The iCar is one step closer to reality.

Apple just unveiled a new system dubbed “iOS in the Car”, which is an Apple-designed interface designed to work with car infotainment systems and your Apple device.

This goes beyond simple music playability, and includes “phone calls, maps/directions, and sending and receiving iMessages using your vehicle’s screen or eyes- and hands-free using Siri.”

This is a feature that can be on new cars as soon as next year from the following automakers:

• Honda
• Mercedes-Benz
• Nissan
• Ferrari
• Chevy
• Infiniti
• Kia
• Hyundai
• Volvo
• Acura
• Opel
• Jaguar

Here’s an example of the current system at work in a new Mercedes:

I really like this idea, mostly because so many car companies have tried and failed to create a truly viable in-car entertainment system that isn’t laggy, poorly-designed, limited, or difficult to access. The closest anyone has gotten to a successful system is Microsoft SYNC in Ford cars, but it looks like this system will make that look like Windows 98 in comparison.

So what do you think? Would you choose a car because it had this feature?