2016 Volkswagen models with Apple CarPlay on board now arriving at dealerships

BY Evan Selleck

Published 29 Jul 2015

Volkswagen CarPlay

Earlier this year, Toyota backtracked on its plans to support Apple’s in-car system, CarPlay, while other manufacturers weren’t so quick to dismiss the technology.

Since then, Chevrolet’s already seen its Corvette Z06 roll off the manufacturing line and head to dealerships with CarPlay on board, while Cadillac has confirmed its own CaPlay support as coming soon as well. GMC and Buick were next to pledge their own CarPlay support, while Honda has also recently confirmed that CarPlay will be in select models down the road.

Now, Volkswagen has confirmed that some 2016 models featuring CarPlay support by way of the company’s MIB-II infotainment system, have already begun arriving at dealerships ready to be sold. The system inside comes with its own Car-Net apps, which will let owners access features like remote honk and flash, remote lock, automatic crash notifications, stolen vehicle location, and more. It’s worth noting that these Car-Net apps come with a subscription fee of $199 per year, with the first six months free for owners. The standard MIB-II infotainment system, and obviously CarPlay, too, don’t have that same subscription fee.

Volkswagen notes that entry-level models will feature a resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 400×240, which does not feature CarPlay support. The models that feature a 6.3- or 6.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, which will be only available in certain trims, will be the option that supports Apple’s in-car system.

The first 2016 Volkswagen models that will support CarPlay are the Tiguan and Golf R.

Have you tried out CarPlay yet?

[via Volkswagen]