New radios coming for smart

[jwight]

Thought someone else would have mentioned this...

Among the topics covered at the Midwest rally by Dave Schembri was the smart radio and why they su.. uh, aren't as good as they could be. He did mention that AM is not a big deal in Europe so not a lot of attention was given to that side of the radio. However, new radios from Kenwood are apparently in the works and will be available in three versions (Pure, Passion and Cabrio???) in the near future. They will be a running production change when available, but current owners could buy them to upgrade their 451 radios. If anyone has more details please chime in.

[Padawan]

I've had pretty miserable luck with Kenwood aftermarket head units, but maybe their OEM offerings will be better. I can't really complain about the Radio 10 with subwoofer in All Ball, so I think I'll just leave well enough alone.

[vwW12]

I despise the radio on our smart (it is the nicer one). I wish it had navigation.

Haven't replaced it with an AVIC F90 or similar because these aftermarket radios do not fill up the entire faceplat and I do not like the looks. Do you think the new radios will have nav/bluetooth options?

[ElementalDragon]

vwW12: Well.... seeing as the rumored radio's are going to be OEM replacements, and the fact that Smart dealers already offer an in-dash nav system upgrade from Kenwood for $1,000..... i don't really see these being more in-dash systems, nor do i see an in-dash Kenwood nav system being any cheaper than the one currently available as an option from the dealer. Would be nice..... but doubtful.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by jwight

Thought someone else would have mentioned this...

Among the topics covered at the Midwest rally by Dave Schembri was the smart radio and why they su.. uh, aren't as good as they could be. He did mention that AM is not a big deal in Europe so not a lot of attention was given to that side of the radio. However, new radios from Kenwood are apparently in the works and will be available in three versions (Pure, Passion and Cabrio???) in the near future. They will be a running production change when available, but current owners could buy them to upgrade their 451 radios. If anyone has more details please chime in.

HMMM.................... a 3.0 update?

[Big Panda]

I'm not a particular about my music as some, so I'm quite satisfied wtih my Radio 10. BUT if there was a NAV unit available for upgrade.......

[John_H]

Would a true built-in NAV be less of a theft target compared to a generic double-din unit?

[Woody14619]

Originally Posted by vwW12

I despise the radio on our smart (it is the nicer one). I wish it had navigation.

It does have an input in the back for a NAV audio hookup, though it doesn't do nav itself. Smart does offer an upgrade, but it's not a very nice one. Really though, most often when you're talking about a car audio system, you're usually better off getting a replacement unit and installing it yourself. The hookups are simple these days, and buying aftermarket you can get exactly what you want and research your purchase much better.

[vwW12]

Originally Posted by Woody14619

The hookups are simple these days, and buying aftermarket you can get exactly what you want and research your purchase much better.

Exactly right. But I refuse to buy a Kenwood or Pioneer AVIC unit because these are smaller (double-DIN) than the factory radio faceplate.

To each his own, but I just don't like having to buy a nice aftermarket unit and then have to surround it with filler plastics (either black or silver) so it fills the hole left by the OEM radio.

[ElementalDragon]

vwW12: it's not smaller. the stock radio in the Smart is also a Double-DIN, last i checked. The only difference between the stock double-DIN and an aftermarket double-DIN is the fact that the stock radio basically has that massive faceplate that gives it the same curvature as the trim going around the radio and such. Don't think you'd have any other options to go with besides stock radio's that Smart might come out with. And if you ask me, the silver surround looks great for aftermarket radios in the smart. Why? because it makes it match. The silver surround makes it look like it could have come from the factory, since the air vents for heat/AC are silver, and not part of the trim piece.

Woody: i think the upgrade Smart offers is probably one of the better ones out there. or at least my local dealer anyway. Their in-dash nav unit is a Kenwood.... which isn't cheap.