Modern car interiors without any infotainment

"Kar Wai Wong" (kingawesome467) 02/20/2019 at 11:35 • Filed to: Infotainment systems, Interior, Interiors, infotainment, Screen, Radio, Radios, Touchscreens

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While I was reading David Tracy’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! a while back, he mentioned how base models don’t get an infotainment screen. And I was mindblown ! The idea that any car designed in the current age would be available without any screen or even a radio couldn’t comprehend with my mind. Than I rushed to the Volkswagen site to the Polo configurator and found...nothing. You have to get it with a radio. Then I tried the German site, and there it was!

A car, designed and sold from 2017, with no radio! Which will soon be a weird sight in the US with mandated backup camera laws. Yeah, alot of these super base model trims seem to be be German only, I guess that’s why I never heard of them before. Not just because VW is German, the UK built (*ahem*) Civic hatchback for example comes with touchscreens as standard in England, France and Spain, but Germany you can get it with no screen. There may be more, but hey, I’m not going to check. Also, I found that’s also the case with Japan, a ton of JDM cars have the infotainment as an option. Anyways, here’s what I found. This is not a comprehensive list, just a decently sized selection. Oh yeah, and Porsche is way too easy.

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The up! is one of the few modern cars without any option for a screen whatsoever, but this is still weird looking.

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Nearly skipped past this one, it actually looks as if they removed the double din and forgot to replace it.

Audi A1

I thought not even the German Big 3 would stoop so low, but for the ultimate badge snob, your chariot is waiting.

Opel Astra

What a weird shape. Interestingly, the smaller cheaper Adam, Karl and Corsa models don’t have such option.

smart fortwo

It’s a frog! I appreciate the fact they bothered to design a cubby for such a weirdly shaped dash.

Fiat 500

Fiat Panda

Ford Ka+

FORD!

Ford Fiesta

It looks like someone removed the screen, leaving the base it screws onto.

Citroën C3

Doesn’t that steering wheel scream premium!

Renault Twingo

Coulda used up all that space, but nah! Let’s just have half!

Renault Captur

This is not the right time for contrasting colours!

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Update: HOW COULD I FORGET! You’d think Dacia would be the first brand you’d check, but I completely forgot.

Honda Civic

Something’s missing here.

Mitsubishi Mirage

OH YOU THOUGHT THE MIRAGE WAS BASIC ALREADY.

Subaru Impreza

2 out of 3 displays isn’t bad I guess....

Subaru WRX

I wasn’t sure whether to look at the base models or the higher performance specs for this one. Surprised this was never offered any where else, screen deletes make sense in performance cars after all.

Subaru Legacy

Ugly as it is, nice of those that leave the empty space as a cubby, instead of covering it with a plastic plate. Cheaper too!

Suzuki Ignis

This has got to be one of the most egregious ones. It’s literally a piece of useless plastic slapped on the dash.

Toyota Aygo

Ooh! A shelf! Luxury! Seriously, this interior is abysmal looking, and I don’t take that lightly.

Toyota Yaris

Anyone for KitKat?

Toyota Prius

The electric hybrid with no electrics.

Toyota Camry

i like the juxtaposition here.

Toyota Land Cruiser

Seriously, UN spec plastic grille and steelie Land Cruiser GX models in Oceania come with a standard radio, what’s going on here!

Toyota 86

You may have heard of this one, the 86 RC, aimed at tuners.

For Sweden > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:39

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Do they have speakers?

random001 > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:41

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Fiat 500?

MonkeePuzzle > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:41

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TysMagic > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:43

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Next challenge, how many also do not include AC with the no radio option? 

facw > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:46

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Yep, as you note, the back cam requirement  means there’s no chance you see any of these in the states, and I’m pretty sure CoFL said that Canada has a similar rule, though his Forte was built before it went into effect.

Kar Wai Wong > random001 02/20/2019 at 11:47

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Ah I missed it! I think I automatically checked the Italian and Polish sites, but never German.

random001 > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:50

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I remember being shocked that it was an option.

ranwhenparked > facw 02/20/2019 at 11:50

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Well, I suppose you could put a screen in the rear view mirror for the backup cam, but that would probably be more expensive than just sticking a tiny display in the area already wired for one.

ranwhenparked > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:53

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I would love to be able to get a totally stripped down Charger, or even a MINI - vinyl seats, rubber floor mats, dog dish hubcaps, no radio, no a/c, wind up windows, etc. Wonder how much you could shave off the price? 

