Audi A8 to Feature MMI Plus Nav-System

With the market release scheduled for November this year, all that German carmaker Audi has to do until then is keep the interest in the vehicle at the highest possible levels. It that note, from time to time, the carmaker and its partners release updates on the gadgetry which will go into the A8, as it did today with the announcement of the MMI Plus navigation system.

Now showcased in the Audi A5 Cabriolet, the new system with embedded 3G connectivity will make the A8 a mobile "hot spot," allowing passengers to connect their Wi-Fi devices to the Internet from the vehicle.

"Audi strives to deliver a cutting-edge automotive experience, and increasingly that has meant not only the best-in-class automotive technology, but also complementary capabilities that bring greater value to our customers," Peter Kohlschmidt, director of development in Wireless, Acoustic and Connectivity for Audi said.

"We are pleased to be working with Qualcomm, the world's largest provider of wireless chipset solutions, to bring a new type of connected experience to Audi A8 models this year."

The system allows 3G high-speed data connectivity and, according to Audi and Qualcomm, the company which designed it, enables previously unseen navigation capabilities. It will integrate Google Earth, 3D satellite and aerial imagery and will allow route planning, points-of-interest and real-time traffic updates on a single platform. Those who want to see how it works can test it during the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week.

"By integrating Qualcomm UMTS modem technology with their MMI Plus navigation system, Audi will give its customers a navigation experience unlike any other, backed by real-time data and imagery," Luis Pineda, senior vice president of product management and marketing at Qualcomm added.