I know I can connect my phone to my car when listening to the radio.

Can I connect it without having to listen to the radio. If I have passengers I normally don't listen to the radio but sometimes want have my phone connected.

Mute the radio?

My phone is connected even if infotainment is off (in standby). You can still see and navigate through the phone tab on multi-dot display.

Yep even with the infotainment off, phone calls and texts will still be received, It will pop up on the infotainment display or on the maxidot.

Thanks I will need try some experiments

If you want the infotainment screen on just mute the radio.

Thanks I will need try some experiments

If you manage to turn wood into gold I want the experiment parameters. 

Just tried it. With radio off and phone Bluetooth on an incoming call wakes the radio and then the call is picked up by the car and you go hands free from there. Drop the call and radio goes back to sleep.