CaptDale - is secretly British > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:54

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I fucking love this! What about a 911 or a Corvette?

Urambo Tauro > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:54

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What I want to know is, is there any room behind those screens, so that the empty space could be used as a storage cubby?

and 100 more > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:57

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So clean, so calm...

jimz > For Sweden 02/20/2019 at 11:57

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sometimes. I’ve been involved in competitive benchmarking, and on occasion we’ve received vehicles with “radio delete.” some of them had a foam/plastic closeout piece stuck over the speaker mounting hole, others actually had speakers installed. I guess the speakers were cheap enough it wasn’t worth tooling up a closeout applique.

but you do have to have something  there else water will make its way into the cabin. 

facw > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 11:57

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Out of curiosity, did you check trucks/vans? I’d imagine there are plenty of fleet vehicle types that would omit infotainment if possible (which is probably not much in the US, though in theory it looks like an F-350 could be ex empted for being over the 10,000 lbs GVWR limit for backup cams).

facw > ranwhenparked 02/20/2019 at 12:00

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Yeah, it seems like at that point it just makes sense to add in the infotainment, especially since one of the reasons that car makers didn’t fight the backup cam requirements is that the vast majority of buyers want something with a screen anyway.

For Sweden > jimz 02/20/2019 at 12:00

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I thought they might have a token audio-in jack.

jimz > For Sweden 02/20/2019 at 12:01

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still would need an amplifier of some sort. at that point just put the radio back in. 

Kar Wai Wong > MonkeePuzzle 02/20/2019 at 12:04

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Already a thing on some vans.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 12:05

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Ram 1500/2500/3500.

Trucks are backup camera exempt so the Tradesman comes with a basic 1990's AM/FM radio by default.

jimz > facw 02/20/2019 at 12:05

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you can get radio delete on E-350, but it seems like you can’t on the F-250-450.  

Kar Wai Wong > facw 02/20/2019 at 12:06

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I did check a few, and perhaps unsurprisingly, nearly all of them had no infotainment in the base trims, so I made a conscious decision to not include any, as this list will just be 50% vans.

With the backup camera rule, I never bothered checking any A merican configurators .

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 12:10

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The giant screens stuffed in the dash is one of the big reasons I won’t buy a new vehicle.

Mercedes Streeter > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 12:13

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Fun Facts: In the 451 smart fortwo the radio is an option for pure models in the US as well. This is what you get without it.

kanadanmajava1 > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 12:18

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This is not the same thing but Microsoft’s problems with integrating Internet Explorer with Windows OS ended up as some fines. It would be pretty interesting if vehicle industry would be prohibited from integrating the infotainment system so that 3rd party systems cannot be easily installed.

We would get more of these.

Kar Wai Wong > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/20/2019 at 12:20

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Like I said in the beginning, Porsches were too easy. AFAIK the screen delete option hasn’t been shown off for the 992, but I assure you it will almost definitely be a thing.   As for Corvette, I never bothered checking, due American backup camera rules. Quick check on the German site reveals compulsory screens , unsurprising they would make any region specific options for such a minor market.

Kar Wai Wong > TysMagic 02/20/2019 at 12:23

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R adio delete isn’t really an option for most of these, these are all the base models sans the JDM ones, so see for yourself!

CaptDale - is secretly British > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 12:25

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Didn’t see the Porsche note above. And also F*ck backup cameras. 

ttyymmnn > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 12:32

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I went to my Honda dealership the other day, since we are looking to get something new/used in the next few months (more like used). The salesperson knew more about the infotainment than about the nuts and bolts of the vehicles. It was the first thing she talked about. I had to remind her that I’m currently driving a 2003 Odyssey. No screens in there. I know it’s a huge selling point these days for people who couldn’t care less about the actual vehicle, they are instead mesmerized by the glowing screen on the dashboard and whether or not they can use Spotify on it. Me? Give me a solid car, maybe Bluetooth, and I’m a happy camper. 

ttyymmnn > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/20/2019 at 12:33

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I’m teaching my son to drive. When he backs out of the driveway, his eyes go straight to the camera. I keep telling him to use the camera to see if there is anything like a bike or a kid directly behind the vehicle, then get your eyes outside the car and learn to use your mirrors. I might even cover it when we start working on backing up. It’s an aid, not a crutch. 

Kar Wai Wong > ranwhenparked 02/20/2019 at 12:36

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Now how do I get this finicky lightbar off!

412GTI > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 12:40

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This is awesome! The Audi has to be my favorite..virtual cockpit with no radio. Like why lmao? 

