Shanghai Auto Show: Apple and Volkswagen team up to create the ‘iBeetle’

By Nick Jaynes April 22, 2013

VW-iBeetle1 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Volkswagen and Apple have come together not only to create a special-edition car but also a new app, tethering both companies together in both tech and design.

First off, the new app is (not so) slyly named the “Beetle App.” This ingenious new app includes a vehicle-integrated docking station for the user’s iPhone, allowing the smartphone to connect directly to the car.

volkswagen-ibeetle-iPhone-dock-dashboard — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Once connected, the app can run any number of features, including; Spotify; Postcard (for sharing vehicle location) Photo (for sharing interior photos), Trailer, which allows drivers to compare driving specs with previous drives and other Beetle owners through social media, and Reader, which will read text and Facebook messages aloud.

Most distinctively, there’s Expert, which allows the iPhone to function as an extended on-board instrument cluster with dials and readouts including a “G-Meter for measuring lateral acceleration, oil and coolant temperature gauges for the engine, a chronometer, and a compass.”

While having Spotify and “Reader” are cool functions, we especially love the “Expert” addition to the app. We’d love to see smartphone and car integration lead to more than just hokey social media-based buzz features and more useful tools like this.

Beyond the app, which will be available to all Beetle and Beetle Convertible owners, is a new limited edition Beetle model called the iBeetle.

VW iBeetle3 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Available early next year, the iBeetle will feature color schemes influenced by Apple products with 18-inch “Disc” alloy wheels and a “Chrome pack” that mimics the iPhone’s color scheme.

Sure, a new limited-edition Beetle is neat. But a new app that furthers driver and vehicle connectivity is tops.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Apple

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric

2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Cars

Best dash cam deals: Protect your ride from just $39

Rexing V1 dash cam

It's hard to undersell how important having some dash cam in your car is these days, especially with how hard it can be to process an insurance claim. That's why it's a really good investment to go for one of the best dash cams your budget can afford since it can really help protect your car in the long run. To that end, we've gone out and found our favorite dash cam deals across various budgets so that you can pick the one that works the best for your needs. While you're at it, you may want to consider checking out these security camera deals for a little bit of extra protection when your car is parked.
70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S -- $40, was $50

The 70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S is the cheapest option in this list, but it doesn't feel like it because it's packed with features. The dash cam, which supports microSD memory cards of up to 64GB, records footage at 1080p Full HD resolution with night vision capabilities thanks to its Sony IMX307 image processor and f/2.2 aperture. With its built-in G sensor, the dash cam will detect an accident and lock footage to prevent overwrites. You can use voice commands to ask the dash cam to take photos or to start recording videos, and you can use its accompanying app to watch real-time footage and to download files to your phone.

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

With electric vehicles taking the market by storm, it's hard for many EV charging stations to keep up with demand, and for those who don't want to rely on that anyway, car chargers are the way to go. Luckily, there is a lot of variety out there, depending on the budget and charge speed that you're looking for, although they can be quite expensive, especially if you want to charge your EV very quickly. That's why we've gone out and collected some of our favorite electric car charger deals that we think will give you the best bang for your buck.
Seguma 16Amp Level 1/2 EV Charger -- $115, was $160

If you need a more basic charger, this Level one and two charger from Seguma is a solid option and can deliver 16 amps and 3.84kW, which is pretty substantial. It also comes with a NEMA 6-20 plug and a standardized J1772 connector, which should work on most EV vehicles out there except for Tesla, which has its own connector. There are also some intelligent charging features, which include things such as protection against things like under and over voltage, leakage, and lighting, and it has an automatic cut-off when your EV is fully charged.