Mercedes-Benz Shares Full Lineup of 2016 U.S. CarPlay Vehicles

[miwi81]

All 2016 BMWs, MBs, Audi's have lacking interior design, many models with those non-integrated panels, ugly stuff popping up or looking like it was glued on the instrument panel. It's just terribly ugly and can't for my life understand how those brands can allow for that kind of design in 2015.

Volvo, with their XC90, are clearly currently the leader of both interior design and infotainment system, I'm surprised that not more mention them here.

 

[2298754]

Volvo, with their XC90, are clearly currently the leader of both interior design and infotainment system, I'm surprised that not more mention them here.

The XC90 is beautiful inside and out. The interior design is fantastic, but the materials quality is not on par with Audi or the current Mercedes products. Tons of hard plastics.

Most people don't notice it... Mostly because they've only seen the top spec Inscription where leather is everywhere or they're just looking at the touch screen.

 

[2298754]

Quite frankly why would you own 7 BMWs if iDrive was the worst? If I'm not mistaken, MMI is considerably more expensive than iDrive- then again it's all negligible depending on what they actually offer.

I'm not sure where these comments even came from. iDrive/MMI are basically standard across the board.

When you option up NAV, Audi/BMW give you the higher-res screen/interface.

 

[A.Goldberg]

All 2016 BMWs, MBs, Audi's have lacking interior design, many models with those non-integrated panels, ugly stuff popping up or looking like it was glued on the instrument panel. It's just terribly ugly and can't for my life understand how those brands can allow for that kind of design in 2015.

Volvo, with their XC90, are clearly currently the leader of both interior design and infotainment system, I'm surprised that not more mention them here.

Volvo is truly setting the new standard of design for automakers. The new S90 looks fantastic, aside from the rear end which is a little funky. As auto @AutoUnion39 said, as well as many reviewers, the parts quality isn't quite to the standards of the Germans.

I haven't used the new XC90's infotainment, but I'm not a fan of everything being controlled through a touch screen as mentioned earlier. It's a lot easier to use physical buttons and knobs when driving. Volvos Sensus system in their other models isn't great and the controls are a bit awkward, especially if not using the steering wheel controls. Both systems are light years ahead of Volvos other pop-up navigation system, found in the older XC90, S60, S80, and S40-based vehicles. I can't believe they got away with selling that system for as long as they did.

 

[iLog.Genius]

I haven't used the new XC90's infotainment, but I'm not a fan of everything being controlled through a touch screen as mentioned earlier. It's a lot easier to use physical buttons and knobs when driving. Volvos Sensus system in their other models isn't great and the controls are a bit awkward, especially if not using the steering wheel controls. Both systems are light years ahead of Volvos other pop-up navigation system, found in the older XC90, S60, S80, and S40-based vehicles. I can't believe they got away with selling that system for as long as they did.

It's not so much being only a touchscreen, though that is a significant factor, but it's the placement of it. For me, using something like Mercedes COMAND in the ML with where the screen is placed, then using iDrive and where the LCD is, the Germans definitely got it right especially BMW. Having the screen at eye-level makes a huge difference and BMW gets bonus points for having it tilted/angled towards the driver - can't say that about Audi and Mercedes where the screen is just in the middle, straight up.

 

[kildraik]

Too early ? Mercedes was presenting a new model, C-Class W205, and during that presentation they've been demoing CarPlay with iPhone 5s, where they explained exactly which button to press to access the freaking CarPlay. So after that I've ordered this brand new f#cking model, which was already obsolete when it was manufactured in their factory. Same story with Camera 360° - you could order it, but the car was delivered without it, without any notice from the factory, like nothing happened. They ****, not do what they say, cuz they said W205 C-Class will be the first MB with CarPlay, so stop that crap Kildraik, you don't have an idea what you're talking about.

I re-read everything, and the W205 is indeed the first to offer CarPlay, however it sounds like you based your purchase of of a demo, a concept. When you ordered it were you able to ad CarPlay to your vehicle? If so, you probably have a suit. If not, then it wasn't available.

Mercedes has not been well off recently with their rollouts, so, I will admit, because when I put in my order for the S550 Coupe in April 2014, one of the first 13 people in TX to order one, 48th in the US, they delayed customer builds until March '15 for a 2015 model (WTF) for MAY delivery when they started getting factory builds in September of '14, so I waved my middle finger at them and grabbed a '15 RR Sport V8 Special Edition after a fun conversation with Land Rover (strange switch, but the new Range's have really intrigued me since launch). It really pissed me off, because I'd been a customer at Park Place for years.

On the bright side... Who NEEDS CarPlay, anyway?

