The Mercedes iPod kits for the earlier A/B/C/CLK/GL/ML/R/CL/S/E/CLS/SLK (DVD based, or Audio-20 CD, i.e pre Model Year 2009) do not charge the latest iPod/iPhones since they use 5 Volts to charge instead of accepting 5 volts or 12 volts. This adapter lead replaces the existing lead from iPod interface to iPod/iPhone in order to charge all iPods & iPhones with the dock connector.

Please note that the "Model Year 2009" and W204/W212/W207 (C/E/E-Coupe/E-convertible) come with the new charging lead. The other iPod kits do not.