The close-to-production Audi Q6 e-tron is just the beginning of the largest model offensive in the history of the brand with the four rings. Audi will introduce more than 20 new models by 2025 – more than ten of which will be electric. The future Q6 e-tron model series marks the inauguration of e-mobility at the Ingolstadt headquarters. An in-house battery assembly facility underpins Audi’s commitment to electric mobility.

 

Curves and corners in the cold: Audi is currently putting the production-oriented Q6 e-tron prototype through its paces in the far north of Europe under strict safety regulations. The future model series is the first to be built on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) technology platform. With its 800-volt electrical system, powerful and efficient electric motors, an innovative battery and charging management system, and a newly developed electronics architecture, the production-oriented Q6 e-tron prototype marks the next major step in the electrification and digitalization of Audi’s model range.

The upcoming Q6 e-tron model series, which comes in SUV and Sportback body variants, represents sustainable production, the upskilling of the workforce at the Ingolstadt site, and the electric future of the company. Audi is transforming at an increasing pace into a leading provider of connected, fully electric premium mobility. And it is doing so on strong economic foundations: The Audi Group closed the 2022 fiscal year with record results.

“Our Vorsprung 2030 strategy provides the right answers, even in times of multiple crises,” says Markus Duesmann, CEO of AUDI AG. “We are completely focused on sustainability and systematically advancing the digitalization and electrification of our products.”

Article source: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi is continuing to systematically advance the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron. Audi is updating all vehicles from the start of series production up to and including the 2022 model year with software version 3.2. This new software comes now as standard in series production for the current 2023 model year. Foremost among the new functions with high everyday utility is the option of performing future software updates via a wireless over-the-air interface.

 

The software update for the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron also allows users to create personal profiles. Another new feature: Users can use the e-tron route planner in the myAudi app to plan a route and send it to their Q4 e-tron. The new software version also saves navigation data such as recent destinations. The myAudi app can be used to locate the car’s parking position as well as to check a variety of status messages. Should the car break down or be involved in a fender bender, the driver will be able to use the online roadside assistance call with Audi damage service going forward.

Improved charging power at home and on the road

The software update also offers added value when charging at home or on the road. The “Preferred charging time” function helps customers charge at low-cost times, e.g. at night, with a variable-rate electricity plan. It works by allowing the user to set up a defined charging window. And timers in the car and the myAudi app make charging with alternating current (AC) even more convenient now too. During preconditioning with the departure timer, the energy that is needed to warm the interior in the winter is directed to the car during charging via an external energy source – for instance, a home Wallbox or a public charging point.

Similarly, the new software’s reworked thermal management system optimizes consumption by taking the outside temperature and the state of charge into account when conditioning the battery.

An improved charging power control system compared to software version 2.3 enables increased DC charging power up to 135 kW1. In addition, customers can also opt for the battery protection function, which automatically holds the battery in the ideal state of charge by limiting it to 80 percent.

The update will also enable the Plug & Charge function together with a charging contract from the Audi charging service. At compatible charging stations, the vehicle automatically authorizes and activates the station when the charging cable is plugged in. Billing is also automatic.

The Audi Q4 e-tron – now even more personalized

Audi’s theme worlds in the myAudi app make it easy for customers to individualize the look of the interior of their Q4 e-tron to suit their personal preferences in just a few steps. For example, customers can personalize the ambient lighting in the vehicle as well as the background images shown on the center display. As part of the Audi connect navigation and infotainment plus package, Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa2 can be used to listen to music, catch up on the latest news, and much more.

 

Audi partners inform on car-by-car basis

All Q4 e-trons made in 2023 and later will also feature Plug and Charge and the ability to perform software updates via a wireless over-the-air interface. All owners of a Q4 e-tron that does not have new software for the 2023 model year will be informed individually by their Audi dealer about how to proceed with updates. To avoid long wait times, the software updates will take place according to region and in several waves.

1Battery charging time and power can vary depending on various factors such as ambient and battery temperature, use of other country-specific plugs, use of the preconditioning function (e.g. remote-controlled air conditioning of the vehicle), power availability at the charging station, charge status, and age of the battery. The charging power decreases as the charge status increases. Charging losses are included.
2Amazon, Alexa, and all related logos are brands or registered trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or an associated company. Certain Alexa features require compatible smart home technology.

 

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

In keeping with its current special exhibition “The Speed of Light”, Audi Tradition would like to invite you to an evening of lectures at the Audi museum mobile. On Monday, March 13, Dr. Michael Hamm and Dr. Michael Kruppa will trace the evolution of vehicle lighting from its earliest days up to present times, and then offer a preview of where lighting is heading. Admission is free, but registration by March 9 is essential. After the lectures, you will have an opportunity to look around the special exhibition and talk to both speakers.

