1. Adaptive air suspension
Adaptive air suspension unites comfort and dynamic handling by combining air suspension and a continuously variable, electronically damper system.
The electronically controlled air spring system adjusts the suspension to suit the current situation. It achieves this with fully load-bearing air springs on the front and rear axles combined with a continuously variable, electronic damping system.
The permanent self-levelling function ensures the vehicle body remains at the right attitude even with an asymmetrical load distribution.
You can also select the suspension mode to give your Audi the precise handling qualities you want, including 'automatic', 'comfort', 'dynamic' and 'lift' from the MMI.
2. AdBlue
AdBlue is a non-toxic, non-flammable, odourless and biodegradable reducing agent that helps to make cars cleaner and more efficient, meaning lower levels of harmful car and van exhaust emissions such as Nitrogen Oxide (NOx).
AdBlue works with a treatment system called ‘Selective Catalyst Reduction’ (SCR), which converts nitric oxide into less harmful nitrogen and water. It is made by mixing a compound made from ammonia and CO2 into deionised water.
The AdBlue fluid is not mixed with the fuel in your vehicle but carried in a separate tank and then pumped into the engine where it is injected into the exhaust gases. Working together with the catalyst, Adblue converts 80% of the NOx coming from the vehicles combustions chambers into harmless nitrogen and water.
Many HGVs, buses and other large diesel vehicles have been using AdBlue for several years. From September 2015 all new vehicles sold in the EU must meet the Euro 6 (EU 6) emissions standard; therefore new diesel cars feature an AdBlue injection system.
Consumption will depend on driving style, journey type, road conditions and the load placed on your engine, so topping up your AdBlue tank may be required between services.
You can refill the tank yourself when alerted by your Driver Information System, or take your car to an Audi Authorised Repairer. Your driver information system will display a warning when the fluid is running low at three intervals. The warning will start at 1500 miles and count down.
Audi supplies AdBlue for £1.50 per litre, including VAT and labour. Contact your local Audi Centre or watch the video to find out more about AdBlue.
AdBlue is not exclusive to Audi and can be purchased from a number of outlets. We recommend customers only use reputable AdBlue products in their cars, i.e. those that meet ISO standard 22241-1.
3. Anti-theft alarm
The anti-theft alarm system offers extensive protection against break-in, vehicle theft and wheel theft.
The anti-theft alarm system offers protection for the vehicle and its valuable features. It uses several systems to thoroughly monitor the doors, luggage compartment, engine compartment, engine and interior. The core monitoring element is the ultrasonic sensor system, which detects people inside the interior.
The system responds to movements and is also triggered by unauthorised attempts to gain access to the vehicle interior – through a smashed window, for example. The interior monitoring can be switched off to allow people and animals to remain for a short time in the parked car.
In the event of a break-in or if a door is opened by unauthorised means, a piercing alarm horns sounds for 30 seconds. It reacts independently of the on-board electrical system – i.e. even if the battery is disconnected or short-circuited. The alarm sound is accompanied by continuous flashing of the hazard warning lights.
The horn and hazard lights are also activated when the integrated tilt sensor detects a slight change in the vehicle’s position. This prevents attempts to transport the car away on another vehicle or remove the wheels. When repairs are needed, faults can be found quickly via self-diagnosis.
The anti-theft alarm is generally activated whenever the vehicle is locked and deactivated when it's unlocked. The alarm system can also be switched on and off when needed using the vehicle key or via remote control. The system also remains active when the luggage compartment lock is operated.
The anti-theft alarm concept has even convinced insurance companies, some of whom offer lower comprehensive insurance rates for vehicles equipped with the system.
4. Audi drive select
Audi drive select integrates the technical components that determine the quality of the driving experience, the engine, transmission, steering (optional), shock absorbers (optional) and the sport differential (optional).
Audi drive select enables drivers to adjust the characteristics of the technical components.
Depending on their vehicle configuration these include the engine, transmission, steering, shock absorbers and the sport differential. Via a button on the centre console, the driver selects one of three modes for Audi drive select – 'comfort', 'auto' or 'dynamic' – for characteristics ranging from outstandingly comfortable to intensely sporty.
In combination with the optional MMI, the driver can put together their own personal profile. Audi drive select is only available in conjunction with dynamic steering, damper control and/or sport differential.
