The new Audi Q7 will debut not just a much lighter chassis and all-new styling outside, but a cabin that is fresh from the carpet upward and absolutely packed with tech goodies.

Where to start? The latest Virtual Cockpit design uses a 12.3-inch TFT panel in the main guage cluster, able to show 3D instruments, full Google-Earth navigation and maps, and a dozen other custom displays as needed. These are operated by voice, redundant knobs and buttons on the wheel and dash, or by the new MMI Touch control panel with multi-touch capabilities (ahead of the shifter).

On the road, the Q7’s second-generation, Nvidia-developed Modular Infotainment Matrix by Nvidia controls the central screens, dash display with a T30 processor. The 11-inch rear tablets run on a separate Tegra4 chipset — with all able to handle individual functions and displays depending on what is needed: climate, maps, online services or media playback, etc.

The online portion of the Audi Connect suite takes a huge leap into the future with a built-in 4G LTE connection for the car itself, plus a hotspot for its users’ devices.

Speaking of phone syncing and pairing, the Q7 also debuts a new chargebox system for inductive phone charging when your iPhone or Android device is wearing a special case.

In terms of syncing, the Q7 is equipped with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This suite lets the new MMI screens become a second screen, showing and allowing control of most phone apps and services right from the Audi MMI screens.

It is all a bit of a mouthful to describe or take in, but these features help the Q7 vault well ahead of the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg in terms of cabin technology. The cruz will be how easy these features are to use — but running push updates from Audi will be able to hotfix and patch any software glitches via the built-in SIM car and 4G processors.

The Audi Connect suite for true WLAN in-car internet is sure to have a monthly fee for owners eventually, with pricing typically about $200-$300 annually projected. This might seem steep, but once accustomed to all these connected services — it will be very hard to go back.

Above all, this new tech helps the Q7’s cabin to feel luxurious and extremely modern. When you want to just drive and relax, the myriad tech controls will sink to black and let you relax.

We’re projecting the new Q7 to arrive stateside around July of 2015 as a 2016 model-year, with pricing from $60,000 upward. A hybrid powertrain and perhaps even a front-drive base model will be part of the product mix eventually. Standard engines will be a turbo (perhaps supercharged instead) TFSI V6 or atmospheric V8, plus a turbo-diesel six-cylinder TDI.

 2016 Audi Q7 Cabin Tech

 

 

Attractive and intuitive: controls and displays in the TT and the Q7

Clear and intuitive operation has always been a strength of Audi. At CES, the brand will show the most recent advances in control and display technology as available in the new Audi TT and the upcoming Audi Q7.

One highlight is the Audi virtual cockpit. This fully‑digital combined instrument provides the driver with minutely rendered, brilliant 3D graphics of all information and offers different display modes to choose from on its 12.3‑inch TFT monitor. Audi virtual cockpit is powered by the T 30 graphics processor made by Audi’s cooperation partner NVDIA.

Audi will also present innovations in control technology The TT and the new Q7 will feature MMI terminals with an all-new interface logic. This will emulate the concept of modern smartphones, where flat hierarchies replace sprawling menu trees.

Four elements: the traditional push-turn knob, the multifunction steering wheel, natural voice operation accommodating everyday speech, and a touchpad accepting signs and multi-finger gestures, are available to control the system’s numerous functions, which include telephone, radio, media and navigation. In the Audi TT, the MMI all‑in‑touch’s interface is on the knob, while in the Audi Q7, it is a separate surface. The system provides haptic feedback after every entry.

All-round networking: Audi connect

The term Audi connect covers all applications and developments networking the car with its owner, the Internet, public infrastructure and other automobiles. This is another field of technology where Audi continually expands its lead.

A central hardware element, the Audi connect module, connects the car with the internet via LTE, the fastest available transmission standard. The car’s passengers can connect their mobile devices to a WLAN hotspot, which also provides the driver with customized online in-car services from the Audi connect portfolio. One of the innovations in this area is Online Media Streaming, which offers access to Napster and Aupeo! music services, and online updating of the navigational map.

