A memo from Mercedes-Benz USA to its dealer network has revealed the car company’s plans for supporting CarPlay. The memo was leaked to C450 AMG and contains a mix of good news and bad.
The good news is that it will be available for quite a range of models, starting from those produced this month, and will be automatically included at no extra cost for many models equipped with the company’s COMAND Navigation system. The bad news is that it will be an extra cost option for CLA, GLA and B-Class models; the necessary COMAND packages on other models aren’t cheap; and – very disappointingly – it won’t play nicely with COMAND.
The customer will not be able to use the Mercedes-Benz headunit functions at the same time as CarPlay. For example, use of the Spotify app cannot be done simultaneously with COMAND Navigation.
Details of the deals for the full range of supported models can be found below …
For MY16 CLA, GLA and B-Class, you can choose between a standalone CarPlay package (known as the Code 868 Smartphone Integration Package) for $350, or get it as part of the Code 320 Multimedia Package.
For most MY16 E-Class Coupe & Cabriolet, CLS, GLE and GLE Coupe models, you’ll need to lay out the bucks for one of the Premium packages with COMAND.
The initial apps supported will include Spotify, At Bat, Audible, Pandora, Stitcher, Rdio, Overcast, CBS Radio and iHeartRadio. See our running list of CarPlay apps here.
To access CarPlay, you’ll need to plug your iPhone into a specially-marked USB socket in the car.
The latest car to get CarPlay support just a few days ago was the Volvo XC90.
Via MR
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” For example, use of the Spotify app cannot be done simultaneously with COMAND Navigation.” …. That is just plain bonkers ! I assume the same is true of the built in music/podcast apps ? Yes there is Apple maps for nav but SO many places have no 3/4G service. I think the VW system allows you to play with both ?
Correct – I have a 2016 VW GTI. I can use carplay (such as using spotify) and then switch between the other GTI NAV features at the same time. However you can’t use car play and a different iOS app at the same time. For example, if I select Spotify on Car Play but then select Waze on my iPhone the Car Play screen goes blank. Hoping this changes on a future update.
If you have an extra 20K to blow for the sake of having a Mercedes nameplate, no doubt you’ll be happy to pay extra for Carplay.
“If you have an extra 20K to blow for the sake of having a Mercedes nameplate, no doubt you’ll be happy to pay extra for Carplay.”
He says smugly from behind the wheel of his 1995 Corolla, which is all he could afford. Later that night, alone in his own bed, he broke down in tears, no longer able to deny his bitter jealousy of those with greater means and nicer toys.
What happened to wireless Carplay?
what about S class coupe?
I’d love to know more about the C class which is curiously missing from the list. I don’t suppose MY15 will get any upgrade/update to allow Carplay.
Since CarPlay was announced in 2014 (and Mercedes announced support for it), they’ve been promising support for “older vehicles” as a paid upgrade/add-on retrofit. What they actually did was drag their feet for 2 years while they took their sweet time making it work on any model year (2016) and then refer to “all the other cars that came out since we promised CarPlay support as “older vehicles”. So what seemed like probably “2013 and 2014” cars when they made their CarPlay announcement has turned into “some 2015 cars and 2016 cars”. Not what you promised Mercedes.
I think a lot of people are going to look for a way around some of these companies to get what they want. Myself with an 2016 Audi A7 am seriously looking at using an iPad Mini. Hopefully a newer version will support always on Siri. Then it will work with all the car functions via Bluetooth and have the better then Carplay options.
Doesn’t the iPad support the “Hey Siri”-feature?
The stupidity that is COMAND may cause me to leave Mercedes behind. My 2011 system is a significant downgrade from the similar system in my 2011 JEEP Wrangler XL. I love the car (E550 Cabriolet) but the terrible COMAND system really detracts from the experience. I am looking at the S-Class Cabriolet, but will look at competitors that aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel with the bluetooth phone/nav/entertainment system.