Currently, there are no development plans for the RSNAV S6. The production of the S5 North American LTE modem equipped motherboard has ended, but we still have an ample supply of S5 EU motherboards in stock. Furthermore, software upgrades and improvements for the S5 will continue for the next few years.
RSNAV is currently shifting its business direction from manufacturing Audi aftermarket infotainment (navigation) screens to producing Audi aftermarket instrument clusters. This transition is due to the following reasons:
- Performance and OS Limitations: The S5 still offers more than enough performance as a standard infotainment device. While customers naturally prefer the latest CPUs and Android versions, this is largely a numbers game on the spec sheet. The current CPU performance is already more than sufficient. Additionally, as the Android operating system continues to update, it has become quite unsuitable for automotive use. Android was originally designed for mobile phones and tablets, and the strict security policies of the latest Android versions severely hinder integration with vehicle systems.
- Market Shifts and Component Costs: RAM and ROM prices have surged due to the AI boom, while demand continues to decrease. Today, almost all new vehicles come standard with large screens that support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The number of Audi vehicles requiring a navigation upgrade is steadily declining. The S5 remains an attractive option for customers who still need an upgrade, but the necessity for a new hardware device beyond the S5 does not seem to be justified.
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Technological Maturity and Market Demand: RSNAV's technical capabilities have matured enough to manufacture instrument clusters, a component where reliability is the absolute priority. Additionally, instrument clusters do not require the high-end CPUs, large RAM, or extensive storage capacities that infotainment devices demand. Furthermore, while many current Chinese aftermarket instrument clusters are being shunned by customers due to their subpar quality, numerous Audi enthusiasts still strongly desire a proper, well-made instrument cluster. Specifically, there is a demand for a reliable device capable of accurately displaying the warnings and notifications of the original instrument cluster just as the factory unit does. RSNAV is currently developing a fully realized device to meet these exact expectations.
The S5 remains the only Audi infotainment screen equipped with a top-tier Texas Instruments reference analog sound circuit and pure digital SPDIF output support. Paired with the MOST Audiogateway, which will soon be available through crowdfunding, you can achieve an optimal digital music playback environment. However, please act quickly, as the remaining stock of the EU version of the S5 is also limited.
— Daniel KIM
CEO & Chief Design Engineer, RSNAV