Audi 2008 Annual Report Download - page 154

135
Management Report
128 Business and underlying
situation
128 The Group
131 Corporate steering
134 Research and development
136 Employee matters
139 Audi in society
141 Environmental aspects
147 Economic environment
150 Course of business
157 Financial performance
159 Net worth
160 Financial position
160 Report on post-balance sheet
date events
161 Risk report
165 Report on expected
developments
169 Disclaimer
Audi S tronic with seven speeds
In the past fiscal year, the Audi Group unveiled the newly developed seven-speed S tronic
dual-clutch transmission. This concept, which is specially designed for the combination of
longitudinally installed engines and quattro all-wheel drive, facilitates gear changes within
a few hundredths of a second and virtually without any interruptions to the power flow.
This is all made possible by two permanently active subsidiary transmissions, one of which is
connected to the engine at any given time. When the driver accelerates the car, for instance,
the next-higher gear is already engaged in the other subsidiary transmission. To increase
driving enjoyment even further, there is also the option of changing gear using shift paddles
on the steering wheel.
Quite apart from its very sporty characteristics, the seven-speed S tronic is notably efficient.
Its high efficiency and intelligent control function in automatic mode team up to maximize
fuel efficiency. In addition, the maximum possible transmission spread of 8.0 : 1 offers a sporty,
short transmission ratio for the first gear as well as a rev-reducing long ratio for the highest
gear.
The new seven-speed S tronic is available in sporty models of the mid-range car lines.
New generation of the Multi Media Interface (MMI) with higher performance
The new-generation Multi Media Interface (MMI) made its debut last summer in the Audi A8
luxury sedan. Every aspect of this system has been further designed so that it now offers a
combination of even better performance and, in particular, greater ease of operation.
The optionally available MMI navigation plus features a joystick on the central control knob for
even easier navigation. In addition, a 7-inch, high-resolution (800 x 480 pixels) color monitor
with LED backlighting provides a sharp, high-contrast picture even under difficult light
conditions.
One technological highlight of the MMI navigation plus is its new navigation program. Besides
having a conventional two-dimensional view, the driver can also select a three-dimensional map
view. And, whenever appropriate, the navigation system suggests a route that will help the
driver achieve maximum fuel efficiency.
Other important features of the new-generation system are an integrated drive for audio, video
and navigation DVDs, and, in the case of MMI navigation plus, a 40 GB hard drive that can store
up to 5,000 addresses and as many as 3,000 music tracks, which can be sorted as desired. The
new generation of MMI is already available in a wide range of Audi models.
Audi Space Frame (ASF) honored with European Inventor of the Year Award 2008
In developing the Audi Space Frame (ASF), the Audi Group played a crucial role in lightweight
automotive construction. The revolutionary concept, which first went into production in the
Audi A8 in 1994, has been honored with the European Patent Office’s European Inventor of
the Year Award 2008 (May 6, 2008). The high-strength aluminum frame construction weighs
much less than conventional steel bodied vehicles. The Audi Space Frame has paved the way
for enhanced fuel efficiency, making a vital contribution towards cutting a vehicle’s polluting
emissions.
This pioneering aluminum technology currently features not only on the Audi A8, making it the
only luxury sedan to combine an aluminum body with quattro drive, but also on the Audi TT,
Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo.
Innovations for safety
High-beam assistant for better illumination
The Audi brand has been supplying customers with a high-beam assistant in combination with
xenon plus headlamps in virtually all car lines since last year. The driver can activate this func-
tion at twilight or when it gets dark by using the high-beam headlamp lever. Once activated, it
monitors the traffic situation almost continuously by means of a camera system integrated into
the interior rearview mirror. Depending on whether or not it detects other vehicles, the system
either raises or dips the headlamp beams. Not only does it relieve the driver from having to