Audi 2011 Annual Report Download - page 57

54
_ Innovation
Fuel consumption and emission fi gures at the end of the Annual Report
due to the relatively heavy batteries.
This requires the development
and testing of new materials, new
joining technologies and new
production methods for series pro-
duction. “That is the prerequisite for
generating effi ciency and dynamics
in the same vehicle,” says Heinz
Hollerweger. “The innovations should
help us to continue reversing the
weight spiral.”
This is a challenging goal – and
work on “Vorsprung durch Technik”
continues in other areas, too. The
brand’s technologies for connecting
its cars with the owner, the
Internet, the infrastructure and
other vehicles go by the name Audi
connect. Smartphones and tablet
computers have made the digital
world a constant companion of
today’s customers. The car must
not be the weak link in the chain of
communication. “The last decade
was characterized by networking
the various systems in the car,” says
Ricky Hudi. “This decade, the car will
be networked seamlessly with its
surroundings and the environment.”
Many Audi model families, beginning
with the compact A1, already off er
Internet connectivity as an option.
Passengers in the rear seats can
go online with their smartphones
and other mobile devices using an
integrated WLAN hotspot. The fast
data connection also delivers specially
prepared news and information for
the driver to the vehicle. The key
requirement here is that this infor-
mation should make driving more
economical and convenient, relieving
the driver of additional burdens.
Behind all of these innovations
is the vision of tomorrow’s driving.
The Audi developers are convinced
that electric mobility will be one of
its pillars. The fi rst all-electric Audi,
The A2 concept presented at the International Motor Show (IAA) in 2011 embodies the link
between the Audi fi elds of the future – ultra, connect and e-tron.
Many Audi model fami lies
already off er Internet
connectivity as an option.