Unique Lexus IS Sedan Gets Working Turntable

Lexus has been pushing the boundaries oftraditional marketingwith its upcomingIS sport sedan. Not only has the brand built a crazygaming-inspired versionof the new car, but it has now built a unique version complete with a turntable hidden in the dashboard for a new documentary series called "Driven by Sound". It is not unusual to see brandsadvertise their cars in music videos, but Lexus has gone one step further by truly infusing its product into the music industry. Legendary DJ and producer MC Madlib and record-selling artist and producer Kaytranada have now come together to create a brand-new double-single on vinyl which debuts in the Lexus IS "Wax Edition", a Lexus with a built-in turntable.

The Wax Edition has a fully functional turntable built into the dashboard which is capable of functioning even as the car moves, and in the new docuseries, Lexus, in partnership with Pitchfork, shows how the two artists go about their thing. "When I make music, I usually do it in headphones, so I hear everything clear," said Madlib. "And I take it to the car, test it out. Every time. That's the big test. To have the turntable in a Lexus? That's beyond." Kaytranada was equally impressed by the novel invention: "When Lexus said they wanted to build this car, I didn't think it was possible. It was amazing to see and hear vinyl playing while cruising in a car."

To make this dream a reality, Lexus commissioned SCPS, a world-renowned creative technology and custom fabrication studio based in Los Angeles to install the turntable. The device was created with a 3D printer and modified with carbon fiber and machined aluminum to fit the Lexus' dashboard, and is large enough to play a full-size 12-inch record. A rotating motor helps to stabilize the needle to stop skipping once the car is in motion.