Audi 2011 Annual Report Download - page 52

Thomas Schertling was excited when he fi rst saw
photos of the Audi A7 Sportback – and he soon
visited a dealership. “Everything just clicked,” he
says. And soon after this he ordered his dream
car – with virtually every available option. The S line exterior
package for a sporty touch, luxurious comfort seats and a
head-up display for safety – there is no doubt that Thomas
Schertling knows exactly what he wants. He made some
comparisons, did his research, and ultimately chose an Audi
A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro in Daytona Gray, pearl eff ect.
Helga, his wife, accompanies him to the Audi Forum
Neckarsulm to pick up their new car. They are both visibly
impressed by the beautiful silhouette of their new vehicle.
They fi rst admire the exterior, and then the interior. The
Schertlings are joined by Audi employee Benjamin Schäfer,
who explains the functions of their new car to them.
Mr. Schertling’s fascination is evident as soon as Mr. Schäfer
prompts an eight-inch TFT monitor to emerge elegantly from
the cockpit and the A7 Sportback connects to the Internet.
After all, he fi nds Audi connect services especially exciting.
This is his fi rst vehicle which features Internet access.
Mr. Schertling upgraded to the optional MMI navigation plus
infotainment system and the Bluetooth online car phone so
that he can use Audi connect. He did so with good reason: As
an organizational director at a Stuttgart insurance company, he
states: “Being online is a must in my line of work, which means
it is an advantage to own a car with Internet connection.”
Especially in light of how much time Mr. Schertling spends
behind the wheel. He averages 40,000 kilometers every year.
Mr. Schertling wastes no time intently clicking his way
through the MMI menu. His wife, who prefers reading books
to going online, is increasingly intrigued. “I’ve never seen
such detailed navigation maps in a vehicle,” she says, when
route guidance – with crystal-clear Google Earth images –
appears on the screen. Her husband is impressed by yet more
features. Audi online traffi c information, for instance, which
Audi connect makes possible. By means of online checks every
three minutes, this system monitors traffi c fl ows and adjusts
the route accordingly. But that is not all that distinguishes
Audi online traffi c information from conventional navigation
technologies. It not only includes freeways and primary
roadways, but also monitors traffi c fl ows on secondary roads
and city streets, too – it even detects roadwork sites. The
fastest route is therefore always displayed. “Wonderful!
That will save me a lot of time,” says frequent driver
Mr. Schertling with delight.
He is also thrilled while operating the MMI – especially
the touchpad in the center console. With his fi nger, he
enters some letters one by one via touchpad – with the
system quietly announcing each letter. “It’s amazing how it
recognizes my handwriting. I can enter letters far faster than
when I had to use a controller. It’s so intuitive that I could
even write without looking,” he adds.
“But you don’t have to!” comments his wife, who has
learned from Benjamin Schäfer how to operate the voice-
activated online search for points of interest. She wants to
try it out right away. Mrs. Schertling states that her next
destination is a hotel in Elmau, Germany. The results of
the Google-based search amaze both her and her husband.
Photos of the hotel, its address, and guests’ rankings are
complemented by a weather forecast. And if they wish, they
can tell the computer to call the hotel’s phone number.
One word is all it takes. Just two more words – “Calculate
route” – suffi ce for Audi connect to guide the driver to their
destination. Upon request, the system will also search
for certain points of interest – such as attractions at the
destination. “It’s a personal, on-board travel guide,” says a
pleased Mr. Schertling.
Audi connect also enhances safety. Thanks to networked
driver assistance systems such as adaptive light, an automatic
speed limit display and adaptive cruise control, the Schertlings
can now be more at ease on the road. At the same time, they
will always be up to date thanks to the latest online news –
something Mr. Schertling appreciates. “News at the touch of a
button, fantastic!” He is also fond of the WLAN hotspot. It is
easy to set up wireless connectivity for his smartphone and his
iPad; Mr. Schertling beams with joy as he surfs the Web. “This
is as fast as my offi ce connection.”
Thomas Schertling is not merely convinced by the benefi ts
of Audi connect, he is delighted: “This system isn’t just nice to
have; it makes it easier and faster to do just about anything.
And it’s fun! Going online in a car – who’d have thought it?”
Now at the very latest, everything has double clicked for
him – without a PC or mouse. Connected with the whole
world – and Audi makes it happen. If it were not for the
“Vorsprung durch Technik” that Audi off ers, Mr. Schertling
might have opted for a diff erent brand. “Granted, Audi
connect is only one detail and not the sole purchasing
criterion. But now that I have experienced it personally,
I can’t really imagine owning a vehicle without an electronic
gateway to the world,” says this marathoner who enjoys
crossing the fi nish line fi rst. He starts up the engine
and rolls out of the Audi Forum Neckarsulm. On the way
home. But this time they will traverse two routes simulta-
neously: the A 81 autobahn and the digital data highway.
Fuel consumption and emission fi gures at the end of the Annual Report
Fully networked: from news services to travel information and
WLAN hotspot. Experience these and other possibilities of
Audi connect in the video.
Innovation _ 49
PHOTOS | STEFFEN JAHN
“A unique experience: on-board Internet. It’s
exciting and fun.”
Helga (45) and Thomas (49) Schertling