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Infotainment system upgrade on my 2016 Audi A4

8th September 2021, 17:36 by Tushar Kelshikar

I really felt short-changed when my daughter bought a Grand i10 Nios. Though 3 or 4 segments down, it still had features that I started to miss in my Audi.

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The Audi A4 B8 35TDI has been my all-time favourite daily drive car since I bought it in 2016. Ticked all the boxes with respect to refinement, grunt, efficiency and overall feel-good. It had all the needed bells and whistles that included 6 airbags, rear curtain, moonroof, front and rear parking sensors (no camera), Bluetooth telephony (no streaming). Had a nice crisp colour display between the dials and a basic 7-inch dashboard screen (non-touch) showing basic information in two or three colours with basic text.

I really felt short-changed when my daughter bought a Grand i10 Nios. Though 3 or 4 segments down, it still had features that I started to miss in my Audi - Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Rear Camera, Touch screen and the stuff. I had to mount my phone in the holder whenever I wanted Google navigation, had no option to play music from Spotify and stuff.

I was sure I was not changing the car, so started the search for options to upgrade. I wanted to retain the stock looks which meant it had to be a bolt-on kit and I wanted to ensure that none of the wires need splicing. There were many on Aliexpress but also wanted a good installer who is experienced in this. Finally chanced upon Evo Retrofits in Bangalore and I knew Satya, the owner, since many tears. Went over to him last week and got all my queries cleared and got the confidence that this could be entrusted to him.

Took the car to him last Friday by noon and got it all done by evening. Everything was flawless and all that I wanted on the car came to life. Thanks to Evo and Satya for a great job done. I've now got Android Auto (wired), Apple Carplay (Wireless), Reverse Camera with adaptive guidelines. The biggest surprise (that even Satya did not know) was that the kit included a touchscreen layer that could be fixed on the existing screen making it a touch screen. This too worked flawlessly. All steering controls works and can be used to navigate the numerous menus. There is an option to add a front camera as well but did not as the car already had front parking sensors, but this is something I can add on later more as a fancy. The front camera comes on when shifting to D from Reverse and can be programmed to stay on for 10 seconds after moving off. My rear fill speakers on the doors had konked off earlier and used the opportunity to add on a couple of basic coaxial Infinity speakers in the stock mounting. All in all, a great day.