Apple's maps are TERRIBLE, your phone has email and text messaging, Siri is useless in real world situations, and I think the UI looks childish and backwards for luxury vehicles. Looks great in a Hyundai, though.

Be proud of your Mercedes. The UI is beautiful, luxurious, easy to navigate, and is NOT obsolete... It's a Mercedes. You have a spectacular vehicle (being $80k+, it's probably KILLER). I was just pulling your strings saying you jumped the gun... But there is no sense in being upset with one of the best vehicles on the road today when there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

In fact, I wouldn't buy a Mercedes if it had CarPlay. Apple doesn't have any business in my vehicle, and the way things are going with how easy it is to gain malware on iOS/Apple OS devices, I wouldn't trust it regardless.

There is such thing as being "too connected."

Your Mercedes will be obsolete when the next C class comes out in 6 years.

 

[McDaddio]

Should have done your research. They did exactly what they said. Winter 2015.

No, you are wrong.

W205 does NOT refer to Winter 2015. It refers to the model number of the car. It has nothing to do with the year nor with the season.


FYI, here is the information from March 2014.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/how-apple-carplay-works-on-the-new-c-class-w205-video-78071.html

Two years ago we set a new trend with the integration of the smartphone into our vehicles, and Apple and Google have picked it up,” said Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “We offer our customers an ideal in-car infotainment system.

Watch the video, it was demoed at the Geneva auto show, right before launch, so a dealer or a consumer thinking it was included is a reasonable expectation.

 

[kildraik]

No, you are wrong.

W205 does NOT refer to Winter 2015. It refers to the model number of the car. It has nothing to do with the year nor with the season.


FYI, here is the information from March 2014.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/how-apple-carplay-works-on-the-new-c-class-w205-video-78071.html



Watch the video, it was demoed at the Geneva auto show, right before launch, so a dealer or a consumer thinking it was included is a reasonable expectation.

Hence my other response to him laying out the facts, however, thinking isn't factual, it's hopeful. It was never confirmed, demoed in the flesh to consumers, or listed as a feature on any window sticker. Wouldn't somebody reasonably deduce that if "Power Windows" are listed on a 2014/15/16 Mercedes' sticker, they would add CarPlay functionality to that list if it included it? When his car came in and discovered it didn't have CarPlay, he could have turned it away. You don't buy a car until it's signed and delivered.

Also, if he thought it was backwards compatible, the logically elementary thing to do would be to get backwards compatibility in writing before taking delivery. The thing is most people "think" too much. They don't secure their interests in legal form in case they need to take legal action to alleviate a miscommunication or assumption on either party.

You only pay a $1000 refundable deposit to order until it's on the lot. Then you do the paperwork and deal. Then you pay for the vehicle. Then you drive it off the lot. Then your trade-in value plummets $15k, and another $10k when the next model year comes out, and another $5k when the NEXT model year comes out, plus however much for use. Then CarPlay comes out. Then Mercedes makes another $30k off of you for one's desire for a useless, $350 option.

It's the circle of life, and anybody's a fool to play that game.

I worked auto shows for years, and if it's one thing I learned is that nothing is official until it's sitting right in front of you.

 

[A.Goldberg]

It's not so much being only a touchscreen, though that is a significant factor, but it's the placement of it. For me, using something like Mercedes COMAND in the ML with where the screen is placed, then using iDrive and where the LCD is, the Germans definitely got it right especially BMW. Having the screen at eye-level makes a huge difference and BMW gets bonus points for having it tilted/angled towards the driver - can't say that about Audi and Mercedes where the screen is just in the middle, straight up.

Great point. On a similar note, I don't understand why more companies aren't using the large, wide format LCDs like BMW is using. Mercedes (the the exception of the S-Class) and Audi are putting in pretty square-shaped screens. BMW is brilliant with their use of split screen information. The wide screen also takes advantage of the space while not impeding vision.

I'm also not a big fan of pop-up screens- seems like another thing to break. I know in the older Volvos, the screen took like 10 seconds to open up, a PITA if you're only wanting to use it fort the backup camera (the screen automatically opens when put in reverse).

 

[A.Goldberg]

m not sure where these comments even came from. iDrive/MMI are basically standard across the board.

One of our other members posted iDrive is more expensive than MMI, which has not and is not the case.

In the past, MMI was a bit more expensive than iDrive- up to 30% more
These days, the prices are similar, but MMI tends so be a little bit more (at most a couple hundred dollars). IDrive is only more expensive if you get it in their tech package with the heads up display, etc.

Given that BMWs are generally more expensive than similarly equipped Audis, it's a moot point.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Great point. On a similar note, I don't understand why more companies aren't using the large, wide format LCDs like BMW is using. Mercedes (the the exception of the S-Class) and Audi are putting in pretty square-shaped screens. BMW is brilliant with their use of split screen information. The wide screen also takes advantage of the space while not impeding vision.

