAPPING DATA AT THAT TIME.

However, Lexus Manila has already sent May 2014 mapping data to Lexus Japan.......so the MMC facelift for the Lexus GS in the Philippines will get GPS mapping data................at least for the F-sport model.

Whether we get the 12.3 inch screen option here is still unknown...............because of the examples below:

AUSTRALIA

GS 250 F SPORT




8 inch screen.............but this one has GPS mapping data in it.

My guess: In some markets, they reserve the 12.3 inch screen for the HIGHEST TOP-OF-THE-LINE VERSION. Anything below it, then the max is 8 inches.

NEW ZEALAND

Same thing with Australia



UNITED KINGDOM



8 inch screen for GS250 and middle versions. 12.3 inch screen as option for GS250 F SPORT and standard for highest variant GS450H F SPORT

HONG KONG/MACAU



Only the ULTIMATE variant gets the 12.3 inch screen. All other variants (Luxury/F-sport) only get 8 inch one.

THAILAND



http://www.manager.co.th/Motoring/Vi...=9550000071198

GERMANY

Obviously, highest end models use 12.3 inch screen............but the lowest base model (such as this GS250 F SPORT) can be ordered without GPS navigation which looks like this.





So there.

Some extra trivia and info. We learn something new everyday

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

We had a thread about this. There are other differences. For instance, in Russia you can get cloth seats.

Polo708

Only thing worse than that 8" screen is a 250 FSport. Sick of seeing IS250's... With the FSport package. Kills the prestige of an "F Sport". Lame.

tea

nothing wrong with a 250. get off your high horse

Blackraven

Oh I see

That's interesting.

With that said, I'm wondering as to why anyone would choose cloth seats on a car like a Lexus GS. Do those customers view the car as a premium/luxury E-segment executive car that exudes class, sophistication........as well as a showcase of how much money you have?

Or do those customers see this car as a mass-market automotive appliance? (aka elongated Corolla with RWD)

Anyways, I digress hehe

Actually, the reason why there is such a thing such as GS250 in certain countries and territories can be summed up in the following reasons.

1) Engine Displacement Taxes
2) Vehicle Emission Taxes and Duties
3) Huge amount of traffic congestion is some countries and territories
4) Higher vehicle taxes in general and import duties
5) Some people just want comfort, prestige, luxury and don't care about performance or speed (aka it doesn't matter how fast you get there...........as long as you feel relaxed while you get there)

That's pretty much it.

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

I think its more of a personal preference really. Some people hate leather and go with cloth instead. Just like F-Sport owners prefer aluminum trim pieces instead of wood. I guess to each his own I like my leather seats with 12' screen.

ilv1004s

iTrader: (8)

ill like to add abit to this
my GS350 F sport has 12" screen and ML (australia)
my other GS350F sport (korea) does not have the 12' screen and no ML
they both have GPS

12" screen is an option for the lower spec models as is usually paired with the ML (australia)
my F sport had to be optioned up to get the ML and the big screen
even on the GS450H its a option unless you opt for the highest spec
for the 450H F sport its a option that comes with the LED headlights

in Korea (asian market) the 12" screen was not available as korean spec cars use 3D GPS mapping
hence wasnt available and no ML
seems like the 12" is paired with the ML through out the world

ronfsp

Actually it's very simple.

8" = No ML Sound System but fitted with Lexus Premium Sound System..
12.3" = ML Sound System

That's abt it .

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

It depends. For instance, In United States all GS models have 12' screens, but not all regions have ML option. In New York and other eastern states you would have to special order the car to get ML.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Great find. Haha what a waste of space. 12.3" or bust !

Afrosheen

Prefer aluminum trim on F Sports? I'd have the bamboo I saw in a 450h or other wood if they would have offered it as an option. That shiny aluminum is blinding sometimes. At least it's not that cheap not-even-trying-to-look-like-carbon-fiber plastic my friend's CTS-V has in it.

praetor

I am so spoiled by the 12.3" screen. Even though it's just a split screen, it really fills up the dash nicely. When I get into other people's cars now it feels like they are missing part of their screen.

And I really regret the aluminum trim. Mine is full of dents and dimples and I don't know how they got there as I baby my car.

Blackraven

Like what SNiiPer said, it depends.

For instance, for you guys in Stateside USA, most Lexus GS come with the 12.3 inch screen.

There is however a USDM base model that has made it to American shores





http://www.importrates.com/inventory/import-export-2014lexus_gs_350-25058/

-17 inch wheels
-8 inch screen
-No Mark Levinson
-NO GPS Satnav (only an electronic compass)

Meanwhile, in Japan, the 12.3 inch screen is a standard feature on all Lexus GS cars in all variants (GS250, GS350, GS300H, GS450H).

Because GPS navigation is a standard feature of Lexus Japan along with the G-Link telematics service

http://lexus.jp/models/gs/specifications/equipment_list/gs350/index.html

P.S.
3D GPS Mapping for Lexus Korea? That's cool and interesting.

How does it work? Care to explain more? =)

Does it look like this?

ItzFilyO

Anyone knows who makes the Non-ML, Lexus Premium Sound System? It sounds pretty good for a stock system.

yardie876

I believe Pioneer. Don't quote me though.