Marton Pettendy•13 Mar 2014
NEWS
New Kluger next in Toyota Link rollout
App-based infotainment platform expands from Corolla sedan to new Kluger, with other models to follow this yearThis week’s release of the new Kluger continued Toyota Australia’s rollout of the new Toyota Link multimedia system, which will be made available in other models this year.
Toyota Link is similar to the latest connectivity systems from rivals like Ford (SYNC AppLink), GM Holden (MyLink) and Mazda (MZD Connect).
It allows drivers with compatible iPhone and Android smartphones to access a suite of onboard apps and services that help find weather information, service stations and local businesses, all through the car's audio unit.
However, unlike other systems, Toyota Link does not support music/radio apps like Stitcher, Pandora, Aha and TuneIn – or navigation apps like the subscriber-based BringGo – and does not allow ‘mirroring’ of an occupant’s mobile phone for safety reasons.
Toyota Link made its Australian debut in selected versions of the new Corolla sedan last month and now comes standard in all new Kluger variants.
In the entry-level Kluger GX ($40,990 plus on-road costs) and mid-range GXL ($49,990 plus ORCs), it comes in concert with a 6.1-inch LCD touch-screen display audio system with six speakers – similar to the Corolla’s – while the flagship Kluger Grande offers an eight-inch screen.
All Kluger multimedia systems incorporate a reversing camera, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod audio and control, USB and AUX inputs and remote steering wheel controls including phone operation.
The Toyota Link apps in the GX and GXL provide weather and Toyota Help featuring Roadside Assist, Toyota Link Assist and My Dealer, plus static maps for Destination Download, Fuel Finder and Local Search.
The same system can be had in the mid-range Corolla SX sedan, which is priced from $22,990 plus on-road costs).
Kluger Grande (from $63,990) models add micro SD card-based satellite-navigation, DAB+ digital radio, a Blu-ray rear-seat entertainment system and SUNA Live Traffic updates, plus Destination Assist (a user-paid operator service costing $2.97 per use) and ‘Navigate to’ functions where applicable for Destination Download, Local Search and Fuel Finder.
Of course, Toyota Link services are not available outside GSM mobile phone range and SUNA Traffic Updates are available only in metropolitan Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth.
While Toyota Link was launched locally with the new Corolla sedan and is now available in the new Kluger – Toyota Australia’s two most significant model launches this year – it can now also be downloaded in the Prado, RAV4 and HiLux SR5, all of which were upgraded in recent months.
Expect Toyota Link to become available in a range of other Toyota models this year – including the Australian-made Camry and Aurion – following similar technical upgrades that will bring factory-fitted touch-screen multimedia monitors instead of locally installed head units.
Tags
Toyota
Kluger
Car News
Sedan
Family Cars
Written byMarton Pettendy
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