January 6th 2015
Alpine Electronics Expands 8-Inch Restyle Dash Program to Include Ram Truck and Cadillac Escalade Platforms
Torrance, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2015) - Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. announced the expansion of its Alpine Restyle program for the X008U 8-inch Restyle dash system at the 2015 International CES, taking place Jan. 6-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The company unveiled new dash kit systems for Ram trucks and the Cadillac Escalade, in addition to a new 6.1-inch AVN system.
The X008U Restyle dash system is an 8-inch touch screen with an audio, video and navigation feature set. It is compatible with vehicle-specific dash kits that come packaged with all the needed accessories for the plug-and-play installation of the X008U. The KTX-RPU8 for 2013-Up Ram trucks and the KTX-ESD8 for the 2007-2014 Cadillac Escalade are the newest models to join the Alpine Restyle kit lineup.
“We are pleased with the success of the X008U and its adaptability to various truck and SUV platforms through the Alpine Restyle dash kit program,” said Steve Crawford, vice president and general manager, aftermarket business unit, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. “We are committed to giving truck and SUV drivers a large screen, integrated AVN solution that matches their vehicle.”
Alpine is the only aftermarket manufacturer offering a robust lineup of audio/video/navigation (AVN) systems available in four screen sizes. The currently available X009 9-inch Restyle dash system comes in eight variations for full size trucks and SUVs. The INE-W957HD has the same features as the X008U but with a 7-inch screen and is in the market now. Rounding out the lineup is the new INE-W960 with a 6.1-inch screen.
Alpine Restyle Dash Kit Solutions
Alpine Restyle dash kit solutions give the X008U’s 8-inch screen a seamless fit into the dash of numerous trucks and SUVs. Each kit is designed to match the shape, color and texture of the vehicle’s interior. The Alpine Restyle dash kits come with an Alpine/vehicle-specific harness, antenna adapter (if necessary), Alpine-specific steering wheel interface, and BUS adapter (if necessary).
iDatalink® Compatibility
The X008U and INE-W957HD retain many of the factory features through compatibility with the iDatalink® Maestro module (sold separately). Examples of factory features that can be retained through the X008U and INE-W957HD include: OnStar® from GM, SYNC® from Ford, Uconnect® from Chrysler, SiriusXM, factory amplified system, rear seat entertainment system, rear view camera, and steering wheel controls. Users can choose customized vehicle information (diagnostic data, gauge screen, parking assist screen, etc.) to be viewed on the screen (retained features and customized vehicle information vary by vehicle model).
Alpine TuneIt App for Sound Tuning
The X008U and INE-W957HD are compatible with the Alpine TuneIt App. This free smartphone app is an easy-to-use sound tuning app which offers Facebook notifications. Users download the app onto their iPhone® or Android™ smartphone and create a user profile with information about themselves, their vehicle, and their Alpine sound system. The app allows for adjustments to sound settings (like Time Correction, Parametric EQ and Crossover) for their specific vehicle, or users can choose from the pre-made settings in the database. Alpine speakers and subwoofers are available as options in the database so if users have these items in their vehicle, they can be selected within the app for more precise tuning of the audio system. Settings can be shared with and rated by other users. The phone only needs to be connected when downloading the sound setting into the Alpine receiver; this connection can be done through USB for iPhone®, or through Bluetooth® wireless technology with a compatible Android™ smartphone.
Users are informed of incoming activity on their Facebook wall through an on-screen pop-up notice. A separate version of the Alpine TuneIt App with a text-to-speech (TTS) feature is available for $3.99. If the user has this version of the app and chooses to accept the Facebook notification, the Alpine TuneIt App will read the message back via text-to-speech. The user has the option to “Like” the message through the press of a button.
Audio Features
Audio features available on the AVN systems include:
Video and Navigation Features
The AVN systems each have a full WVGA high-resolution screen for crisp, detailed picture quality. They have dual zone video control, which lets drivers use a source in the dash while the back seat passengers enjoy a separate video on the rear seat screen (optional screen sold separately). The X008U and INE-W957HD have HDMI inputs, allowing for connectivity to a wide variety of HDMI-enabled devices (MHL cable sold separately).
Alpine’s proprietary navigation interface includes pre-loaded maps of the United States, Canada and more than seven million Points of Interest (POIs). Major landmarks, buildings and terrain details are depicted in 3D. Driving directions are delivered through text-to-speech announcements and the highway services list displays the services available at each exit (gas, food, ATMs, etc.) to help drivers make quick decisions while en route. The X008U and INE-W957HD come with free lifetime HERE traffic information service.
Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Features
All systems have Alpine’s advanced Bluetooth® wireless technology. Convenient features include secure simple pairing (SSP); phone battery, cellular signal level and received message icons; as well as call waiting. Sound quality features include MediaXpander® technology, improved audio streaming, and enhanced phone call sound quality. All models come with a separate microphone that can be mounted near the driver’s mouth for optimized sound quality.
Enhanced “My Favorites” Customizable Settings
All AVN systems come with the “My Favorites” feature, which lets users customize quick-access screens with shortcuts to their most-used features. Two separate users can each design as many as ten Favorites page profiles of eight shortcuts per page. Shortcuts can be created from audio sources, destinations, navigation commands (favorite places direct search, nearest POI search), and phone settings (favorite person direct call). The shortcuts are simply added by pressing the shortcut soft key that appears within all audio and hands-free sources. The Alpine system recognizes each user’s profile (via Bluetooth® wireless technology from his or her smartphone) and automatically loads the user’s system preferences when he or she starts the system.
The Alpine systems are available at authorized Alpine retailers, visit www.alpine-usa.com for a store locator.
X008U 8-inch Restyle Dash System
INE-W957HD 7-inch AVN System
INE-W960 6.1-inch AVN System
Alpine Restyle Dash Kit Solutions for the X008U 8-inch AVN system
The following dash kits are available now at authorized Alpine retailers:
Notice: Product information is based upon current information at the time of press, but cannot be guaranteed. All designs, features, specifications and delivery dates are subject to change without notice.
MediaXpander is a registered trademark of Alpine Electronics, Inc. PANDORA, the PANDORA logo, and the Pandora trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pandora Media, Inc., used with permission. Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries. “HD Radio” is a trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation. iPod®, iPhone®, and Made for iPod® and iPhone® are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Alpine Electronics, Inc. is under license. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. iDatalink is a trademark of Automotive Data Solutions, Inc. Cadillac, Escalade, Chevrolet, Silverado and OnStar® are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. Ford, F-150, Super Duty, Navigator and Expedition and SYNC® are registered trademarks of Ford Motors Corporation. Uconnect® is a registered trademark of Chrysler Group LLC. Toyota, Tundra and Tacoma are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
About Alpine Electronics
Alpine Electronics is an automotive electronics manufacturer that provides consumers and leading auto makers with audio, video, navigation and driver assistance products. The company specializes in system integration solutions with innovative vehicle entertainment and information technologies.
Alpine’s R&D and manufacturing facilities in Japan, China, Europe and North America ensure that all products address the real world requirements of drivers in each market. The company is committed to developing safe, comfortable and eco-friendly automotive electronics products.
For more information about Alpine’s aftermarket products, visit www.alpine-usa.com.
Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.