 

Dr. Michael Hamm and Dr. Michael Kruppa are both renowned experts in the field of lighting. In addition to their name, they also share a passion for light: Dr. Hamm was head of headlight development at Audi from 2012 to 2022. During that time, he introduced numerous innovations, including LED and Matrix LED headlights, and laser as an additional high beam. He is currently a visiting lecturer in traffic light technology at TU Darmstadt and also works as a journalist. Dr. Michael Kruppa has been with Audi since 2013 and dedicated to lighting development since 2016: as head of lighting development, he developed the digital OLED taillights, which are an indispensable part of the Audi-portfolio, together with his team. Now he works as head of front lighting development.

The special exhibition “The Speed of Light” at the Audi museum mobile in Ingolstadt is, for the first time, telling the full story of lighting development through the rich product history of the brand with the four rings. The special exhibition looks back to the beginnings of vehicle lighting – when early automobiles still used actual fire for illumination. Ten vehicles trace the various epochs in lighting technology, while other exhibits illustrate the functionality and the fascination of constantly evolving headlight and rear light technologies. “The Speed of Light” will be on display in the Audi museum mobile until June 4.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

As of summer 2023, Audi is bringing a store for apps to selected models with the third-generation modular infotainment toolkit (MIB 3). With the embedding of the store, which was jointly developed with Volkswagen subsidiary CARIAD, customers can directly and intuitively access popular third-party apps through the Multimedia Interface (MMI) by means of a data link in the vehicle. The apps selected by the customer can be installed in the MMI system seamlessly – without the need for a detour via a smartphone.

 

In its pursuit of ever greater vehicle digitalization, Audi is integrating a native store for apps into selected models. The technical basis for the innovation is an expansion of MIB 3 with an additional electronic component: an Audi hardware module the size of a USB flash drive is loaded with an open-source operating and thus allows access to the third-party apps in the vehicle.

“Audi is the first brand within the Volkswagen Group to introduce the new store for third party applications. Developed by CARIAD, this scalable solution is a proof point for our strategy to offer a highly attractive ecosystem for our customers. With this solution, Audi drivers will not only enjoy regular software updates but also an even more personalized infotainment system,” said Oliver Hoffmann, CTO of Audi.

Innovative digital ecosystem

With the new store, customers gain access to a wide variety of apps, which can be downloaded directly and independently from the smartphone to the MMI. At launch, apps from the following categories are available: Music, Video, Gaming, Navigation, Parking & Charging, Productivity, Weather, and News. The Music section, for example, includes apps such as Amazon Music and Spotify. The store will constantly grow with new apps being added all the time. Customers can access it via a separate MMI tile. Afterwards, the additional apps are seamlessly implemented in the MMI and can be used safely and reliably even while driving. The app portfolio is adapted specifically to the various markets.

Speaking of seamlessly integrated third-party apps: Since 2019, Audi vehicles have offered Amazon’s Alexa Built-in—an integrated voice AI experience that makes it easy to listen to music, manage smart home devices, add items to a shopping list while on the go, and more. Starting this summer, Audi customers will have access to the latest app version of Amazon Alexa which includes new services and additional features like an enhanced graphic interface, and a visual control panel for managing smart home devices.

Convenient billing

A data link is required to use the third-party apps, which is established via the so called “embedded SIM”, a sim card permanently installed in the vehicle. For Audi owners in Europe, the costs that accrue from using the cellular network are billed conveniently via data volume with Cubic Telecom. The first 25 gigabytes are free of charge. Naturally, Audi models will continue to support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with option “smartphone interface”.

In various Audi models as of summer 2023

The store for apps will be available from June in selected models that are equipped with the latest MIB 3 software cluster, specifically the Audi A3, A4/A5, Q5, A6/A7, A8, Q8 e-tron, and Audi e-tron GT. These Audi models will be fitted with the store from the factory throughout the European market as well as Canada and the United States. The functionality will be expanded to additional models in 2023. The third-party apps are not available on vehicles with an earlier date of production.

Audi and CARIAD – a shared path

To develop and ensure the success of complex digital systems such as the new store for apps, Audi uses the bundled knowledge and synergies within the Volkswagen Group. CARIAD, the group’s software company, is developing the technology stack for automated and connected driving – including of a consistent electronic architecture, a software platform, and a reliable connection to the automotive cloud – for all of the group’s brands. CARIAD is also working on driver assistance systems, a standardized infotainment platform, and a new digital ecosystem centered around the car. 

