Jaguar Land Rover has a robust Classic division that keeps its most famous and important models on the road and in good condition. The cars receiving such attention tend to be rather historic models, like the XK120 and E-Type and the rough-and-tumble Series and Defender off-roaders. Now, however, Land Rover Classic is lavishing some attention on a much newer breed of automobile, the 2010–2012 Range Rover, which wouldn’t even be old enough to vote if it were a person. Nevertheless, a newly available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit kit will bring phone mirroring to the luxury SUV, helping loyalists keep up with modern tech.
A Thoroughly Modern Rangie
Until now, the Land Rover Classic division only offered OEM parts for the third-generation Range Rover. But the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit is the first product to modernize and enhance the L322 generation. The head unit uses the original screen, and Land Rover Classic developed the surround and buttons to blend seamlessly into the existing interior design. The division also says that switching between native functions and phone mirroring will be an easy task so that those accustomed to their apparently Jurassic-era technology can ease into modern life.
But for those who desire a more updated infotainment experience, the setup will offer wireless connectivity for both Apple and Android users, although a USB connection is also available. Other features will feel familiar to anyone who’s driven any new car recently, like connected, phone-driven navigation and music streaming and podcasts. The system is warranted for two years in Germany and the United Kingdom, and although there’s no official word if Land Rover Classic will offer it to a global audience, we think they’d be nuts to confine it to those two countries alone. Also in question is if the CarPlay/Android retrofit will appear on other products like the LR4, Discovery, or Range Rover Sport, because right now it’s confined to the final three model years of the third-generation Range Rover – even 2003–2009 owners are out of luck.
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It will go great with your retro Apple CarPlay stereo head unit.
Not The Only CarPlay Game In Town
Land Rover Classic is the latest automaker to offer an infotainment retrofit to their loyal customers. Among the most famous is the Porsche Classic Communication Management system, which can put a double-DIN head unit with smartphone mirroring in the 996- and 997-generation 911, the 986- and 987-generation Boxster, and the 955/957 Cayenne. Porsche will even do a single-DIN Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit with a teeny screen on its older cars, merging modern tech with period-appropriate styling.
Other automakers that provide restoration assistance, like Mazda with its first-generation MX-5 Miata, have yet to break into the infotainment game, and that’s just fine by yours truly. A car like the NA Miata has a totally different use case than a full-size Range Rover, the latter serving as a stately daily driver for which CarPlay is a worthwhile addition. Nevertheless, calling anything from 2010 “classic” feels like a cheap shot to those of us of a certain age.
Source: Land Rover Classic
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