Although Lexus is a great car that offers both luxury and reliability, after even five years being in use its infotainment system can quickly become as obsolete as an eight-track player. What appears prime technology five years ago may seem hopelessly archaic as new car owners enjoy latest and greatest such as Car Play or Android Auto. For Lexus owners, there are options to replace an old system with an aftermarket model, which can be costly and hard to integrate.
But GROM Audio, a Silicon Valley based car audio innovator, has developed a better solution for the dilemma of the outdated Lexus stereo. They call their solution VLine, an aftermarket infotainment system upgrade for existing Lexus and Toyota vehicles. VLine is the smart computer that interfaces with the vehicle’s original manufacturer-installed stereo or infotainment system to elevate its capabilities and features.
Connected to the factory car stereo with navigation touchscreen, VLine aftermarket infotainment system provides video interface to display latest apps available on Google Play Market, including many key utilities that enhance driver safety and convenience.
Developed on Android 5.1.1, VLine enables essential navigation and GPS tools—such as Google Maps and Waze—to help drivers get to their destination safely and quickly. VLine offers many popular music apps such as Web Radio, Spotify, Google Music, displayed and operated directly using the Lexus navigation screen. Drivers enjoy seeing song titles, artists information and even cover art, on their Lexus displays. Bluetooth A2DP music steaming is also available.
VLine is controlled with existing touchscreen and/or steering wheel buttons . The users can switch between map and media screens with one touch. In addition, the Lexus drivers and passengers can use Vline’s voice search and command activation button to navigate to the place, or to find the music to play.
GROM Audio announced the pre-sale for VLine with the special early bird pricing, and estimated shipping date of September 30th.
You can see the demo video below:
how does this get installed? Is it mainly for pre 2010 Toyota/Lexus vehicles?
The VLine connects at the back of the stereo. It will be available for the Lexus all the way to 2015. We are working on supporting different Lexus / Toyota generations navigation stereos. Stay tuned!
Does it support 2011 rx350? Thank you very much!
There is no support for 2011 RX350 yet, but it is coming within next few month. Stay tuned! Thank you.
What is the degree of difficulty for the installation? Can a novice install it or is a professional technician required?
You will need to take the car stereo out in order to connect VLine. It really depends on your technical level. Professional technician help is recommended. Thank you.
does it support the 2013 es350
Not yet, we keep working on the solution for this year of manufacturing. Stay tuned to our updates. You can sign up at http://gromaudio.com (scroll to the bottom of the page) to our monthly newsletter. Thank you.
Need more info
sure, we are happy to help! You can refer to the page here: http://gromaudio.com/store/vline/grom-vl1-lex5.html
I currently have the Lexus 12.3″ multi media screen. Will the VLine fill the screen with the navigation feature? The aspect ratio would be 4″x 11.5″.
what is your Lexus model and year? Thank you.
Will this work in Japanese version of gs 430 ?
what year is your car?
Will it work with IS 350?
what year is your IS350?
it is 2006
Yes it will work as long as it has NAV scree, see the listing here: http://gromaudio.com/store/vline/grom-vl1-lex5.html
Thank you.
Will it work for the stereos without NAV screen?
You need the navigation/touchscreen for VLine to work and integrate.
Will it work in LS430 2004 with nav?
Yes it will work with LS430 2004 with Nav. We should have VLine ready for your stereo within next 3 weeks. Stay tuned!
Looks like a very cool product. I have a 2008 LS 600h L (Australian Edition). Will your system work for me?
VLine will work for your stereo. You can get it for a pre-sale price here: http://gromaudio.com/store/vline/grom-vl1-lex5.html
To double check the compatibility (as you have Australian model) I recommend you to send us the photo of your stereo. You can contact us at http://gromaudio.com/support.html Thank you.
This looks great. Will it work on Lexus NX200t with Nav
Thank you for your interest. What year is your Lexus?
Will it work on a SC430?
Hello, what year is your car?
Will your system work with a 2014/2015 RX450h please?
It is not supported yet, but we are working on expanding VLine compatibility with the vehicle 2014-2015 year of manufacturing. Thank you.
Hey,
I own an IS250C/2010….. Australian spec. sport luxury. I note the upper year limit of 2009. Do you have a 2010+ model as yet for my car?
Hello, we do not support 2010 IS250 yet, but it is coming soon with the next release. Please stay tuned.
Thank you.
Is it compatible w a 2002 SC430
What’s about 2003 SC430?
If it has Nav screen, it will be supported in a couple of month. Stay tuned! Thank you.
Not yet, we are working on making VLine compatible with more vehicles across wide range of different manufacturing years.
I’m interested in a system for my 2013 ES300h. when will it be out and how much is it?
Hello, we plan to support 2012 year of ES300H in a few month. The retail price is $499.95, available now for the pre-sale for $299.95:
http://gromaudio.com/store/vline/grom-vl1-lex5.html
When we will add new years of manufacturing into the compatibility list and announce the pre-sale for them once we will be close to the release.
You can sign up for our newsletter at http://gromaudio.com
Thank you.
Is this available for a 2005 GX470 w/nav? I’d like to take advantage of the early bird special but it states 2006 and above.
Dan, VLine will be available for the 2005 GX470 w/nav in a few weeks, and in fact we will open the pre-sale for the earlier Lexus manufacturing years next week. We will let you know once the pre-sale for vehicle will be open, and provide the link here. Thank you!
Will you be supporting Australian IS F MY12?
Yes, if the specs are the same as US.
So obviously this is essential for anyone planning on getting an iPhone 7 since auxiliary connections will be useless. So my question is, can music be played by hooking up your phone to Vline using a lightning-USB cable? Or does it have to be Bluetooth?
Also is the system basically plug-and-play? If I feel confident enough to remove the factory radio myself I should be able to properly install Vline myself?
The music can be played via a lightning-USB cable. VLine will have the USB port that will support Lightning. You can also use Bluetooth streaming for the music from the iPhone.
The system is plug-and-play. If you can take the stereo out, you can do the install easily. You will also need to route the microphone for the voice activation.
Will you be expanding the Vline for a 2013 RX350? I do not have nav. If it requires a nav screen is it possible to retrofit a nav screen. Would it be possible to operate it via the steering wheel controls since I don’t have nav. Thank you.
That might be a difficult mod, specially if you do not have the actual screen. If the stereo has the screen, but does not have the navigation (that happens), we are working on the solution for such cars. Thank you.
My 2013 Lexus RX350 does not have the nav system but it does have a video screen albeit not touch sensitive. Operating the system is done via steering wheel controls or the console mounted dial.
Do you believe your future products will work on my car?
Thank you
Such configuration is more “tough” to integrate with. We have the plans to develop the solutions for the stereos where there is no touch screen, but the control knob in the center console. There is no ETA yet, but I recommend you to sign up for our updates to stay a top of the news. You can do so my going to http://gromaudio.com, at the bottom of the page there is the email sign up form. We send out the newsletter no more than once a month.
Thank you.
I’ve ordered one a couple of days ago, when will it arrive? to sweden.:)
Thank you for your order, we plan to ship all pre-orders this week. You will get the email with the tracking info shortly.