New Audi A8 Gets Google Maps

At the start of 2010, Audi will start selling its new generation A8, the German constructor’s flag ship model. As one of the new features of the car, Audi introduced a variety of Google services and information to the luxury sedan via the internet.

If you’re wondering how that works, the Germans explained: “the Audi online services allow the new A8 to retrieve up-to-date information from the internet via the optionally integrated GPRS/EDGE modem in the MMI navigation plus.

"The user can search online with Google for points-of-interest directly from within the MMI, the versatile search engine accepting such free text search queries as “delicatessen” or “shoe boutique". The results are then displayed on the onboard map or used as destinations for route calculation.”

All of this is done with the help of the multimedia interface, an “operating concept incorporating a touchpad – known as MMI touch. Also included are an integrated hard disk for navigation, phone and audio data and a graphics processor capable of generating high-quality, three dimensional images."

"The MMI analyzes navigation data predictively, relaying information to the control units managing the automatic cruise control with Stop & Go, adaptive lights and the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox so that these systems can precisely adapt their function to conditions well in advance.”

Unfortunately, these services will only be available in selected markets. Which means that if your country does not support the application for one reason or another, this application won’t help you too much. Maybe just in vacation.