Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Audi Navigation Plus

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Audi Navigation Plus

Audi Navigation Plus is an in-car media and navigation system developed by Audi. Unlike the Audi Multi Media Interface, it can not control climate, convenience, suspension or engine settings. Audi Navigation Plus units were available mostly as an optional equipment instead of standard stereo systems.

Contents

Generations and features

Audi labeled two devices as Navigation Plus. Those units are technically known as RNS-D and RNS-E, where RNS stands for "Radio Navigation System".

RNS-D

The RNS-D device is very similar to Volkswagen MFD installed in some Volkswagen, Skoda, SEAT and Ford Galaxy cars. The devices share the same features, internal electronics, tiltable LCD screen and some elements of user interface.

Features include:

  • 5-inch 4:3 ratio LCD screen, 2-axis tiltable
  • FM/AM radio
  • CD-based GPS navigation with compass
  • Compass
  • TV Tuner (option)
  • Audio and video aux-in (option)
  • CD changer (option)
  • Firmware updates available through update CD

    • RNS-E & RNS-E 2010

    In 2004, RNS-D was replaced with the RNS-E unit, and later upgraded to RNS-E 2010.

    Features of RNS-E

    This device offered a wide range of navigation, convenience and entertainment features.

  • 6.5-inch 16:9 ratio color LCD screen with 400x240 resolution
  • FM/AM radio
  • 2 SD card slots for MP3 storage (up to 4GB each) located behind the LCD screen
  • DVD-based GPS navigation with traffic message channel support
  • Route guidance shown on DIS display
  • Multifunction steering wheel support
  • Controls and user interface very similar to Multi Media Interface
  • Rear view camera and parking sensors display (option)
  • Bluetooth handsfree system (option)
  • TV tuner (option)
  • Audio aux-in (option)
  • Satellite radio (option)
  • CD changer (option)
  • Audi Music Interface (option)
  • Firmware updates available through update CD or with maps DVD
  • User interface languages: English, German, Dutch, Italian, French, Spanish (other languages available with 3rd party updates)

    • Features of RNS-E 2010

  • Higher resolution LCD screen (800x480)
  • Support for SDHC memory cards
  • Chrome control knobs instead of plastic ones
  • MEDIA button instead of CD/TV or CD/SD

    • Engineering mode functions

    Audi RNS-E hidden menu gives access to few additional features and options. This menu was most likely used when navigation system software and hardware was developed by Audi engineers.

  • Taking screenshots to SD card
  • Using SK button as PTT (Press To Talk)
  • LCD screen test mode
  • Navigation, radio tuner and TMC diagnostics

    • Originally equipped

    Audi Navigation Plus was available in number of cars, including non-Audi models. Since Audi, SEAT and Lamborghini are owned by Volkswagen Group, RNS-E devices can be found in SEAT Exeo (optional equipment) and the Lamborghini Gallardo (standard equipment).

    RNS-E 2010 was remodeled to fit in Audi R8, but internally it's the same device.

    Retrofited

    Many car owners decided to retrofit one of the Audi Navigation Plus units in cars that were not equipped with RNS, or even not supported by the manufacturer. Since Audi cars share most of their components, it was possible to install RNS-D or RNS-E. In some cases, additional modules were needed to achieve full functionality.

    References

    Audi Navigation Plus Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA