Controls and displays

New concept: touch displays instead of switches
The operating concept in the Audi Q8 needs almost no buttons or knobs. It focuses on two high-resolution touch displays. This allows the brand to demonstrate how it transfers its uncompromising quality claim to the digital world. The graphical user interface is so clean that information can be gleaned quickly. As on a smartphone, the menu structure is flat and easy to understand, and includes freely configurable favorites and start screens.

The 10.1-inch upper display is used for controlling the infotainment and the navigation system. The 8.6-inch lower display allows the driver to manage the heating, ventilation
and air conditioning as well as comfort functions and text input. The driver’s wrist can rest comfortably on the wide tiptronic selector lever during operation. The MMI touch response concept allows fast and reliable operation. A tactile and acoustic click confirms when a finger activates a function.

Text entry on the lower display also detects letters drawn over top of each other and confirms this with acoustic feedback. MMI search is based on free text input. If the driver is looking for a restaurant, for example, a list of hits appears after just a few letters.

“I am hungry”: voice control
The Audi Q8 comes standard with natural language voice control, which turns it into an intelligent conversationalist. Drivers can formulate their statements freely. The voice
control can, for example, understand the sentence “I am hungry” and in response suggests restaurants close by. The dialog goes beyond menu boundaries. For example, the user can call a contact from the telephone book and add the address as a destination.

Voice control replies to commands and questions in two ways: with the data stored onboard or with detailed knowledge from the cloud. The online information tends to be more comprehensive; the onboard information can be accessed extremely quickly and reliably, even where there is no mobile communications network.

Even sportier: the new Audi virtual cockpit plus
MMI navigation plus comes standard with the Audi virtual cockpit.Its high-resolution 12.3-inch display with 1,920 x 720 pixels can be switched between two views – classic and navigation – with the multifunction steering wheel. After market launch, the Audi virtual cockpit plus option will offer a third interface with particularly sporty display graphics. 

RPM and speed are shown here as bar diagrams with red graphical elements. The optional head-up display projects important information onto the windshield, including detailed lane guidance for safe navigation. The image window for it measures 217 x 84 millimeters (8.5 x 3.3 in) and is in the driver’s direct field of view. The projection thus appears to float above the road a good two meters (6.6 ft) in front of the windshield.

All terms marked in the text are explained in detail in the technology lexicon at www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/technology-lexicon.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.