OpenR Link 3.2.0

The electric Scenic inaugurates a major new version of OpenR Link. From mid-2024 onwards, all vehicles will be progressively factory-built directly with this version. In this article, I present the new features.

You can find all software versions and FOTA update on ➡️ this page.

The first major change in this version is the switch from version 10 to version 12 of Android Automotive. Renault has taken advantage of this change to bring a number of new features, as you’ll see below.

The good news is that cars already built with an integrated Google Maps version (unfortunately not for the others), will receive this new version via a Fota update, with nothing to do (well, yes: you’ll have to validate the installation when the car display it!). No precise date from Renault today, but I’ve been promised it’s coming soon.

However, some of the new features presented below will only be available on vehicles built directly in the factory with this new version. Fortunately for vehicles receiving the update via Fota, they’ll still benefit from many new features!

For each new feature I will indicate, as soon as I have the information, whether or not the new feature will arrive via the update for vehicles built before mid-2024 with this icon set:

✅: The feature will be available via the FOTA update for older vehicles.

❌: The new feature will not be available via the FOTA update for older vehicles.

New features:

The new design is immediately noticeable (❌). The graphic theme is much more colorful, especially on the cluster with that diagonal intended to recall the Renault logo. We’re moving from (too?) sober meters to more assertively styled ones. But that’s just design, since the operating logic remains the same.

For cars with a 9-inch landscape screen (small screen on Austral, Espace, Megane), the navigation buttons that were on the upper part are now on the driver’s side (✅), as seen on the 10-inch versions of the new R5 and Master.

New home page widgets

A phone widget (✅) for easier hanging up. A shortcut in the top right-hand corner takes you directly to the device manager. Handy for easily changing the phone connected for telephony, Bluetooth audio streaming and Android Auto/ Carplay.

In the Device Manager, Android Auto/Carplay deactivation for a phone finally works (✅).

In the audio widget, there’s the addition of a shortcut to easily change audio sources (✅).

There’s also the addition of a new widget with vehicle shortcuts (non-editable shortcuts) (✅) and Safety Score (❌).

In the notifications panel, there’s a shortcut to change screen brightness on the fly, and 3 shortcuts for vehicle functions (✅). These shortcuts are not editable and depend on the car model.

There are also 3 shortcuts to activate/deactivate WiFi, Bluetooth and sound (✅).

Big development concerning Android Auto/Carplay: replication of the map in the meters, like OpenR-Link’s embedded Google Maps (✅). Today, only Google Maps with Android Auto and Apple Maps with Carplay work (so no Waze). But Renault told me that it was up to the publishers to update their navigation Apps (Waze, TomTom…) to make them compatible, so there’s no technical limitation, good news! So now we need to put pressure on Waze, TomTom and Sygic to propose an update.

Cluster

There are 2 changes in the cluster. Before, we had navigation arrows on all counter views. With this new version it’s the same design as Google Maps whatever view you select (❌ I think…).

A new cluster widget : autonomy for electric vehicles (❌). This widget recalls the estimated autonomy based on driving the last 60 kilometers. But it adds 2 important clarifications: the max autonomy if you only drive in town, or the minimum autonomy which corresponds to a freeway journey in winter. A very welcome widget for electric vehicles.

I also noticed an icon for speed radar zones in the meters, with an audible alert (airport jingle style) that can fortunately be deactivated in the options (❌ I think).

Media

Big evolution concerning the Radio, we have a single list for FM and DAB, whereas before we chose the FM or DAB source with separate station lists (✅). The system automatically selects the best technology according to reception level. There’s an option to enable/disable this function.

Charge programming

Reorganization of charge and preconditioning programming screens (✅). Note that you can now set the departure time, i.e. the time you want the vehicle to be ready.

For electric vehicles with an electric seat, you can switch to a “relax” position at standstill to relax while your vehicle is being charged (❌).