Volkswagen's 2016 models will have CarPlay support; to arrive in dealerships this year
Volkswagen announced last Wednesday that it plans to integrate CarPlay in most of its 2016 models in the United States and that the new CarPlay-compatible MIB II system will hit dealerships this year, according to a VW news release.
The MIB II infotainment system works with App-Connect, which provides features for smartphone integration with Android Auto, MirrorLink, and CarPlay.
The MIB II also comes with VW's Car-Net apps that will allow vehicles to have features like remote honk and flash, remote lock control, crash notifications, and vehicle monitoring, as reported in MacRumors.
CarPlay support and MIB II don't' require subscription fee but Car-Net apps will be priced at $199 per year, the report stated.
The CarPlay and Volkswagen tandem was not the first partnership announced during the infotainment system's debut, but VW had promised earlier in January that most 2016 models would have CarPlay support.
The MIB II systems will be offered in four different versions, reports stated. The Composition Color features a 5.5-inch touchscreen and offers only the most basic setup with features like USB, SD Card media, and Bluetooth.
For the Composition Media, it will feature an 800x400 capacitive touch display and the screen display will vary in size depending on the model. The standard features, however, include App-Connect, Bluetooth, SD card slots, and HD Radio, among others.
Higher trim levels offer features such as electric vehicle function, 2.5D navigation, and "one-shot voice destination entry;" while the 2016 e-Golf SEL Premium will have the CarPlay support and an 8-inch capacitive touch display as some of its notable features.
Compared to other brands, VW is being assertive in its decision to take in-car technology to the next level, especially with the partnership with Apple.
Last May, the German automaker updated its Car-Net app, which allows remote control functions for the Apple Watch, as reported in Apple Insider.
The first 2016 models from VW, Tiguan, and Golf R, have already arrived in dealerships as of late July, reports stated. More vehicle models that have MIB II system and CarPlay will arrive later this year.
