Mercedes-Benz announced the StreetPilot III, a portable navigation system, for its A-Class and B-Class vehicles. It's listed as an "original accessory retrofit," which appears to mirror the kind of portable-but-integrated solution that Smart is offering on its ForTwo models. Like that system, the StreetPilot III sounds its directions through the car stereo speakers (which doesn't normally happen with regular portable navigation devices). It also mutes the radio output automatically whenever it has something new to say.

The StreetPilot III comes with a unique holder that sits directly above the instrument panel without the use of suction cup holders on the windshield. The unit itself offers 3-D and zoom-able maps, auto-switching for the best view when turning, as well as a night mode, a 4.3-inch TFT display, and a depth of 0.8 inches. It features a built-in MP3 player and a Bluetooth interface, and includes text-to-speech functionality for announcing the proper names of exits and street names.

I'd like to see systems like this offered here; right now there's a fairly huge disconnect in the U.S. between what car manufacturers are charging for integrated navigation systems (in the realm of $1500) and what top-quality portable navigation units cost (in the realm of $300).

Source: Daimler Global Media