Driver assistance systems

Relieving the human behind the wheel of routine tasks and intervening to help in critical traffic situations: In the new A5, Audi provides a wide range of driver assistance systems with functions that significantly improve everyday life and road safety for all road users.

Standard features on Audi A5 models from market launch include a rear parking aid with distance display, cruise control and speed limiter, lane departure warning, efficiency assistant, and an attention and drowsiness warning.

The scope of standard equipment in Audi S5 models is significantly expanded. For example, in addition to the functions described above, the S model comes as standard with adaptive cruise assist, park assist plus with distance display, traffic sign-based speed limiter, park assist plus, and, if a trailer hitch has been specified, trailer assist.

A wide range of optional assistance systems can be configured for the Audi A5 and S5 models. A particular highlight is the adaptive driving assistant plus, which uses high-resolution map data and swarm data from other vehicles aggregated in the cloud. The system thus optimizes traffic sign recognition and provides support when accelerating, maintaining speed and distance, and with lane guidance. This can increase ride quality, especially on long journeys.

The system uses various sensors to continually monitor the vehicle's surroundings. These include the radar sensor installed in the front of the vehicle, the front camera, and the ultrasonic sensors. Depending on the region, high-resolution map data and swarm data from other vehicles aggregated in the cloud are also used to improve driving behavior. From a fusion of this information, the system calculates the route ahead and guides the car comfortably and in the center of the lane through traffic using supportive steering interventions.

At the same time, the system reacts to vehicles in front and approaching vehicles with distance control and anticipates and adapts the vehicle speed to speed limits and situations such as bends, junctions, roundabouts, and highway ramps and exits. In stop-and-go traffic, the system brakes to a standstill and can set off again automatically, depending on how long the vehicle has been stationary. The speed is reduced at stop signs to allow the driver to take over the situation comfortably. Thanks to the large number of parameters included, the Adaptive Driving Assistant delivers a comfortable driving experience across the entire speed range and in traffic jam situations. Functional content may vary depending on country availability and vehicle configuration.

The standard Active Front Assist combines four assistance functions: Front Emergency Brake Assist, Evasion Assist, Cornering Assist, and Front Cross Traffic Assist.

The front emergency brake assist provides support in critical situations in front of the vehicle. If a child suddenly runs into the road or the vehicle in front brakes abruptly, the A5 brakes automatically. Pedestrians are detected in a speed range up to around 85 km/h, and vehicles up to the maximum speed. If an imminent head-on collision is detected, the system issues a visual, acoustic, and haptic warning in a multi-stage concept and ultimately initiates emergency braking to reduce speed or avoid the collision if possible.

The swerve assist helps to avoid an obstacle in critical situations. After a warning, the swerve assist initiates the correction of the steering angle through targeted braking and by triggering a small amount of torque on the steering wheel. The swerve assist is available in the speed range between 30 and 150 km/h and requires the driver to actively steer during the entire maneuver.

Front turn assist can prevent a collision with an oncoming vehicle at speeds of up to 25 km/h by applying the brakes. This driver aid is activated when the driver activates the turn signal. Front turn assist then monitors the oncoming lane and applies the brakes if necessary. The driver is informed about the maneuver in the instrument cluster.

The front cross-traffic assist detects critical cross-traffic and issues a visual and audible warning. If necessary, it triggers a short braking jolt – up to a speed of 10 km/h. Junction Assist is active up to a speed of 30 km/h. If drivers want to inch their way into a junction or have limited visibility to exit at low speed, the parking button can be activated. This brings the images from the surrounding cameras to the MMI touch display. They significantly extend the field of vision with a choice of different camera perspectives.

The emergency assistant recognizes within the system limits when the driver is inactive. If no action is taken by the driver, the system takes over control of the Audi A5 and brings the vehicle to a standstill in its lane. The assistant gives a visual, audible, and haptic warning with brake jolts and switches on the hazard warning lights. The occupant protection measures, such as tightening the seat belts to optimize the seating position, are then gradually activated. Once the Audi A5 has come to a standstill, it is prepared for the rescue of its occupants and the emergency assistant makes an automatic emergency call, depending on the country.

