2015 Volkswagon eGolf electric car
Volkswagen has announced that almost every 2016 VW model “in virtually every trim” will get support for CarPlay, with the first models arriving in showrooms this week.
As the people’s car brand, we knew that it was important to democratize these technologies across the Volkswagen line-up, with features like App-Connect ensuring that more consumers can integrate their smart devices in a wide range of trims on virtually every model the company sells […]
App-Connect provides seamless smartphone integration through three interfaces: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.
“Democratization” only goes so far – the company will offer four different head units of varying sophistication, depending on price level …
Entry-level models will get a 5-inch, 400×240 resistive touch display, while pricier models get 800×480 capacitive touch displays at sizes ranging from 6.3 to 8 inches. All the capacitive touch models support simultaneous sync with two different smartphones.
VW will also be adding support for the Apple Watch later in the year.
Apple Watch wearers can keep an eye on their vehicle from afar, remotely locking and unlocking doors and viewing the status of doors, windows and sunroof (open or closed). Consumers will also be able to find a parked vehicle quickly, with a map of the current vehicle location, walking or driving directions to the vehicle, and the ability to honk the horn and flash the lights remotely.
VW says that two models won’t get the new CarPlay-compatible head units: the short-production-run Eos, and the luxury Toureg, a joint venture with Porsche. The Golf R is first in line to get the new system.
Honda recently reaffirmed its own commitment to CarPlay, stating that the 2016 Accord will be the first model to support it. The first CarPlay-equipped Corvette went on sale last month.
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dang…. 400×240 pixels on a 5 inch surface, pixels size must be like Windows 10 tiles
anyways i hope i can upgrade my Golf GTD navigator system so i can use CarPlay even if i have to pay a fee for it
Dang, for the viewing disntsnce it doesn’t matter, it’s much farther away than a phone, or a tablet or even a computer is…
but it’s not like a higher resolution display is much more expensive when you buy millions of units and the overall experience is much better, we’re not talking about some chinese car maker, it’s VW, so why settle for less when you getting charged more than usual for their cars?
Will this be the UK as well?
I don’t think so. VW is a German brand¡
What does that have to do with it????
Yes, Europe and the US
Already got CarPlay in my new Polo :) Only needs activation from Apple as far as I know.
Good move on their part. Though I would’ve liked to see this move from VW earlier. I really believe people nowadays include the ‘entertainment system’ criteria into their decision making. Here’s hoping many car manufacturers will follow.
I am going to get my Golf next week. Will CarPlay work, if I change the region of my iPhone to a supported country listed on http://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/#applecarplay-applecarplay?
I’m not to sure of the criteria for CarPlay being active, but i live in Norway, drive a Norwegian car, with a 3rd party Alpine iLX-700 which was bought in Sweden, but use a UK registered iTunes account…
My point being, if it is anything like Apple TV, where you change location and get the different Apps then it will be simple…
While us Audi users are probably still SOL for the time being, it’d be nice to see the slightly-higher echelon of VAG customers get upgrades to CarPlay from 2014+. All the pieces are there, and it’s ridiculously difficult to swap that head unit out considering it controls everything in the car (climate, lights, radio, seats, safety, etc.).
US only I assume?
It’s rather comical that the only car available in the UK with carplay is a Ferrari. Not a problem for Eddy Cue I guess, but for the rest of us….
So frustrating. The SUV I was targeting is the one vehicle NOT getting Carplay. The Touareg. So annoying.
Excellent news. I assume there was no mention of wireless carplay ?
No, that’s going to a while yet, I think.
hey Ben, eGolf not eGulf … autocorrect?
Fixed, yep! Thanks!
Nice to see it getting wider support but CarPlay was one of the factors in me deciding to order a W205 C Class when Merc ‘committed’ to a 2014 launch.
Now it looks like it won’t hit til the 2017MY.
Not exactly the end of the world but a pain in the arse. Merc’s UI leaves a lot to be desired.
Since these Apple Car rumours arose, I think of the Volkswagen Golf. A reasonable sized car with reasonable design, high quality materials and a focus on the details. And always a little bit more expensive compared to the competition. The iMac of cars.
Does anyone remember the “CarPlay” of 2003? https://youtu.be/y6voJVF04lE
can you fit carplay aftermarket to a new golf sv?