Car Makers Build in iPod – Audi, BMW, Mazda Embrace MP3 Revolution

Following Apple’s burgeoning relationship with car manufacturers, iPod integration in new cars is becoming far more common.

BMW has announced a new iPod interface that supports all current BMW and Mini models unsupported by the company’s original in-car solution. BMW introduced iPod support in June 2004.

Supported vehicles now include the BMW 5, 6 and 7 series. The iPod connects to a cable in the glove compartment, and is powered by the car rather than the iPod’s battery.

Seat has announced its latest iPod-ready hatchback, the Ibiza 1.4 DAB Special Edition. The 1.4 litre, 16-valve car is a multimedia entertainment system on wheels, offering digital radio, a built-in iPod connection and an MP3-capable CD player.

Citroen’s stand at this year’s British International Motor Show hosted a range of vehicles, including several models with integrated iPod nano docking stations. It showed off versions of its popular C1 range, the C-P1nk and C1 Airplay. The C1 Airplay has an integrated iPod nano dock, and ships with a 1GB nano. It’s a 1.0i petrol-powered vehicle that costs £7,295 (three-door) or £7,645 (five-door). In the boot, you’ll find an Alpine amplifier and a subwoofer.

There’s a 6.5in pop-out touch screen in front, which controls the iPod, DVD player, state-of-the-art navigation system and reversing camera.

Audi has also stepped up to the iPod mark. Its new S3 three-door sports car is available for delivery in January 2007. The £27,000 car has a 2-litre, four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox. With an all-leather and wood interior, the vehicle boasts an iPod interface and Bose sound system.

Meanwhile, Mazda has introduced an iPod connection adaptor kit in Japan as an optional extra that owners of its cars can use to connect iPods to Mazda’s factory-installed audio system. The company plans to introduce the new device worldwide this year. With an iPod dock in the glove compartment, owners can switch to the music menu, play songs at random and control the volume with the switches on the car’s original, factory-installed Mazda audio system.

In the US, 70 per cent of 2007-model cars will offer iPod integration. Ford and General Motors will feature iPod integration in most of their 2007 models in the US beginning later this year, while Mazda’s entire global 2007 line-up of cars and SUVs will offer this.