The parking assistant plus helps drivers park and unpark effortlessly. The A5 takes care of steering, accelerating, braking, and turning off the engine. Park Assist plus is activated via the MMI. The system can park forwards and backward in parallel and perpendicular parking spaces between vehicles. Park Assist plus is standard equipment in the Audi S5.

The reversing camera shows the detection area behind the vehicle on the MMI display. Dynamic display elements, such as a calculated path, assist with parking or maneuvering. Four wide-angle surrounding cameras cover the entire area close to and around the vehicle, enabling various views for even more convenient maneuvering. The driver can control the views via the MMI display.

The trailer assistant provides support when using the vehicle as a towing vehicle. It is compatible with all trailers with a fixed drawbar. When reversing, the trailer can be steered automatically with the trailer assist. The direction is conveniently controlled via touch control on the MMI display. When reversing, the camera image shows the system status, the reaction of the combination, and the current or desired articulation angle. While the system is active, a collision between the vehicle and trailer is avoided when reversing.

Adaptive Cruise Control automatically adjusts the vehicle's speed to the traffic flow. Alternatively, drivers can choose the traffic sign-based speed limiter. Here, they can control the speed with the accelerator pedal as usual, but it is limited to the automatically set speed. The set speed values are based on speed limits from the stored and monthly updated map data and the camera-based traffic sign recognition. The currently set speed and – as soon as available – the speed limit ahead are displayed. Adaptive Cruise Control comes as standard on the Audi S5.

When turning with the blinker activated, the rear turning assistant aids drivers by informing them of bicycles or other vehicles approaching from behind. If a situation is classified as critical, the indicator on the respective mirror lights up dimly. If a collision is imminent during an ongoing turning maneuver, the assistant warns via various escalation levels, such as a brightly flashing indicator, a warning tone, and haptically with a brake jolt.

The exit warning system assists when exiting a parallel parking space by informing drivers or cyclists approaching from behind. If a vehicle is classified as critical in parking mode, the display on the respective mirror and the ambiance lighting in the door light up. The system issues a visual warning If the driver pulls the door handle. The system also prevents the door from opening in hazardous situations. However, if the door is already open and a vehicle is approaching the critical area, an acoustic warning sounds in addition to the visual warning.

The rear cross-traffic assist provides support when pulling out of parking spaces by warning of bicycles or other vehicles crossing behind. If a vehicle is classified as critical, a visual display appears in the MMI. If the vehicle reverses into crossing traffic, the assistant warns acoustically via various escalation levels until it brakes to a standstill to avoid a collision.

While driving on multi-lane roads, the lane change assistant provides support when changing lanes by scanning the traffic in the adjacent lane and informing the driver accordingly. If a vehicle is classified as critical, the indicator on the respective mirror lights up. If a lane change is then initiated, the indicator flashes very brightly. At higher speeds, for example, outside built-up areas on freeways, a possible lane change is detected by approaching the lane line. In critical situations, the system warns visually in the MMI and acoustically with a warning tone.

The new Audi A5 models help drivers keep an overview of stressful situations. When the vehicle is parked, the MMI display shows the rear seat warning, which warns the driver not to forget anyone, especially children, in the rear seats. If a rear door was opened before starting the journey, an additional message appears in the Audi virtual cockpit on exiting. An extended range of functions is available as an option: sensor-supported occupant detection in the rear. A radar sensor in the headliner scans whether there are people in the rear seats. The system warns the driver not to forget any passengers, especially children, in the rear seat before they leave the vehicle. After the driver has left the vehicle and locked it, the system checks the rear seats and the footwell again. If a person is detected, it reinforces the warning with repeated visual and acoustic signals: Flashing warning lights and horn.

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.