Ferrari adds XM Radio, NavTraffic to 612 Scaglietti
The satellite radio option is about as common in new cars as the near-omnipresent AUX jack for portable music devices. You can argue that the presence of the latter essentially eliminates the need for the former, but some people like being able to tune in to a radio station where there's the outside chance of hearing songs they may not necessarily own yet. Most luxury marques, from Audi to Rolls-Royce, already have the satellite base covered. So it was a bit of a surprise to learn that Ferrari hadn't gotten into the game. That's over though, as Modena has selected XM as its extra-terrestrial radio provider of choice. The first car to get it is the 612 Scaglietti, which is fine and all, but we can't figure out why anyone would want yet another audio source to compete with the sweet music made by the car's V12. At least the NavTraffic feature can help keep the Ferrari on roads whose conditions allow it to maintain a proper pace. [Source: XM Radio]
PRESS RELEASE:
XM Announces First Ferrari Model to Feature XM Radio and XM NavTraffic
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti will Feature Standard, Factory-Equipped XM Radio and XM NavTraffic with Three Years Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XM (Nasdaq: XMSR), the
nation's leading provider of satellite radio, announced the first Ferrari
model to come with factory-installed XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic
real-time information service. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti will come
equipped with XM Radio and XM NavTraffic as standard features that will be
incorporated into the vehicle's advanced audio and navigation system.
Ferrari will include three years of XM Radio and XM NavTraffic service with
each vehicle.
"XM is now available from Ferrari, one of the most prestigious vehicle
makers in the world," said Steve Cook, executive vice president,
Automotive, XM Satellite Radio. "Now Ferrari drivers can enhance their
driving experience by discovering music and listening to sports, talk and
news on the more than 170 channels of XM Radio. XM NavTraffic also enables
Ferrari drivers to route around a jam so they can continue to enjoy the
road."
XM NavTraffic is available in 79 major U.S. markets, alerting drivers
to real-time traffic information. The data is delivered to the driver's GPS
navigation system via XM's satellite pipeline to provide information on
current traffic conditions, such as traffic speeds, accident locations, and
road closings. Where available, XM NavTraffic also provides information
that allows users to view an overlay of color-coded traffic flow
information, indicating the average speed of travel along the driver's
planned route.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
docsharp01 6:19PM (3/15/2008)
Excellent article about XM satellite radio because it is the future of broadcast communications technology.
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Satellite-Radio.html
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Kamil 5:03PM (8/09/2007)
When the Bose headunit was designed, only XM was considered as at the time it was the only one to offer the traffic info.
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sr20de 5:12PM (8/09/2007)
Hah! I didn't realize Ferrari had Bose systems in their car(s). That's weak.
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Cameron 5:13PM (8/09/2007)
Bose in a Ferrari? No thanks... I'll take an audio brand that doesn't survive on ear-tricking gimmicks and infomercials for the audio-retarded.
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Dan 5:16PM (8/09/2007)
i'd want everything removed from my ferrari for weight reduction. then again, i don't understand why anyone would buy a 612 anyway.
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Kamil 5:29PM (8/09/2007)
Bose sysems have been in Ferraris since the F360, (maybe even the 348) however those were amp and speaker systems.
With the 612, Bose has developed their first headunit which is actually pretty nice. Bose actually had to purchase a Ferrari to do that, they got some test mule 612 with a 456(?) motor or something like that. The HMI interface is really slick with the proximity switches, tho no steering wheel controls as far as I know.
Here is the info on the headunit:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/08/bose-media-system-debuts-in-ferrari-612-scaglietti/
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stbham 1:39AM (8/11/2007)
Why the debate on the quality of the sound system? It's a FERRARI. Anyone ever been within 10 feet of a Ferrari? What do you hear? Certainly not the sound system. You don't plop down this kind of cash for a cool digital sound system. If you need XM stereo, go buy a Lexus. They should put a big screen GPS in the dash slot instead of wasting it on this garbage.
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Speed Racer 8:00AM (8/10/2007)
They should put a big screen GPS in the dash slot instead of wasting it on this garbage.
Hey stbham, I think you missed something. If it offers NavTraffic then it must have a Nav System. Like Kamil says, the interface is really cool and the traffic information is a nice feature as you head for the golf course
Jaymez 6:33PM (8/09/2007)
I hate steering wheel controls. It's one reason I stick to lower trimmed vehicles. Keep buttons off my wheel!
Call back when they offer Sirius.
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David 7:00PM (8/09/2007)
Sirius and XM are merging, so it doesn't matter which of the two a car comes with really. Also Bose doesn't make good products, but if I were driving a Ferrari I wouldn't have the stereo on.
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zamafir 1:10AM (8/10/2007)
sure it does. current head units are not capable of playing what they're not branded. duh.
Billy 7:42PM (8/09/2007)
What's wrong with Bose?
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David 7:44PM (8/09/2007)
overpriced for the quality they deliver, which is saying something when they aren't really that expensive.
mxrz 7:52PM (8/09/2007)
Bose relies heavily on marketing (patented gimmicks), hype and stupid or misinformed consumers. Especially in the home audio/theater market.
Dan 9:17PM (8/09/2007)
"Sirius and XM are merging, so it doesn't matter which of the two a car comes with really."
No. They are "trying" to merge, and it does matter what Ferrari chooses, XM has Nav Traffic and other applications that are coming which sirius doesn't offer, you can't compare. :D
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titanxboss 11:08PM (8/09/2007)
Actually Sirius has a NavTraffic System out now.
fred hegel 2:10AM (8/10/2007)
you forgot to mention the fact that the ipod still doesn't deliver up to the min. news whereas you can get all the major news channels on radio.
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TigerMil 8:41AM (8/10/2007)
Nav on a Ferrari is obscene. Right up there with the morons who yap on cellphones while driving Ferraris. Still, the only thing Ferrari about the 612 is the nameplate. Let them eat cake.
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