Previewed at WWDC, launching in the fall.
Mercedes-Benz's New MBUX System Will Feature Wireless CarPlay
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that its new MBUX infotainment system will feature support for wireless CarPlay in future vehicles.
The all-new 2019 A-Class will be Mercedes-Benz's first vehicle equipped with the MBUX system when it goes on sale later this year, according to a spokesperson for the automaker's parent company Daimler in Germany. Wireless CarPlay will expand to other new Mercedes-Benz vehicles in 2019, the spokesperson told MacRumors.
The automaker previously announced that the 2019 A-Class will be available in a sedan model in the United States, while a hatchback version will also be sold in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and select other regions. The spokesperson said wireless CarPlay will be available in all of those markets.
A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz in the United States declined to comment on MBUX's wireless capabilities until midsummer. It's still early, so it's possible the company's exact vehicle and market rollout of wireless CarPlay could change.
Barring announcements from other automakers, Mercedes-Benz will likely become the second to offer vehicles with wireless CarPlay functionality, after BMW rolled out the feature starting with its 2017 5 Series a few years ago. Apple first introduced wireless CarPlay in 2015 alongside iOS 9.
Alpine Electronics also offers an aftermarket infotainment system with wireless CarPlay for self-installations in other vehicles.
Every other automaker that offers CarPlay currently uses a wired implementation that requires connecting the iPhone to the system with a Lightning to USB cable. The platform is available in well over 300 vehicle models, and it's generally considered to be a highly desired feature with strong customer satisfaction.
The all-new 2019 A-Class will be Mercedes-Benz's first vehicle equipped with the MBUX system when it goes on sale later this year, according to a spokesperson for the automaker's parent company Daimler in Germany. Wireless CarPlay will expand to other new Mercedes-Benz vehicles in 2019, the spokesperson told MacRumors.
The automaker previously announced that the 2019 A-Class will be available in a sedan model in the United States, while a hatchback version will also be sold in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and select other regions. The spokesperson said wireless CarPlay will be available in all of those markets.
A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz in the United States declined to comment on MBUX's wireless capabilities until midsummer. It's still early, so it's possible the company's exact vehicle and market rollout of wireless CarPlay could change.
Barring announcements from other automakers, Mercedes-Benz will likely become the second to offer vehicles with wireless CarPlay functionality, after BMW rolled out the feature starting with its 2017 5 Series a few years ago. Apple first introduced wireless CarPlay in 2015 alongside iOS 9.
Alpine Electronics also offers an aftermarket infotainment system with wireless CarPlay for self-installations in other vehicles.
Every other automaker that offers CarPlay currently uses a wired implementation that requires connecting the iPhone to the system with a Lightning to USB cable. The platform is available in well over 300 vehicle models, and it's generally considered to be a highly desired feature with strong customer satisfaction.
Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Mercedes-Benz
[ 65 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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11 weeks ago
As cool as the current digital instrument clusters are on the European cars, I prefer an actual analog gauge, with a supplemental center LCD screen. Call me old school but I just prefer an actual needle in the actual 3D world, not a 2D approximation of a needle lol.
11 weeks ago
Im really looking forward to the article that tells us why wireless CarPlay is lagging behind so much for apparently no reason.
11 weeks ago
BMW has had Wireless CarPlay option in their cars for over a year.
Yep, I have it in mine. MR, please update the article!
BTW this is a terrific feature. Combined with wireless charging, it's really a top-notch experience for iPhone X + BMW.
11 weeks ago
Why would anyone talk about either company? Neither has had a relevant car in over a decade.
Tesla Model S has been crushing the S-Class and 7-Series since 2015. Since 2016, Model S sales have exceeded the other two combined.
Tesla Model 3 is already crushing the 3-Series as of April and is on track to crush the C-Class this month.
As a reservation-holder for the Tesla Model 3 (and a huge Tesla fan in general), I have to say this new Mercedes A-Class hatchback is the first car in the same price range which is seriously making me reconsider pulling the trigger on the Model 3. Definitely an Apples & Oranges comparison, since the Model 3 is fully electric and the Merc A-Class isn't even a hybrid...but the latter is IMO not only sexy, it has an interior that blows away the Tesla.
11 weeks ago
MBUX. Since this is Mercedes we're talking about, does this acronym translate as "maximum bucks"?
11 weeks ago
As cool as the current digital instrument clusters are on the European cars, I prefer an actual analog gauge, with a supplemental center LCD screen. Call me old school but I just prefer an actual needle in the actual 3D world, not a 2D approximation of a needle lol.
100% agree.I drove an Audi TT and as mildy amusing as it was to be able to change the screen, there was no satisfaction with the way the screen needles swept. All a bit too PlayStation for my liking.
11 weeks ago
I have a car with CarPlay (2018 Accord Sport) and I have to say CarPlay is..........not really used. If it was wireless, it'd get substantially more use.
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