5. Audi Hold Assist
Audi hold assist keeps the car stationary once it's stopped and automatically prevents it from rolling on uphill and downhill gradients.
During stops on uphill and downhill gradients, Audi hold assist holds the car stationary for as long as needed.
It's activated by pressing a button and allows the driver to set the car in motion smoothly without having to use the handbrake at all. If the vehicle remains stationary for a long period with Audi hold assist active, the system automatically switches over to the electromechanical parking brake. There's no need to operate the handbrake to pull away.
Audi hold assist is part of the ABS-ESP control system. After you release the brake pedal, the hydraulic pressure is maintained, meaning the hydraulic system keeps the brake pads pressed against the brake discs at the front and rear.
During this process, the electromechanical parking brake is not in operation. This means a quicker reaction time, less noise and less braking effect at all four wheels, and enhanced comfort. Audi hold assist is only available in conjunction with the electromechanical parking brake.
6. Audi lane assist
Audi lane assist helps the driver to stay in lane alerting them if they move off.
Audi lane assist detects lane markings by means of a camera on the front of the vehicle. The system is operational as soon as the camera detects road markings on both sides of the vehicle's lane.
If the vehicle starts to drift towards one of the detected lane markings, vibrations in the steering wheel warn the driver the vehicle is moving out of its lane. No warning is given if the driver is indicating with the turn signal.
The system is designed for driving on motorways and main roads, and works at speeds above approx. 60 km/h. Audi lane assist does not actively intervene in the driving situation.
7. Audi magnetic ride
Using magnetic fields, Audi magnetic ride adjusts the firmness of the dampers to the current driving situation within a fraction of a second.
Drivers can choose between a comfortable and a sporty driving mode to suit the driving situation and their personal tastes. In both modes the suspension's damping forces are continuously adjusted to the current driving situation. The sport mode delivers direct feedback from the road.
The car corners with agility and responds spontaneously to steering inputs. The normal mode is geared more towards comfort to help eliminate driving fatigue on long journeys.
With Audi magnetic ride, the liquid contained in the dampers has so-called magneto-rheological properties. Tiny magnetic particles are bound inside the basic oil which is used to fill the dampers.
When a magnetic field is applied, the magnetic particles are aligned against the direction of movement of the damper. As a result, the damping force of the damper is increased depending on the strength of the magnetic field.
This allows the firmness of the dampers to be increased or decreased within a fraction of a second. A control unit computes the optimum damping force for the individual driving situation. It does so using information from the wheel travel sensors and communication with other systems such as the steering and ESP.
A switch labelled with a shock absorber symbol on the centre console is used to control Audi magnetic ride. It activates and deactivates the sport mode. The instrument panel indicates activation/deactivation of sport mode and an LED in the function switch lights up when sport mode is active.
8. Audi music interface
The Audi music interface integrates portable media players into the Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI).
You can select artists, albums, tracks or genres with the MMI controls or the multifunction steering wheel. The system is capable of communicating with a wide range of portable media players and USB storage media.
Your media player remains stowed away in the glove box or centre console during the journey, and is connected to the Audi music interface by a cable from Audi Genuine Accessories®. This cable not only transmits the track information and music to the Audi music interface, but also recharges your media player at the same time.
With an optional Bluetooth® adapter the Audi music interface is also capable of wireless music playback from suitably equipped mobile telephones and media players. Data is transferred using Bluetooth audio streaming (A2DP), which requires a terminal device with A2DP capability.
The range of control options available for the media player via the MMI and multifunction steering wheel depends on the player and adapter used. Exact information on functions and any restrictions that apply is available in the Audi database for mobile devices or from your Audi dealership.
9. Audi side assist
The lane change assistant Audi side assist aids the driver when changing lane.
With its radar sensors in the rear bumper, the system monitors traffic in the driver’s blind spot. When a vehicle approaches from behind, the LED warning signal lights up.
The area beside and behind the vehicle is monitored by radar sensors at speeds above 30 km/h. When there is a vehicle in the blind spot or a vehicle is approaching rapidly from behind, the LED signal in the respective exterior mirror is continuously illuminated as a warning to the driver.
If the turn signal is operated in this situation, the lights in the exterior mirror flash to alert the driver to the danger of a collision. Audi side assist does not actively intervene in the controlling of the vehicle and the driver may deactivate it at any time by pressing a button on the driver door.