A leaked document sent to Mercedes-Benz dealers in the U.S. (PDF) has been obtained by C450 AMG, revealing that the company plans to include CarPlay in select 2016 models beginning with Dec. 1 and Jan. 8 builds. Specifically, CarPlay will be offered on CLA, GLA, and B-Class models either as a standalone $350 package with the Audio 20 sound system or as a no-cost enhancement to the traditional Multimedia Package. E-Class Coupe & Cabriolet, CLS, GLE, and GLE Coupe models will automatically include CarPlay at no extra cost with the applicable packages that include the COMAND Navigation system. No information is available on when or if the C class will get CarPlay support.
The document suggests that CarPlay will only be available via a wired USB connection, and adds that Apple has confirmed a number of apps to be supported at launch, including Podcasts, Audio Books, iHeartRadio, MLB At Bat, Spotify, Stitcher, CBS Radio, Rdio, Overcast, Audiobooks.com, Audible, and Pandora, but notes that “content and features available on Apple CarPlay are selected solely by Apple” suggesting the final list may be subject to change — for example with Rdio scheduled to shut down in the coming weeks it seems unlikely that an Rdio app would be included.