CaptDale - is secretly British > ttyymmnn 02/20/2019 at 12:40

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Exactly! It can’t tell you if anyone is coming down the street or parking row. It is there to make sure you don’t hit something small or what ever. Not to be your vision. 

ttyymmnn > CaptDale - is secretly British 02/20/2019 at 12:45

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I looked at a new Odyssey the other day. Interestingly, they ditched the sideview mirror cam in favor of a blind spot warning light. However, they did add side cameras at the rear so you can see to either side when backing out of a space. I can see how that might be helpful. However, my solution to that problem is to back into the space, which I almost always do. 

Merfthemadmauler > ranwhenparked 02/20/2019 at 13:27

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It would probably   cost more.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 13:30

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My Ford Transit cargo doesn’t have an infotainment screen. The backup camera view is displayed in the rear view mirror. Which looks a bit odd since I have no rear windows.

bhtooefr > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 13:46

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As I understand it, the reason for it on Toyotas in Japan is that they offer a bunch of different radio models.

So, they give you a hole in the dash, and the dealer installs the radio. (As I understand, the Prius, as an example, doesn’t even have a factory-installed radio option, other than the 11.6" screen option (not sure if that’s available in the regular Prius in Japan now, IIRC it is now in the US for the facelift).)

Or, because Toyota is so big in Japan, their 200 mm wide variation on double-DIN is well-supported by the aftermarket, so you just get the car without a radio, drive over to a parts store, and buy a radio.

Or, if you really don’t want a radio, the dealer can install that blanking plate.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 13:48

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I like how on the 86 they don’t even bother to give you the dash panels.

WilliamsSW > ranwhenparked 02/20/2019 at 13:50

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So, basically you’re looking for this? It’s even more bare bones than you asked for - no mats, no heater.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > ranwhenparked 02/20/2019 at 14:01

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asia motors on the northwest side of chicago specializes in selling old cop cars including the V8 Caprices and Chargers. and the police charges come with AWD too

ranwhenparked > WilliamsSW 02/20/2019 at 14:52

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Yes, that would do nicely . But with a factory warranty, please.

Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 14:57

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this is very unsettling specially the ones we do g et here

Svend > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 15:03

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I’ve only twice come across cars with no radios and they were both brand new just PDI’d BMWs. Apparently BMW did or does omit the radio as it’s an range option for the buyer to select. But here in the U.K. other than those BMWs, every car I’ve come across had a radio fitted as standard even if it was a very basic mono chrome screen with no colour or touchscreen.

Kar Wai Wong > Svend 02/20/2019 at 15:32

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So the 2 PDI BMWs have screens ? Were they F30s? I have to know more!

Svend > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 15:44

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No, just empty spaces with a couple of un-used radio connectors visible, this was a few years ago when I worked at a car dealership.

These were very late BMW E46s. I worked at a Ford dealership but the BMW dealership needed a hand signing off a load of new BMWs as in the U.K., new licence plates are issued every six months (1st of March and 1st of September), each year and people time their new car to have the newest plate (I missed the date this year as Skoda managed to get the car sooner than expected so Sandy will have a —68—- licence plate rather than a —19—- plate).

WilliamsSW > ranwhenparked 02/20/2019 at 15:52

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That might be a problem. And safety features? LOLNOPE.

That particular car has no power anything, no automatic anything, no heater, no radio, no seatbelts.  It does have some motor though.

ranwhenparked > WilliamsSW 02/20/2019 at 16:14

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Which is kind of fine with me, but, basically no one else. 

Kar Wai Wong > Svend 02/20/2019 at 16:21

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So kinda like this?

Fascinating.

Svend > Kar Wai Wong 02/20/2019 at 16:27

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Pretty much though it had all the other trim pieces around it.

I remember asking a colleague why it was missing a radio and was told that car doesn’t come with a radio and the buyer options one when ordering to be put in from the range of radios available. Why the radio wasn’t just put in at the factory and left to the dealership to install instead, I have no idea.

dogisbadob > Kar Wai Wong 02/23/2019 at 02:00

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This is awesome

Deltatango > Kar Wai Wong 02/24/2019 at 11:15

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I think no-one ever is buying the basic model. I think t he only reason they exist is to state a low base price. Especially if you browse through the extremely long options lists on the German websites for German cars.

BabaRossa > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 03/05/2020 at 15:06

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Right. I cant see out of the car at night  with all the shit glaring in my eyes. I think that the screens should be illegal. Like texting and driving.