COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data system) is an in-car communications and entertainment system found on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. COMAND features a dedicated flat display screen. It includes software features such as a GPS navigation system, address book, telephone, and radio. Various devices such as CD/DVD changers, sound system, TV receiver and the Linguatronic voice control system can be installed as additional options. The first generations of COMAND used the D2B optical network standard whereas later models are based on MOST. COMAND systems provide integration between the various functions of the car such as multimedia, navigation and telephony. On vehicles with a Mercedes-Benz rear seat entertainment system, COMAND allows the rear seat displays to play content from the front system or from local sources like composite input. On newer Mercedes models, COMAND can control other vehicle functions such as the HVAC system, seat controls, and interior lighting. COMAND was introduced first on the S-Class and CL-Class models. Later, it became available on other Mercedes cars too.
Model history
COMAND 2.5
Somewhat confusingly, COMAND 2.5 (not to be confused with the much later COMAND-APS NTG2.5) actually refers to the first generation of COMAND systems, introduced on the W220. The "2.5" label seems to refer to the fact that the main COMAND unit for this first generation had a height of 2.5 DIN. This COMAND system had a cassette drive, a built-in CD drive for the navigation map discs, an FM/AM radio tuner, a 4-channel amplifier and external connectors to other systems. The European models used Tele Atlas map discs (CD). Towards the end of 1999, the system was upgraded to use the improved DX type navigation discs. COMAND 2.5 uses a D2B optical bus for connection to the external CD changer, the telephone system, the optional Bose surround sound system and the optional Linguatronic voice control system. The COMAND 2.5 unit was made by Bosch. COMAND 2.5 was an option on almost all models and denoted by Mercedes-Benz option code 352.
COMAND 2.0/COMAND 2.0 MOPF The same COMAND 2.5 technology (with DX navigation maps) was later incorporated in a somewhat different form factor known as COMAND 2.0 (with "2.0" referring to the fact that this modified unit had a 2 DIN height), but with the cassette drive removed. These units were introduced on the W210 E-Class as rectangular units, and later introduced in a more rounded form on the W203 and R230 models, among other models. From S-Class model year 2003, COMAND 2.5 was replaced by a widescreen version of COMAND 2.0 known as COMAND 2.0 MOPF. Note that COMAND 2.5, COMAND 2.0 and COMAND 2.0 MOPF are collectively referred to as "COMAND 2" systems, despite these being the first generation COMAND systems and despite the successor being known as COMAND-APS NTG1.
COMAND-APS NTG1 This new generation of COMAND systems was introduced on the model year 2002 W211 E-class and was a complete redesign. The D2B optical ring network was replaced by MOST. The Mercedes-Benz option code became 527 (although, confusingly, COMAND 2.0 MOPF was also given this option code). These new MOST based systems were given the name COMAND-APS to distinguish them from the older D2B systems. The NTG1 system further distinguished itself from earlier models by having DVD based navigation instead of the CD based COMAND 2. This allowed a single disc to carry a whole region (such as Europe). NTG1 systems were also able to play MP3 CDs/DVDs.
COMAND-APS NTG2 The NTG2 evolution was a cheaper and more integrated version of COMAND-APS, having all core components in the single double DIN head unit instead of three separate components as had been the case with NTG1 (an audio gateway including the radio, amplifier, and MOST controller; a head unit with display; and a navigation processor) and thereby also simplifying the wiring. However, unlike NTG1 models, the NTG2 COMAND was unable to play MP3 discs. To use the navigation at the same time as listening to an audio disc requires the optional CD changer. This version of COMAND was used in various models such as the W203 C-Class and the W209 CLK and even the Vito/Viano. It was also fitted to the Smart Forfour.
COMAND-APS NTG3/NTG3.5
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