INGOLSTADT, Germany — The 2011 Audi A8 will have the first production-vehicle use of Google Earth on board. Online "point of interest" Google search will also be integrated into Audi's navigation system on the next-generation A8.
The multimedia interface navigation system uses a touch pad and has an integrated hard disk and a high-quality 3D graphics processor. It can also analyze navigation data predictively to help the advanced cruise control, lighting and gearbox systems adapt to expected conditions in advance.
Audi says "selected markets" will get the online features, which include an integrated GPRS/EDGE modem in the navigation system that lets the user do Google search from within the system. Results of searches are displayed on the A8's onboard map. An interesting feature is the ability to plan a trip on Google Maps elsewhere and retrieve the data in the car.
A faster UMTS modem will become available midyear, enabling simultaneous voice and data connection — and the Google Earth feature.
Users insert their own SIM cards into the MMI Navigation plus system or hook up their mobile phone to the MMI using Bluetooth connectivity. No contracts other than the customer's existing mobile phone data service are necessary.
The Audi A8 has an 8-inch LCD display to see the Google Earth images with. Pricing was not yet announced.
Inside Line says: Really useful as long as they're used by the passenger or while the A8 is not moving. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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nutsaboutcars says:
06:59 AM, 12/28/2009
Ok the most important thing I hope they did was refine the engine and car ride,,,Audi engines are known to be noisy at idle and there suspensions are to hard and rough,,That is why I leased a 7 series instead of a A8,,,,The A8 felt like a tin can not solid at all and the engine was very noisy and unrefined and the cars suspension was like riding on rails,,,There is a balance between a sports suspension and some supple,,,I understand Audi dont want there cars to be float boxes like lexus,,But there suspension is way to hard as well as lots of road noise,,,,I hope all this is revised for the next A8 because my 7 series comes off lease soon,,,We will see
felonious says:
09:11 AM, 12/22/2009
Hey IL guys, can we have comments in Straightline be oldest-first, like in the LT blog? It's a bit confusing.
felonious says:
09:10 AM, 12/22/2009
Firstclass, actually Sync is a Microsoft product. The first and only thing they've done that I've liked (not counting gaming consoles).
firstclass says:
12:02 PM, 12/21/2009
@-willrobinson
you should patent that idea before it's taken. Smartest Car/phone interface idea yet. Perhaps ford can work it into their sync system since they seem to be leading the way in human/Phones interaction with cars. The problem I find with sync is that it's mainly an entertainment system... I want something more practical that can be updated easily. My phone is probably smarter than the space shuttle and unlike on-star and google earth I have to have my phone. Now it I could get my phone to display through the GPS screen in my car I'd have all the technological Features of this Audi and more without gettin pulled over for using it.
willrobinson1 says:
10:26 AM, 12/21/2009
But how good is the car as a car? Google Earth as a feature won't sell a single car. To anybody. Love the tech features, but my phone has all that stuff and lots more for a lot less money. When my phone is dated, I can trade it in for something state of the art for a couple hundred bucks. I'll still be paying for the quickly outdated technology long after it's obsolete in a car this expensive. How about a nice big screen I can tie my phone into? It would only act like a computer monitor. Whatever is on my phone would be on the screen. It would never be obsolete unless better screens are invented. Common controls like ventilation and radio controls don't belong in touch screens so this would be genius. Keep it simple.