Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. has introduced the iLX-107, an aftermarket in-dash receiver dedicated to wireless Apple CarPlay. The iLX-107 with 7-inch touch screen will be available for North America and gives drivers an even more convenient way to use Apple CarPlay in their vehicle. The iLX-107 debuted at the 2017 International CES taking place Jan. 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and was awarded with a CES Innovations Award for outstanding design and engineering in the In-Vehicle Audio/Video category.
“Apple CarPlay has been one of the most popular features with our customers and will gain even more fans with the wireless option,” said Steve Crawford, vice president and general manager, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. “We are excited to deliver the iLX-107 to provide drivers with a seamless transition of their iPhone use in and out of the vehicle without having to connect a cable.”
The iLX-107 is an AM/FM receiver with a 7-inch WVGA capacitive touch screen and LED backlighting for bright visibility. Wireless Apple CarPlay lets iPhone users make and receive calls, access text messages, play music, and get directions optimized for traffic conditions in a way that allows them to stay focused on the road. Apple CarPlay is accessed through the iLX-107’s touch screen or through Siri voice control, and the resulting music, driving directions and phone calls are played through the vehicle’s speaker system. Apple CarPlay is compatible with iPhone 5 and later, including iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and the latest version of iOS.
Once wireless Apple CarPlay has been set up, the iLX-107 will automatically search for and connect to the most frequently paired iPhone for all subsequent uses. Since the Apple CarPlay connection to the iLX-107 is wireless, there is no need to remove the iPhone from a pocket or purse to use it in the vehicle. The iLX-107 uses the 5 GHz WiFi band to optimize wireless connectivity performance.
The iLX-107 is compatible with the Alpine TuneIt® App, a free smartphone app that provides custom sound tuning for the iLX-107 and other Alpine audio systems. Other iLX-107 features include three (2V) preouts, one aux input, Alpine’s MediaXpander™ technology for improved playback of compressed media, and an input for a rear view camera system (camera system sold separately).
The iLX-107 retains select factory vehicle features when used with an iDatalink® Maestro® module (vehicle specific, sold separately). Users may also view customized vehicle information (selectable gauge screen, parking assist screen, etc.) on the 7-inch display. The retained features and customized information will vary by vehicle model.
System Expansion
Vehicle owners can also use the iLX-107 to control external accessories like a light bar, motorized tonneau cover, or winch when used with the optional KAC-001 External Accessory Controller ($250 SRI, sold separately). The KAC-001 works with up to eight relay-connected accessories which can be controlled from the iLX-107’s touch screen. A graphical icon and name can be assigned to each accessory for quick identification on the touch screen.
Alpine’s Apple CarPlay Lineup
The iLX-107 wireless Apple CarPlay system will be available in February for $900 SRI. Alpine offers five other models with wired Apple CarPlay connections, in screen sizes ranging from 7/8/9-inches and priced from $900 to $4,000 SRI. Visit the Store Locator on alpine-usa.com to find the closest authorized Alpine retailer.
