2014 VW Beetle Teams with Apple for iPhone Integration

Apple’s adventures in the auto industry continue with the recent introduction of the VW iBeetle at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show in China. It’s the first vehicle from Volkswagen to fully integrate Apple’s iPhone, which will connect to the car either through a dedicated docking station in the center of the dash or wirelessly, leveraging a new app developed specifically for the new project.

The automaker reports that “Essentially, all iPhone function can be used in the Beetle,” including navigation, while the iBeetle app also offers: 

• Access to the Spotify music-streaming service
• “Expert” mode, enabling the iPhone to act as a g-meter, chronometer, oil/coolant temperature gauge and compass
• “Trainer” functionality that helps discover the most fuel-efficient and quickest travel routes
• “Reader,” capable of reading iPhone message out loud and listing messages from popular social-media websites
• “Postcard,” for sending digital postcards of the iBeetle’s current location
• “Photo,” able to take in-car photos and automatically post them to social networks

The 2014 VW Beetle also gets a mild style makeover in its iBeetle incarnation, courtesy of 18-inch wheels, new, more Apple-esque trim and accent designs, and six available exterior color schemes that were created to match the look of the iPhone. Among them: Candy White, Oryx White Mother of Pearl Effect, Black Monochrome, Deep Black Pearl Effect, Platinum Grey and Reflex Silver.

More details about the 2014 VW iBeetle—in both coupe and convertible configurations—will be provided closer to its on sale date in the beginning of next year.