ltooz_a6_a8_q7

I'm helping someone to get a 2017 A8L, according to the reviews, they should come with CarPlay, can someone with a 2017 confirm this for me please?
Thanks,
Louis

Jibsymalone

My understanding is that CarPlay/AA wasn't introduced until the D5 came out...

MP4.2+6.0

No, no CarPlay (or Auto) for any year D4. It came out on very late C7's (the "C7.5's") but was not rolled back into D4's. Thinking at the time was D4 was about to get revved to D5, but then TDI fraud and debacle hit really hard and D5 introduction was rolled back the better part of two years. It's also why the D5 and C8 have essentially been introduced on top of each other. The plan was they were supposed to be staggered, with the usual halo D series coming first.

FWIW, the big technical step for this sort of thing on D4's was probably circa 2013--Audi Connect, 360 camera, etc. Motor change from prior 4.2FSI happens there too. A few technology tweaks with 2015 facelift though pretty subtle. Facelift with 2015 was of course where more of the style changes occurred, including some improvement to the compromised trunk in the early D4's relative to D3's.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

Sometimes I think Audi marketing people are retards, my 2017 eGolf has CarPlay while $90k A8L has nothing, quite primitive. No auto parking either. Since other models has CarPlay, I'm sure I can hack it somehow.

Thanks MP4.2

MP4.2+6.0

Yep, I know about the Golf from tracking it for Mk 7 R's. It falls into the same pattern where they knew the next big model rev (Mk8) was then a few years out, so they went ahead. But it got way out of synch on D4 with D5 intro ridiculously delayed after the mid cycle CarPlay/Auto revision plans were already decided. The final 2018 USA D4's were themselves built long before, but just labeled as 2018's so they could change out the German factory tooling for D5's for the much earlier Euro launch.

FWIW, I am still of the belief that over integration of this stuff itself results in compromises, plus cable hassles and work. You fortunately have the electronics knowledge and hands on ability relatively few do. It's more obvious perhaps to me with a Mk6 Golf R. There I revv'ed the Nav and rear camera and all on the one hand to the Mk 7 factory "high" option level (pre 7.5), but I didn't try to get to the next 7.5 CarPlay type iteration. Instead I just got a nice RennSport bracket that holds the phone right near the Nav unit screen, plus put in a dedicated USB port for the Lightning or other charge cable. Now I have dual screens that accompany more distinct functions, same basic usability reach, phone upgrade path as simple as the charge cable and magnetic attach plate. And when I cut to the chase of probably one of the two main reasons people try to get to a phone integration approach, it is typically Waze to try to shortcut traffic. Phone obviously serves that up, though on mid to later D4's Audi Connect (for a fee) is a feed of what in CA turns out to be Intrix traffic data that is probably behind at least a piece of Waze too. Player meantime remains an old iPhone hard cabled in, or I can bluetooth via real phone if I want to stream or use a different music or podcast file set. On D4 (or D3), the combo of the low volume backwater for (no) aftermarket support and high center folding MMI screen just make it more frustrating to relatively simple approaches commonly found on higher volume and often much cheaper vehicles. Ditto on radar detector or camera mounts btw found a lot more easily for other volume models for when/if you get there.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

I'm sure the hardware is there, just the flash doesn't have the CarPlay module. Everything is on the MOST bus. I'm sure the phone will do ok, just the CarPlay interface on the screen is nice. With XS max, the screen is quite big enough to see the maps and the Bluetooth will pay quite well I'm sure. It's just annoying with these features omitted due to unprepared marketing strategies, nickel and dime customers. BMW has on the 7xx but MBZ doesn't for the S until 2018... Hmm

hagani

Hate to bring this old thread back up but was looking for the same answer and came across this information on the web. Can someone clarify if 2017 A8 has a Android Auto and CarPlay??

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

No, even 2018 A8, but with $250 and some work, it can be integrated.

hagani

I own 2015 A8 and will eventually/maybe soon upgrade to 2017 but I was thinking to go with CarsGadget version of decoder. And I was thinking that if 2017 has CarPlay I am not going to spend any money on upgrades on my 2015 A8 and just will get 2017 model. But since 2017 doesn't have it I will install it on my 2015 and once replaced with 2017 A8 I will just going to move it there. Thanks for your reply

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

2015 is the same as 2017, just the facelift, why would you want to trade up?