New Ford Focus 2018 - thoughts?

[Janesy B]

I doubt someone buying an older car is really inhibited by not having the ability to put in the latest and greatest tech nor are car makers really bothered if someone wants to fit a standard DIN unit.

 

[ShivP]

I would certainly consider a different car from mid 2000s if I couldn't fit bluetooth etc to run sat nav and music from my phone, like idrive from E90 with the inbuilt screen. Stuck with it

 

[TheVoice]

That's not hard, you can find wire harnesses and adapters for pretty much everything.

I had the steering wheel controls, voice commands, reversing camera, USB port etc all connected up to the aftermarket Kenwood unit.

That doesn't solve the issue of all of the car's functions, settings etc being controlled via that screen though. Most aftermarket units won't support those, so you'd end up losing functionality unless you can find the specific one that does.

 

[Joe T]

That's not hard, you can find wire harnesses and adapters for pretty much everything.

I had the steering wheel controls, voice commands, reversing camera, USB port etc all connected up to the aftermarket Kenwood unit.

In a Toyota GT86 I beat that look matches the rest of the cabin quality!

 

[Jonnycoupe]

That's not hard, you can find wire harnesses and adapters for pretty much everything.

I had the steering wheel controls, voice commands, reversing camera, USB port etc all connected up to the aftermarket Kenwood unit.

Not for Ethernet cars.

 

[jpaul]

Not for Ethernet cars.

(genuinely) who is at the bleeding edge there ?


Are the inbuilt media systems any different to standard android tablet architecture ? they are involved in slightly more safety critical roles so might expect them & s/w to have more resilience (eg. system gos wrong and plays with the suspension settings ???)
No HUD capability afaiks

 

[uchuff]

That doesn't solve the issue of all of the car's functions, settings etc being controlled via that screen though. Most aftermarket units won't support those, so you'd end up losing functionality unless you can find the specific one that does.

When researching our recent car purchase I saw this solved a couple of different ways. Either car specific aftermarket head units, cheap android units or more expensive solutions from Alpine & Pioneer.

https://www.pioneer-car.eu/eur/navgateevo

Or kits from companies like Connects2 with their infodapters that provide a sort of super fascia and adapter that interfaces with the car systems and displays the output on a standard HU via the video in.

http://www.connects2.co.uk/Product/ProductItem/CTKSK04

Ultimately though decided the best course was to buy a slightly newer car with the big CarPlay / AA compatible head unit from the factory. (Octavia III).

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Likely to amuse many but it’s Jaguar with the XJ update at 2016 to use “ultra-fast” Ethernet in a vehicle.