A system and method to provide extensibility to an existing vehicular control network. To provide such extensibility, an information layer network incorporating a protocol such as an Ethernet protocol in which additional peripheral devices may be easily coupled thereto or additional software applications providing enhanced functionality. Interfacing of the information layer to the vehicular control network is accomplished via an Information layer interface mechanism that translates signals from those compliant to the vehicular control network to those compliant with the information layer. Additionally, means are disclosed to provide for momentary control over one or more peripheral devices that are coupled to the vehicular control network via peripheral devices that are coupled to the information layer.