Check out this cool Audi S8, outfitted with a factory iPod interface, displaying iPod menus on its navigation screen.
Plug in your iPod, and The new Audi Music Interface (AMI) appears in the navigation. Simply press CD on the controller button to choose between your iPod or CD. Of course, the iPod will charge while you are using it as well.
Choose source, then Audi Music Interface and then navigate as you would navigate your iPod, by playlist, by artist, album, etc.
Navigation is quite intuitive. “Enter†function clicks into or “down†the menu, or plays the track once a track list is chosen. “Return†allows the user to navigate out or “up†a menu, much like the “Menu†button on the iPod.
Also, you can navigate via the steering wheel controls. The name of the track, at the same time, is shown both on the AMI screen and the small information screen in the center of the instrument cluster.
Physically, the AMI is basically a second media box located next to the CD changer. In the future, the box will be located underneath the center armrest for all A6, S6, A8 and S8s. Part of the box includes a slide out drawer to hold your iPod.
Additional cables will also be available, including one with a standard 3.5mm jack and a USB 2.0 compatible jack coming in 2007.
The Audi Music Interface will be available as a factory-equipped option beginning with November production, and retrofit into cars listed above should be available starting in early 2007.
The current accessory solution for A3, A4, S4 and RS 4 iPod integration will remain the sole offering for those models. In those cases, this has been accented by SD card MP3 capability for those cars with navigation, and the new 2007-spec non-navigation Symphony II+ head unit will also now play MP3 CDs.
The A6, S6, A8 and S8 will get a similar upgrade, where the CD changers in those cars is also being changed to accept CDs with MP3 files as standard equipment. Just like AMI availability, this will begin with November production.
The Audi Music Interface will be optional equipment. Expect this to cost an additional $300 when ordered on a new car. No pricing pricing on retrofit kits were available.
Courtesy of Fourtitude, check out the gallery and full interview.
