Volkswagen Adds Tech, Connectivity Features to 2016 Lineup
At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, Volkswagen talked about ways it intended to make its information and entertainment systems and phone connectivity features not only better, but more relevant. Like all CES announcements, though, a company just lights an optimistic fuse; who knows when any of it will find its way to consumers. This week, VW formally put that stuff on the schedule for model-year 2016 vehicles.
Related: Volkswagen Widens Availability of Advanced Safety Features
The centerpiece is MIB II, VW’s new console platform. It’s an aggressive change for VW that replaces phone-specific cable ports with a standard USB port for wired connectivity. Other than a place to plug in your phone, MIB II scores huge by supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems alongside the older, cross-platform MirrorLink. MIB’s App-Connect feature automatically detects an iPhone or Android device and adapts accordingly, at which point car-compatible apps on your phone can project a clean, polished multitouch user interface into your dash and also hook into the buttons on the console and steering wheel, as well as use the car’s microphones for iOS and Android’s beefy hands-free and voice-assistance features.
MIB II is also wired up to support VW’s next-generation subscription-based Car-Net services, which include staples such as navigation, roadside assistance and emergency services.
Perhaps the most welcome element of these announcements is the fact that they’re being added to nearly every 2016 VW. MIB II comes in four different flavors, with an escalating set of features at each step. Its wide availability means VW acknowledges that sometimes the people who buy less expensive cars spend that extra money on cool phones and smartwatches.