I'm also not a big fan of pop-up screens- seems like another thing to break. I know in the older Volvos, the screen took like 10 seconds to open up, a PITA if you're only wanting to use it fort the backup camera (the screen automatically opens when put in reverse).

Agree with everything you said. Touchscreens aside (Tesla, Volvo, Mercedes S-Class), it's probably just an afterthought and not a priority. Though, manufacturers will eventually implement them, BMW just had to foresight, and the luxury since they got software refined, to know that how an information is displayed is as important as what is being displayed (see: wide LCD, driver orientated). After using iDrive in the F30 (and F10 5er and F12/F13 6er), it's quite painful to go back to a low resolution, squared display.

I too am not a fan of the pop up. Sure it allows the display to be hidden for a much cleaner dash but the way it's just sits completely upright with no angle is such an eyesore. Also, it's just another thing to fail and that's something you consider especially when you're talking about German cars and the electronics. \

 

[A.Goldberg]

Agree with everything you said. Touchscreens aside (Tesla, Volvo, Mercedes S-Class), it's probably just an afterthought and not a priority. Though, manufacturers will eventually implement them, BMW just had to foresight, and the luxury since they got software refined, to know that how an information is displayed is as important as what is being displayed (see: wide LCD, driver orientated). After using iDrive in the F30 (and F10 5er and F12/F13 6er), it's quite painful to go back to a low resolution, squared display.

I too am not a fan of the pop up. Sure it allows the display to be hidden for a much cleaner dash but the way it's just sits completely upright with no angle is such an eyesore. Also, it's just another thing to fail and that's something you consider especially when you're talking about German cars and the electronics. \

I think up until very recently, in car technology wasn't really a major element of car deveopment. Now that personal technology is such a big deal, companies are just starting on ways to really integrate smartphones.

BMW has avoided touch screens for years because of research showing people...
1) Don't like touch screens because of the lack of tacticle sensation and feedback.
2) Are annoyed by smudges on touch screens.
3) Find screens higher on the dashboard more comfortable and safer.
It's also known higher placed screens are not as ergonomic for touching, especially when recessed to accommodate for glare.

The trend of all luxury manufacturers has gone from touchscreen to knob controllers, with the exception of the Tesla and XC90. It seems like a lot of manufacturers are holding off from these "iPad"-like controllers. It will be be interesting to see where things go.

BMW's next generation of iDrive, now in the new the 7-series, apparently uses the conventional knob controller and incorporate a touch screen, primarily for typing (addresses in nav, keypad for phone). It also has some gesture controls, waving your hands around in front of the screen preforms certain actions.

I have an 09 535i xDrive e/iDrive, previously my fathers. He was just commenting about how small his 2012 Range Rover Sport and my mom's new Audi Allroad navigation screens are.

 

[2298754]

I said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with CarPlay. It's not bringing a ton of new functionality to the table in higher end cars.

A.Goldberg brings up a good point. CarPlay really doesn't do much to "'move the bar" on luxury cars. MMI/iDrive/COMMAND have done pretty much all of this for some time now.

CarPlay is only a game changer for the "normal" car brands, like Chevy or Toyota. Apple Maps is better than anything they use. Audi already has GMaps integration, and Built-in Spotify support.

 

[AleXXXa]

BMW is so far ahead of every other manufacturer in terms of infotainment technology / software. That LCD in the MB looks like garbage, as does the interior.

Replacing the MB system with carplay is probably the right move. Hope carplay includes maps!

And in how many MBs you've been lately? My S63, GTs, ML63 all have great displays. The whole system is great, fast and responsive, the screens are in the right location and you have a nice knob with touchpad for control (the touchpad is great for entering addresses).

The LCD is crap only on the base A/CLA (and probably B). But if you go with the premium option you get a good quality screen even on the cheapest cars they offer.

Have you tried Carplay? I have and i think it's ...annoying. Or maybe the Corvette implementation sux, i dunno. I much prefer what MB or Audi (their nav is great, 3D Google Earth with live traffic) offer.

P.S. The interior is garbage? It's actually better than the interior of other premium brands (Bentley and Rolls Royce don't count, those are luxury brands). S and S coupe are in a class of their own, but even their cheapest cars (A/CLA) can have a nice interior if you tick a few checkboxes.

 

[BeSweeet]

No love for the GLC300? Oh well.

 

[centauratlas]

According to what I am looking at from MB, even the 2015 X166 GLS (the GLS refresh) can get CarPlay with 14U with Command.
So the 2017 GLS (due March/April 2016) should have the same options available.
This from MB docs.