New cars in Australia with wireless Bluetooth audio streaming
If music’s really important to you, the ability to stream your favourite songs wirelessly from your smartphone or MP3 player through your car’s speakers will be an important feature to consider on your next new car. But which cars feature this technology? Bluetooth audio is in the process of being widely adopted right now, which means some cars have it and some cars don't, across a variety of classes, styles and price-points.
(Bluetooth audio streaming allows you to transmit your music from a Bluetooth-equipped music device like an iPhone to a Bluetooth-equipped car audio system, wirelessly. It's not the same thing as Bluetooth for handsfree telephone operation, although both systems use the same technology.)
Cracking the code on Bluetooth streaming capability can be time consuming and frustrating. So here's a list of vehicles currently on sale in Australia with Bluetooth audio streaming. It could save you hours of online research across potentially dozens of manufacturers' specification sheets:
Audi
A1
A8
All other models from 2011.
BMW/MINI
Bluetooth standard on all expect 1 Series Hatch. Wireless streaming available when satellite navigation is installed.
Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2011 Jeep Patriot
2011 Jeep Wrangler
2011 Jeep Cherokee
2011 Dodge Caliber
2011 Chrysler Grand Voyager.
Citroen
C3 – Standard on Exclusive, optional on others.
DS3 – Optional
C4 – Optional
C4 Picasso – Optional
C5 – Standard on Exclusive, optional on others
C6 – N/A as the car has its own integrated phone system
Berlingo – Standard on long body, optional on short body
Dispatch – Optional
Holden
Omega Sedan/Sportwagon/Ute
Berlina Sedan/Sportwagon
Calais Sedan/Sportwagon
Calais-V Sedan/Sportwagon
SV6 Sedan/Sportwagon/Ute
SS Sedan/Sportwagon/Ute
SS-V Sedan/Sportwagon/Ute
Caprice
Caprice-V
HSV
All
Hyundai
Getz
2011 i20
2011 i30
2011 ix35
2011 i45 Premium 2.4
Jaguar
XJ
Kia
All 2011 models except:
Cerato Sedan S (not available)
Carnival S ($300 option)
Mazda
Mazda2 – Optional
Mazda3 – Standard on Maxx Sport, SP25, Diesel and MPS. Optional on Neo and Maxx.
Mazda6 – Standard on Classic, Touring, Luxury and Luxury Sport. Optional on Limited.
CX-7 – Standard on Luxury Sports and Diesel Sports. Optional on Classic and Classic Sports.
CX-9 – Standard on Grand Touring and Luxury with Sat Nav. Optional on Classic and Luxury.
MX-5 – Optional on Touring and Roadster Coupe.
RX-8 – Optional on Luxury.
BT-50 – Optional
Mercedes-Benz
All models have Bluetooth standard, although wireless will only allow what you have recorded onto the device (not downloaded) to be played.
Mitsubishi
Pajero GLS
Pajero VRX
Nissan
Patrol Ti
X-TRAIL Ti
Pathfinder Ti
GT-R
Peugeot
308 XTE
3008 XTE
308CC
RCZ
4007
Renault
Clio 200 (including Trophee, 20th Anniversary and Gordini)
Megane Hatch/250 Renault Sport/CC
Fluence
Koleos
Suzuki
Kizashi Sport
Kizashi XLS
Volkswagen
2011 Passat CC
Volvo
S60 (from December)
XC60 (as early as Q1 2011)
S80, V70 and XC70 (from September 2011)
Brands currently not offering wireless audio streaming in Australia include: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, FPV, Land Rover, Maserati, Proton and smart.
Note: All major car brands in Australia have been contacted in relation to this story. We're still awaiting responses from Honda, Porsche, Subaru and Toyota. We'll update this list if and when responses are forthcoming.
But what if your next car isn’t on this list and you still want to stream wirelessly? How about if you want to keep your old car and still stream your music? A technology company named New Potato Technologies is among the first to design a portable wireless streaming system that allows you to retrofit the technology.
The 'TuneLink Auto' plugs into your car’s 12-volt power outlet, and allows iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to stream music via Bluetooth through the car’s speakers. It also incorporates Bluetooth phone functionality and has a 'share' option, which allows multiple passengers to share the TuneLink connection. A USB port also allows for fast charging (albeit using a wire this time).
It works like this: the unit receives the smart phone's Bluetooth output. It then converts the signal to an FM radio signal, which an old-tech in-car audio signal can receive and play - provided you tune the FM radio to the right 'station'.
The system’s not perfect. Firstly, it tunes into and then transmits through a preselected FM frequency, so it’s a case of too bad if the one it operates over just happens to be your favourite. It’s also not fully integrated like some factory-fitted car Bluetooth audio systems, which will lead to some occasional handling of the smartphone (to select different songs, playlists, etc.)
However, for $US99.99, it’s one of the best Bluetooth-streaming options available ... if wireless music is a priority, and buying one of the cars on the list above isn’t.