Special Report: Vehicle Entertainment/Communication

Innovative Communication and Entertainment Systems

2006 Chrysler Group Vehicles Provide a Safe and Enjoyable Driving Environment

  • UConnect gives customers freedom and flexibility
  • Navigation systems provide easy destination routing
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio delivers continuous entertainment and information
  • Rear-seat entertainment makes riding experience more enjoyable
Auburn Hills, Mich. October 12, 2005 -

The 2006 Chrysler Group vehicles provide a safe and enjoyable driving environment, allowing customers to personalize their vehicles with the features they want.
 
UConnect™ Hands-Free Communication System
The UConnect Hands-Free Communication System uses Bluetooth® technology to provide wireless communication between the customer's compatible cellular telephone and the vehicle's on-board receiver. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless networking technology that is used to connect two or more devices together.
 
"As the number of drivers using cell phones increases, hands-free, voice-activated technology is one way to connect a driver to a cell-phone call more safely,” said Mike Kane, Director – Feature Innovation and Advanced Technology Strategy, Chrysler Group. “Chrysler Group was the first North American automaker to offer customers a Bluetooth-enabled phone application for their vehicle."
 
The factory-installed version allows the audio to be heard through the vehicle's radio speakers, with controls and microphones housed in the rearview mirror to serve as the driver interface. UConnect factory installation is $275 and is available on almost all Chrysler Group products.
 
UConnect features the following benefits:

  • Voice dialing – voice commands can be used to digit-dial the phone or access pre-stored voice tags
  • Audio address book – enables customers to store up to 32 names, four numbers per name, for a total of 128 different phone numbers
  • Emergency calls and towing assistance – this feature dials 911 or towing assistance at customer voice command
  • Audio-system mute – enables muting of the microphone for privacy
  • Call transfer – allows the customer to transfer a call from the vehicle's system to the mobile phone
  • UConnect can communicate in three languages – features English, French and Spanish language capabilities
  • Multiphone recognition – up to seven phones can be used within one vehicle's system

UConnect is also available as a dealer-installed option. Dealer installation is $299 (suggested retail price), plus labor, and is available on all Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® vehicles.
 
Navigation Radio System
Chrysler Group is the first automotive manufacturer to offer MP3 music format playback capability in a navigation system, allowing customers to listen to their favorite MP3 tunes on CD. This capability is available on Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, Charger, Ram and Durango. 
 
All Chrysler Group navigation systems are DVD-based and work with the vehicle's audio system to deliver intuitive commands, allowing the driver's eyes to stay on the road. The system utilizes voice and on-screen directions to guide the user through the drive route — mile-by-mile, turn-by-turn — until the final destination is reached. Destinations can be entered into the system 10 different ways, and the screen can be viewed as a detailed map or enlarged to display turn-by-turn directions. A joystick allows the user to scroll through the navigation menus and icons quickly and effortlessly. However, certain tasks are limited or unavailable while the vehicle is in motion to minimize driver distraction.
 
The navigation system features a DVD containing mapping, points of interest and business phone numbers across the U.S. without subscription fees. When a destination is entered, the navigation system uses data from the DVD to quickly calculate the route, providing information within 10 seconds.
 
The navigation system features:

  • Map zoom – select from nine different zoom scales to increase or decrease map magnification
  • Voice guidance – choose from maximum, normal, minimum or off
  • Route guidance – view the screen as a turn-by-turn map, a full-display map or a combination of both
  • Three-language option – English, French or Spanish can be selected; preferences for display are in miles or kilometers
  • Five routing methods – convenient navigation options include shortest route, quickest route, minimize toll roads, maximize freeway and minimize freeway
  • Automatic route recalculation and detour functions – the system automatically recalculates the position and displays a new route should the user encounter a detour or stray from the directions indicated on the display monitor
  • Maneuver list – allows review of the trip itinerary prior to departure and the ability to make changes before heading out on the road
  • Trail function – provides the ability to obtain longitude, latitude and altitude information

SIRIUS Satellite Radio
SIRIUS provides Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep customers with more than 120 streams of the best music, entertainment and information, coast-to-coast. SIRIUS offers 60 music streams of commercial-free music along with 60 world-class sports, news and entertainment streams, 24 hours a day. Regional traffic and weather reports are also included.
 
Customers will be able to scan channels or select pre-set buttons for favorite channels. Selections can also be made both by music category and channel, which will be displayed on the radio screen.
 
The Chrysler Group offers SIRIUS Satellite Radio as both a dealer- and factory-installed feature. Factory installation is offered at $195 (suggested retail price) and includes a one-year SIRIUS subscription. The suggested retail price for the dealer installation is $299, plus labor, in addition to a SIRIUS subscription rate of $12.95 per month.
 
Rear-Seat Entertainment System
Chrysler Group rear-seat entertainment systems are easy to use, providing customers with a variety of media choices. Chrysler Group was one of the first to offer rear-seat video, where take rates on some vehicles are nearing 40 percent.
 
A 7-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) color monitor screen mounted in the rear overhead console or 6-inch center console display supports both 3x4 and 16x9 video formats. Also included are a remote control and two wireless headsets.
 
Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee include multimode capability, providing rear-seat occupants access to all entertainment media in the vehicle including AM/FM radio, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, CD, MP3 and more.
 
Chrysler Group vehicles are equipped with auxiliary jacks that allow videogame consoles to be plugged into the vehicle or screen and played by the rear-seat occupants.
 
DVD capability in vehicles is growing in popularity and expanding into more vehicle segments: It is one of the fastest growing segments in automotive electronics. Today's take rates on sport-utility vehicles and minivans range from 15 to 40 percent.
 
"Chrysler Group's vehicle-communications strategy places an emphasis on creating a safe-driving environment through practical innovations, while enabling customers to choose the features they want," said Kane. "It's all about simplicity, safety, freedom and flexibility."




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