 
Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi Sport customer racing is relying on a mix of experience and youth for its 2023 driver squad. In addition to established drivers, the brand also includes two former customer drivers in the driver squad, Simon Gachet and Max Hofer.

 

Audi Sport is relying on twelve familiar and two new faces for its driver line-up this year. The very different careers and experiences of the individual race drivers enable them to support the brand in the best possible way through their individual strengths in the diverse customer programs and strategic assignments.

 

The 24-year-old Italian Mattia Drudi’s greatest success to date was winning the Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo Endurance in 2021. The talented youngster has also showed good performances in strategic endurance races. Last year, 22-year-old Luca Engstler, who previously won TCR touring car titles, managed to clinch a win both in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie and the South African Endurance Series at the first attempt in his debut season in the Audi R8 LMS. The Swiss driver of the same age, Ricardo Feller, winner of the 2021 ADAC GT Masters in an Audi, has also been part of the Audi Sport customer racing driver squad since last year. He has made a name for himself as a particularly fast and reliable driver.

Christopher Haase from Germany is 35 years old and has been a permanent fixture for Audi for more than ten years. In addition to two championship titles, the Bavarian has already clinched four 24-hour overall victories for Audi: he was successful twice at the Nürburgring and once each at Spa and Dubai. His 46-year-old compatriot Pierre Kaffer has already driven sports prototypes, DTM race cars and GT3 models from Audi in his career. The winner of the 2019 Nürburgring 24 Hours who won a European title in the 24H Series last year together with Gentleman drivers is a teammate particularly appreciated by privateers. Gilles Magnus won the rookie classification in the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup in 2020 and the Trophy classification for privateers in the following year. Since 2022, the 23-year-old Belgian has been part of Audi Sport customer racing’s driver line-up and, in addition to victories with the RS 3 LMS, has also raced the Audi R8 LMS. Dennis Marschall started his career in the Audi Sport TT Cup. Last year, the 26-year-old German was the best-placed Audi Sport driver in the demanding ADAC GT Masters.

At 33, Christopher Mies has already won five championship titles for Audi, spread across Germany, Europe and Australia. Three 24-hour overall victories – two at the Nürburgring and one in Dubai – underline the German’s versatility. Swiss Patric Niederhauser is 31 years old. After his title win in the 2019 ADAC GT Masters he has proven for Audi with a victory in the 2021 Indianapolis 8 Hour, second place in the Intercontinental GT Challenge and other good results that he is also one of the best GT3 drivers internationally. Frank Stippler not only lives near the Nürburgring, but is still a benchmark on this legendary circuit. As a two-time winner of the 24-hour race, he is still a sought-after and successful teammate on the Nordschleife at the age of 47, whether in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie or the 24-hour race.

Frédéric Vervisch won the Nürburgring 24 Hours in the Audi R8 LMS for the second time last year. By finishing second in the WTCR World Touring Car Cup, the now 36-year-old Belgian showed in 2021 that he is also a great at the wheel of the Audi RS 3 LMS. The 42-year-old German Markus Winkelhock has celebrated no less than six overall victories in 24-hour races for Audi: once at Sebring, twice at Spa and three times at the Nürburgring. Winning the Intercontinental GT Challenge in 2017 rounds off his driver biography.

In addition to the twelve familiar drivers, Simon Gachet and Max Hofer are new to the squad. 29-year-old Simon Gachet has been driving the Audi R8 LMS as a customer since 2017. His biggest successes include winning the Silver classification of the 2020 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup with Audi. Last year, the Frenchman won a gold medal for his country at the FIA Motorsport Games. Max Hofer is also a familiar face at Audi Sport. The 23-year-old Austrian has already shown his talent in the Audi Sport TT Cup and drove an RS 3 LMS in the ADAC TCR Germany. He is also familiar with the Audi R8 LMS GT4. In 2019, he won the junior classification in the ADAC GT Masters in an Audi R8 LMS. Last year, he also clinched the title in the GTC Race series with this GT3 sports car.

“With this driver line-up, we are well positioned for the 2023 season and can support customers with the individual strengths of our drivers in a wide variety of programs,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “A warm welcome to Simon and Max, who have known our products for a long time. We’ve been watching them for years and are happy to be able to give them these opportunities. A big thank you also goes to two other drivers who are no longer part of our squad this year. Nathanaël Berthon achieved victories for us in the WTCR FIA World Touring Car Cup and made a major contribution to the development of the Audi RS 3 LMS. Kelvin van der Linde has clinched championship titles, 24-hour race victories and many other successes with Audi. Even though he is giving his career a new impetus, we would be happy to see him in the cockpit of an Audi R8 LMS again in the near future for individual programs or races.”

 
Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

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