Audi 2012 Annual Report Download - page 158

161
Management Report
140 Audi Group
151 Business and underlying
situation
151 Economic environment
153 Research and development
162 Procurement
162 Production
165 Deliveries and distribution
173 Financial performance
indicators
176 Social and ecological aspects
190 Risks, opportunities
and outlook
201 Disclaimer
Audi active lane assist, a driver assistance system first launched on the Audi A7 Sportback, is
now also optionally available to actively help drivers of the new A3 stay in lane by providing
gentle steering impulses.
The optional lane-change assistant Audi side assist has a complex system of radar sensors that
monitor the traffic following behind; where necessary, drivers are warned that they are about to
perform a risky lane change.
Audi supplies a selection of systems to take the stress out of parking. For example, the optional
park assist with selective display can guide the new A3 into parking spaces. Its 12 ultrasonic
sensors identify obstacles on all sides of the car. In perpendicular and parallel parking spaces,
it handles the steering work for the driver, if need be in several separate maneuvers. To establish
whether parking spaces are big enough, at moderate speeds it can also gauge the size of spaces
along the side of the road. When it detects a suitable one, it indicates this on the display.
The optional safety system Audi pre sense basic in the new A3 is another technology transferred
straight from the full-size category and now available in the premium compact car segment. The
electronic stabilization control (ESC) sensors can detect when the vehicle becomes unstable. The
safety system then makes sure that the front seat belts are tensioned. If the vehicle begins to
skid, the windows and optional sunroof are closed automatically. In conjunction with the option
Audi adaptive cruise control (ACC), the function pre sense front is included; if there is the risk of
a collision with the vehicle in front, depending on the situation it either warns the driver or pro-
vides braking assistance to prevent a collision. If the driver still does not respond, the brakes are
applied after a delay to reduce the impact speed. Below 30 km/h, it even brakes the Audi A3 at
virtually full force in an emergency. If a collision still happens, the new secondary collision brake
assist function cuts in to prevent the vehicle from continuing to roll in an uncontrolled manner
by automatically braking it. At the same time the interior lights and the hazard warning flashers
come on. The occupants are also protected by a package of restraint systems comprising a total
of seven airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver.
In January 2013, Audi furthermore became the first automotive manufacturer in the world to be
granted a license to operate piloted vehicles in the U.S. State of Nevada. The Company’s test
vehicles that are participating in the trialing of piloted driving are consequently permitted to
drive on public roads in Nevada. The condition is that there has to be a driver with a valid driver’s
license in every car, to take charge of steering the car if necessary.
Euro NCAP awards
The “European New Car Assessment Programme” (Euro NCAP) consortium, which brings together
international representatives of European transport ministries, automobile clubs, insurance com-
panies and consumer bodies, awarded a number of top accolades to the new Audi A3 in the past
fiscal year. For example, the Audi pre sense front plus safety system was given the “Reward 2012”
title. The Euro NCAP consortium also awarded the new Audi A3 its highest rating of five stars for
its passive crash safety. The results for adult occupant protection in a front, rear and side impact,
as well as for child occupant and pedestrian protection, reveal the new A3 to be one of the safest
cars in its category (www.euroncap.com/results/audi/a3/480.aspx).
Furthermore, the Euro NCAP consortium gave the new Audi A3 its “Euro NCAP advanced” distinc-
tion in four separate categories. This award is made for innovative accident prevention systems
that go beyond statutory and consumer protection requirements. It especially commended the
driver assistance systems Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front, secondary collision
brake assist and Audi active lane assist (www.euroncap.com/rewards.aspx).