Al-new 2014 Lexus IS will have subscription free data services

The Lexus IS infotainment system will provide real-time traffic and weather even on base models.

Lexus is set to unveil the all-new 2014 IS series this coming Tuesday. When Lexus shows the world the new sports sedan it will have one new advantage over most vehicles – free real-time traffic and weather updates via the standard infotainment system.

Many aftermarket infotainment systems can provide real-time traffic alerts. They do this by using the information broadcast from HD radio stations in the area. By partnering with iBiquity Digital Corporation, a developer of HD Radio technology, Lexus will now offer this information in the IS line. Lexus claims this will be the first vehicle to come with this information technology as standard equipment when the new IS begins delivery in early summer.

Lexus and iBiquity will use two separate methods of delivering real-time traffic and weather updates to its customers. For 2014 Lexus IS models without the navigation system, the standard “premium” Display Audio system will deliver the informat6ion. Lexus emphasizes that a subscription is not necessary. Commenting on this system Sandy Lobenstein, Lexus’ vice president, Connected Vehicle Technology and Planning said in a press release “At Lexus, we strive for partnerships that bring the most advanced connected vehicle technologies to our customers at a great value. As a result of our partnership with iBiquity, our owners will be the first in the industry to have access to subscription-free real-time traffic and weather data on multimedia systems across our vehicle lineup.”

In 2014 Lexus IS cars with navigation a separate technology is used. Here, Lexus will use a newly developed system that brings in information from both HD radio stations, and also the drivers smart phone’s cell network via the Enform system. It should be noted that the vast majority of Lexus IS sport sedans sent to dealers will come equipped with navigation systems.

The technology is presently on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in the iBiquity booth. The 2014 Lexus IS will debut Tuesday morning January 15th and will be covered by Torque News.

Photo shown is a Lexus Prototype image.