Road Warriors

The key factors guiding Audi to success are its technologies. Throughout the time the company is constantly improving the body structures, engines and in car technologies. These technical improvements serve as guiding features towards becoming a leader in the global automobile market.

Body Shells

Audi manufactures 100% galvanized cars to prevent corrosion. The company is the first mass market vehicle company to produce such cars. Earlier the company provided a 10-year warranty against corrosion of the body. However, the effectiveness of the newly adopted zinc coating has enabled the company to extend this warranty up to 12 years. Audi manufactured the first all aluminum car in the year 1994. The Audi A8 was the first car to make use of an aluminum space frame. This technology the, Audi Space Frame has been used consistently by the company to produce high performance vehicles. This frame helps to reduce the weight of the vehicles and provides the cars with superior aerodynamics.

Drive Layout

The company strongly disagrees to the conventional rear wheel drive layout privileged by other car manufacturers. The company favors the front wheel drive or the four-wheel drive layouts and makes use of a longitudinally front mounted engine in an overhung position, over the front wheels in front of the axle line. In 1970, Audi designed its own four-wheel drive (4WD) systems in passenger vehicles. The company has recently applied the Quattro badge to models such as the A3 and TT using the Swedish Haldex Traction electro-mechanical clutch 4WD systems.

Engines

Audi has always been the champion in the manufacturing of engines. The company manufactured the 2.1/2.2L, 5 cylinder engines as long lasting alternative to the conventional 6 cylinder engines in 1990′s. The new models such as the A3, A4, A6 and A8 use the 1.8L engines and replaced by new Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) engines. Most petrol engines incorporate the fuel saving technology. The petrol engines manufactured by Audi include,

• 1.6 liters 4 cylinder 115bhp (86 kW)
• 2.0 liters 4 cylinder 200bhp (150 kW)
• 3.2 liters V6 250-260bhp
• 5.2 liters V10 450bhp (336 kW)

The Direct Shift Gear Box

Audi introduced the DSG or Direct shift gearbox in the early 2000′s. The DSG is an automated manual transmission drivable like the conventional automatic transmission. These systems use an electro-hydraulically controlled clutch instead of a torque converter. The Audi A3 and TT make use of this system.

Twin-charger Technology (TSI)

The conventional engine with at least 1.4L capacity is combined with a turbocharger and supercharger to produce high power output, with lower levels of carbon-di-oxide emissions. These engines are extremely fuel-efficient compared to a non-turbo engine.

This engine produces an output of 140 and 170bhp (127 kW). These engines have gained popularity amongst the motoring press and public. The engines have possible entries into the Audi range with the Audi A3 and Audi A4 models.

Audi has strived constantly to improve the performances of their cars with technological advancements. With the growth of technology, the company aims at growing to be the leader in technologically advanced automobile market.

Car technologies play a vital role in modern cars. An assortment of new technologies has entered the market to ensure high levels of comfort, convenience, and enjoyment when it comes to driving a car.

Here are the top 5 high-tech car technologies:

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless signal that enables the driver to connect its mobile phone with the car’s audio system. In the modern cars, this new technology is fitted in most of the luxury cars like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Nissan, and Fiat. It is gradually taking the place of being a standard feature in Indian cars.

The system automatically links mobile phones to the hand-free system and allows the user to enjoy its favourite music tracks when behind the wheel. It also makes it possible to make and receive calls using the contacts saved in the mobile’s phone book without physically holding the phone. This advanced technology ensures best of entertainment and facilitates a safe drive on all journeys.

Navigation System

Car navigation system is a satellite navigation system that uses a GPS (global positioning system) navigation device that helps the driver to locate the position of its car on the city map. The system works on the installed sensors and satellites using which signals are exchanged with the car’s control unit.

The system helps the driver to locate its destination and get the best possible route to reach there. When the drive feeds the desired or targeted location in the car navigation system, the computer immediately displays the optimal route. It also displays the locations of various places like petrol pumps, supermarkets, restaurants, or ATMs that the driver may need on its way to the targeted destination. This technology is found on many cars plying on Indian roads including the models from Fiat, Mercedes, and BMW.

Night View Assist

Night View Assist is one of the most advanced technologies in all of the Mercedes-Benz cars. The technology works on an inbuilt infrared camera that takes a clear picture of the road ahead. The instrumentation of the car displays the picture taken by the infrared camera so that the driver can be well aware of any obstacles ahead on the road. It displays clear images of all the objects including human, animals, big stones, and split cargo on the road ahead. With the displayed information the driver can be well prepared in advance and enjoy a safer ride.

iPod Connection

iPod connections are mini-jacks are fitted in many of the modern day cars to ensure best of in-car entertainment for car owners. The introduction of iPod in cars is actually a huge leap forward for car technologies.

Through the iPod connections a user can connect all MP3 players to the jack and enjoy his or her favourite tracks when behind the wheel. With this introduction user can also navigate through tracks saved in the MP3 player using steering wheel mounted controls. iPod connectors are available in many cars including that from GM, Fiat, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

Blue&Me Technology

Blue&Me is one of the most advanced technologies that has spark a new revolution in car entertainment segment. It is designed by Fiat Auto and Microsoft and is gradually changing the way car owners communicate and enjoy music behind the wheel.

With this technology the user can make and receive phone calls using voice commands and also enjoy his or her favourite music tracks. If the mobile phone receives any message the system will read out the message for the user. So, without moving hands from the steering wheel, the user can easily communicate with anyone throughout the drive and listen to it will also listen to music. The system is user-friendly and the controls are mounted on the steering wheel.