Audi A8 L Prototype Showcases Advanced Broadband Connection

Audi has taken the wraps off an even more technologically-advanced edition of the long wheelbase A8 luxury saloon, which has been engineered with broadband Internet, using long-term evolution (LTE) technology. The system offers data transfer speeds of up to 100Mbps, which is similar to a fixed-line broadband connection.

This kind of transfer speeds mean that the prototype can use its TE broadband connection to stream music, high-definition videos and other data on up to six computer or mobile phone devices. The current 3G connections are only good for transfers of about 14.4Mbps.

The prototype was created in collaboration with communications specialists at Alcatel-Lucent. The fourth generation (‘4G’) technology looks poised to replace the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Standard (UMTS) systems that underpin the current 3G.

“We will use LTE technology to extend our advantage in automotive networking and further consolidate the Audi connect strategy,” explained Michael Dick, Audi Board Member for Technical Development, during the presentation of the A8 L prototype.

This is not just a prototype created in order to steel a bit of attention from the media, as Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, announced that LTE technology would be used in cars by early 2011 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last year. With this test version ready only eight weeks into the year, Audi looks set to deliver on that promise.

“With its quick connection speeds, LTE technology offers more dynamic and reliable internet access, particularly when large amounts of data need to be uploaded or downloaded. Audi technicians have tested the capabilities of LTE by streaming high-definition videos – which have notoriously large data streams – live to the prototype," the automaker’s press release states.