Additional services will be available in the new Audi Q7, among them the Audi smartphone interface. Depending on whether a customer connects an iOS or an Android device, the interface will call up the Apple Car Play or Android Auto platform onto the car’s MMI monitor. At the core of the offering is an enormous selection of music titles. In addition, both platforms provide navigation and messaging functions and appointment reminders.

Future car‑to‑X technologies are another key element of Audi connect. These will enable Audi models to interact with traffic lights in a city to navigate traffic faster and more efficiently. Another solution will permit cashless payment in a parking garage or at a kerbside meter, a third one will identify speed limits and spot dangers and also relay the corresponding information to other cars.

Another innovation presented by Audi at CES is the Audi mobile key. Here, a smartphone or a smartwatch provides access to the vehicle, making them highly flexible complements to existing keys. The mobile key uses Near Field Communication (NFC), which is available even when the mobile device’s battery is empty.

Powered by NVIDIA: infotainment

At CES, Audi will be showing attractive innovations in infotainment. One of these can be seen in the Audi phone box in the new Q7, which permits easy pairing of a smartphone. It can now inductively charge compatible phones under the Qi standard.

Another first is 3D sound. In the new Audi Q7, the premium sound systems from Bose and Bang & Olufsen integrate additional speakers which open up height as a spatial dimension. A sophisticated algorithm extracts information for the third dimension from conventional stereo or 5.1 recordings and processes it for reproduction via the speaker array.

Audi to set new standards in infotainment with its Modular Infotainment Matrix and its technology network. The brand’s revolutionary approach involving a modularized electronic architecture brings Audi’s development cycles closer to those in the fast-paced consumer electronics business.

2012 saw the debut of the Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB) with an NVIDIA T 20 chip as its heart in the Audi A3*. A mere one-and-a-half years later, the MIB’s second stage has been deployed in the Audi TT and in the new Audi A6* and A7 Sportback*. Again, an NVIDIA processor plays a key role. The T 30 is a quad-core chip running a 3D graphic program from specialist software manufacturer. Rightward to render brilliant graphics on two displays simultaneously. Thanks to the matrix’ modular structure, Audi can keep it continuously up-to-date and quickly integrate attractive innovations from consumer electronics.

Another chip from NVIDIA, the Tegra 4, powers the Audi tablet debuting in the new Q7. With an active 10.1‑inch display, the Audi tablet’s will provide mobile rear-seat entertainment. In the car, the tablet will connect itself to the on-board infotainment and navigation system via WLAN. What is special about the Audi tablet is that it has been expressly designed for use in the car. This means it is both high-class and robust. Of course, it can also be used on a WLAN outside the car.

Audi as driving force: electronic architecture

To expand its lead in hardware, Audi set up the Progressive Semi Conductor Program (PSCP) in late 2010. Under the program, Audi directly involves not just its system suppliers but also semiconductor makers. It is a key factor for future innovations.

As in hardware, so Audi develops solutions of its own in software – a task falling mainly to e.solutions GmbH, a subsidiary.

In vehicle electrics, Audi has developed a new, scalable architecture, the 48 volt onboard partial network. It will soon complement conventional 12 volt networks and permit deployment of new high-performance electric components. These will include an electric compressor as a supplementary turbocharger or an extra-strong generator capable of recuperating a higher amount of kinetic energy and, when used as a motor, transforming the car’s powertrain into an efficient mild hybrid.

Future power: electromobility – charging without a cable

Under the name e‑tron, Audi resolutely advances the electrification of the powertrain. One of many aspects in this is contactless charging of all- or part-electric e‑tron models. Audi is putting great effort into induction-based supply of energy, known as Audi wireless charging (AWC).

The brand has developed a power matrix offering numerous options so as to provide each customer with a solution filling his or her precise needs. Approaches range from a 48‑volt onboard network to plug-in hybrid powertrains. These marry the advantages of a combustion engine with those of electric traction, providing the customer with long range, power and efficiency all at the same time.

The launch of the A3 Sportback e‑tron* in 2014 was Audi’s successful entrance into plug‑in hybrid technology. This will now be swiftly rolled out across the model range, with the medium and top segment next in line. A new e‑tron model is set for introduction every year. At the same time, Audi is working on purely-electric vehicles with high-capacity batteries and powerful motors requiring no compromises in terms of range and usability.

 

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