Madrigal announces the introduction of a Mark Levinson® Premium Sound System as standard equipment in Lexus?® first Sport Convertible, the SC430
Available in Spring 2001, the US$60,000 plus SC430 is the first Lexus model to come equipped with Mark Levinson as a standard feature.
According to Madrigal, the SC430 offers the chance to demonstrate the virtues of Mark Levinson audio to a new segment of luxury buyers who want Lexus quality combined with the thrilling experience only a sport convertible can provide. ?It?s our opportunity to enhance the driving experience by using our knowledge of sound and our technology in a challenging environment,? said Mark Glazier, Madrigal President. ?The SC430 can be driven with its top up or down, creating dramatically different environments,? added Madrigal CEO Phil Muzio, ?so we developed special DSP (digital signal processing) algorithms to optimize the system for top up and top down driving.? The system automatically switches between the two, engaging ETC (energy-time compensation) when the top is up.
All Mark Levinson Premium Sound Systems are voiced for the unique environments presented by each Lexus model?s passenger cabin. They also share common technical features including:
Proprietary digital processing and conversion circuitry;
Sophisticated DSP software;
Discrete analog power amplifiers;
Custom speakers engineered specifically for the Lexus passenger cabin and the DSP amplifier;
To achieve the high standards assumed for a Mark Levinson sound system, Madrigal engineers again worked closely with Lexus and Harman® OEM. According to Muzio, ?This close design collaboration among the three teams has resulted in an unprecedented level of system/interior customization. One example is the Integrated Vehicle Enclosure (IVE) for the subwoofer.? System components are manufactured at Harman facilities in Northridge, California and Martinsville, Indiana.
The first Lexus automobiles to offer an optional Mark Levinson audio package became available last September and have been selling at rates higher than initially forecasted. Mark Levinson is available in the top-of-the-line LS430 as well as the GS300/430 and the LX470 luxury SUV. Mark Levinson audio systems are not available in the RX300 SUV or the new IS300.
Madrigal (www.madrigal.com) located in Middletown, CT, manufactures high-performance audio and video components under the Audioaccess®, Mark Levinson®, Proceed® Madrigal Imaging® and Revel® brands. Madrigal is a Harman International company. The Harman Consumer Systems Group (HCSG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components and multi-media systems for use in homes, automobiles and with computers. The Group?s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Proceed and Audioaccess and Madrigal Imaging. HCSG is a division of Harman International Industries, Inc. Harman International (www.harman.com), is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high fidelity audio and video products for the consumer and professional markets. The company?s stock is traded in the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: HAR.
Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., markets and sells luxury cars and sport utility vehicles through 185 dealers in the United States. Lexus prides itself on providing the best in vehicle quality, service and customer satisfaction. The company?s dealers have achieved the highest honors in customer satisfaction from the independent research firm J.D. Power and Associates. Additionally, with record-setting sales in 1999, Lexus is one of the top luxury nameplates in the industry.
For additional information, visit Madrigal at www.madrigal.com or contact David Nauber (US/Canada) or Jerry Hanna (Export).
