Hyundai has included a way for consumers to hear Pandora through their in-dash stereos in the 2012 Veloster.
The automaker joins others such as BMW, Toyota, Mini, Ford and Mercedes who are offering Pandora links to the dash now or have said they will this year.
Hyundai announced the spec of the new vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show this week. The coupe features Hyundai Blue Link, a telematics system similar to Ford’s Sync and Toyota’s Entune. It provides the interface between the car and user to link a smartphone to the vehicle so the person can use Pandora Internet Radio in the car.
The in-dash 7-inch touch-screen has a Pandora icon to stream Internet radio from an iPhone, Android or Blackberry. Veloster drivers can use Gracenote to organize song metadata from their music collection and create playlists with a button or voice command.
The automaker, like others at the recent CES, is touting a hands-free communications system as a key to combat driver distraction.
“Blue Link combines safety, service and infotainment into a complete package that works to both help simplify Hyundai owners’ lives and reduce distracted driving,” stated Barry Ratzlaff of Hyundai Motor America.
Veloster is available with two audio systems. Standard is an AM/FM/satellite radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six-speakers and iPod/USB/auxiliary input jacks. Hyundai also offers a premium system with eight speakers, including an eight-inch subwoofer and external amplifier. An XM Satellite Radio interface is integrated into the head unit and features channel logos and XM Data services, such as XM NavWeather, XM Stock Ticker and XM Sports Ticker.
Hyundai integrated a USB jack, RCA jack and 115-volt power outlet in Veloster to support gaming consoles for gaming sessions when the vehicle is parked.
