Audi launches online in-car connectivity

Sophisticated internet-based connectivity systems are a must-have in the prestige segment and Audi Australia was at risk of being left behind with its ageing Audi Connect system.

That’s now changed with the official Australian launch of the German brand’s significantly upgraded online infotainment system called Audi Connect plus.

While Audi Australia tied-in its official announcement of Audi Connect plus with the static launch of the all-new Audi A6 in Sydney last night, the new connectivity platform -- which operates driver assistance, information, entertainment and security features -- actually first appeared here in A7, A8 and Q8 models that landed in Oz in April.

Following the new A6 55 TFSI, Audi Connect plus next appears in the A6 45 TFSI arriving in October, followed by the new A1 hatch and Q3 mini-SUV (both due in November), then the facelifted A4 and Q7 models by mid-2020. Audi says that “most new models in the future will feature some, or all, of the new services”.

Using an embedded SIM card, giving data access via a third-party provider (Telstra) and online download speed of up to 100MB per second, Audi Connect plus is free for the first three years, and after that buyers can subscribe for a fee. The emergency call facility is valid for 10 years.

While Audi Connect offers Google Earth map overlay, Google point of interest and wifi hotspot, the new Audi Connect plus provides 15 separate features.

The infotainment system is split up into Navigation, Infotainment and Security and Assistance.

The Navigation and Infotainment features are divided into myNetwork, my Route, my Info and Audi smartphone interface.

The system’s myNetwork wifi hotspot allows up to eight devices to surf, stream and email (while stationary), and if you want to listen to the radio you’ll have better reception with myMusic, which transitions from AM, FM or DAB when radio signal is lost to the equivalent online station.

You can also select web radio stations from around the world or choose genres of music to listen to.

As with the Audi Connect system first seen in 2014, Navigation is embedded with Google Earth overlay, but with Connect plus it can be updated online automatically with myRoute, which also provides live traffic and parking information, destination entry via the my Audi smartphone app or Google Maps.

Occupants can access weather forecasts via myInfo. According to Audi, if you have a destination set in Navigation, the system will recognise this and will warn if there is bad weather forecast ahead.

Audi Connect plus will also find parking options in car parks (that have parking space counters), including opening times and prices.

The nearest petrol station and its fuel prices, are also available in the menus. The system is configured to search for the type of fuel for the car it’s operating in, so for example in the A6 55 TFSI it’ll search for premium unleaded availability and pricing.

If you’d prefer to use smartphone mirroring, you can plug in your phone via USB and deploy Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Under the umbrella of Security and Assistance, owners with Audi Connect plus installed have an SOS function. If an airbag is deployed, it will automatically call an emergency call centre provider and report the geolocation and colour of the vehicle to emergency services.

If the sensors register a more minor bingle the screen will pop up with the option to call for assistance. Drivers can also manually trigger an emergency call if, for example, there’s a medical emergency. There’s also a direct link to online road assistance.

Via the myAudi app, owners can make service bookings, check vehicle status, such as low oil warning or low tyre pressure warnings, get anti-theft alarm system notifications and engage remote lock and unlock.

The app also provides the vehicle’s location, when for example you’ve forgotten where you parked in a large parking station. The app also can be set to send push notifications for geofencing alerts, speed alerts and valet alert.

For full functionality, users need verification of their myAudi account, be nominated as key user and download the myAudi app.

The Audi system is sweetened by being free for the first three years (unlike subscription web-based systems such as Mercedes me connect and BMWConnectedDrive).

While Audi Connect plus offers unique features such as fuel prices and Google Earth map overlay, Mercedes-Benz counters with its park damage notification and remote engine start (with remotely adjustable climate control). and BMW ConnectedDrive with Digital Key for 5, which allows you to share a digital car key for up to five friends and family.

While the introduction of Audi Connect plus is more like Audi catching up to its competitors rather than overtaking them, the German company is working on far more sophisticated connectivity-based systems.

These include features like predictive air suspension, in which connected cars will register hitting potholes in the road and then relay that to following cars, which can adjust their suspension in preparation or even raise their ride height if the system senses an imminent collision with a low-lying object.

Traffic light information is already shared in European cities, allowing the system to tell drivers when traffic lights will change and what speed to set to make consistent progress through them. Locally, Audi says that the City of Adelaide is working on traffic light wifi connectivity to improve traffic flow.

While Audi Connect plus is a big step forward for the German company in terms of multimedia, it is also a small move closer towards vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) connectivity, which will be central to autonomous driving.