Mercedes-Benz CLA45 Ambient Lighting Review — Enhanced Interior L

Elevate Your Mercedes-Benz CLA45 with a Smart Monitor and Moving Ambient Lighting

The Mercedes-Benz CLA45 is a sports sedan that masterfully blends a compact, agile body with formidable performance. Its interior, in particular, exudes a sense of premium luxury. At Today's Car Gangnam, we recently enhanced this already impressive vehicle with a custom tuning package featuring a smart monitor and moving ambient lighting, designed to amplify the CLA45's inherent strengths. This upgrade is perfect for CLA45 owners seeking a more modern and technologically advanced cabin experience. This article details the installation process and the stunning results.

Transforming the CLA45's Infotainment with a High-Definition Smart Monitor

While Mercedes-Benz vehicles boast excellent factory navigation systems, there's often a desire for more. The limitations of fixed screens and restricted functionality can be a drawback for drivers accustomed to the dynamic capabilities of smartphones. For the CLA45, equipped with the NTG navigation system, a key advantage is its modular monitor structure, allowing for upgrades. We installed the Q-BIG10 monitor from Korean manufacturer Qdis. This unit offers a crystal-clear 1920x720p high-resolution display and a 10.25-inch widescreen format that integrates seamlessly into the original dashboard location. Crucially, all original vehicle functions are preserved, ensuring the Mercedes-Benz identity remains intact while significantly enhancing the visual and functional experience.

Unlocking Android Capabilities with the Q-RoyaleX Set-Top Box

A smarter display is just the beginning. By pairing the new monitor with the Q-RoyaleX set-top box, the CLA45 truly transforms into a connected vehicle. Powered by Android 10 and featuring a Hexa-core CPU, the Q-RoyaleX delivers tablet-like performance within the car. The transition between the original Mercedes interface and the Android system is remarkably smooth. A simple press of the original screen toggle button switches you to the Q-RoyaleX interface, and another press returns you to the factory display, creating a unified and intuitive user experience. This allows for the free installation and use of popular applications such as TMAP, Kakao Map, Netflix, YouTube, and Melon directly on the car's screen. Once connected to Wi-Fi, your favorite content is readily available.

How it works:

1. The Q-RoyaleX set-top box is connected to the vehicle's existing NTG system.
2. The new Q-BIG10 monitor replaces the factory screen, providing a larger, higher-resolution display.
3. Seamless switching between the original Mercedes-Benz interface and the Android-based Q-RoyaleX is enabled via the original screen control button.
4. Wi-Fi connectivity allows for app downloads and streaming services.

Enhanced Multitasking and Multimedia Enjoyment

One of the standout features of the Q-RoyaleX is its Picture-in-Picture (PIP) capability. This allows you to view the original navigation alongside the Q-RoyaleX interface simultaneously. Activating PIP is as simple as pressing and holding the original rotary dial. Furthermore, the Q-RoyaleX itself supports split-screen functionality, enabling you to run two Android applications concurrently. Imagine navigating to your destination while simultaneously controlling your music playback – the possibilities for in-car entertainment are vastly expanded. This system is ideal for long journeys, providing access to streaming services like YouTube and Netflix during breaks or while waiting. Audio is routed through the car's existing speaker system via AUX input, delivering immersive sound without the need for additional speakers.

Dramatic Interior Ambiance with Moving Ambient Lighting

While the smart monitor and set-top box upgrade the CLA45's functionality, the moving ambient lighting system elevates its aesthetic appeal. This advanced interior LED system transforms the cabin's atmosphere, offering a dynamic and customizable lighting experience. Unlike static ambient lighting, the moving effects create a sense of depth and sophistication. The system can be programmed with various color palettes and animation sequences, allowing owners to match the lighting to their mood or driving style. The integration is meticulous, ensuring the LEDs are subtly incorporated into the vehicle's trim, enhancing the premium feel without appearing aftermarket. This ambient lighting upgrade adds a final, captivating layer to the CLA45's already luxurious interior, making every drive a more immersive and visually engaging experience.