More Driverless Tech from CES 2014 with Audi A7 and Navia

Audi brought out a self-driving A7 to this year’s edition of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and they didn’t do so in vain and even offered journalists rides in it.

This allowed CNN reporters to discover that while the technology is not yet perfect and sometimes make for a jerky autonomous ride, the progress over last year’s is evident in the packaging – no more exposed wiring looms for 2014.

Ford also brought out its latest advancement in the field: cars that talk to each other. This is different to a system that relies solely on sensors to predict a threat, and Ford’s idea is that you are actually warned in advance. It would probably work best in conjunction with the radar, cameras and lasers.

Navia is another driver-less mobility (self-driving shuttle is what they call it) pod present at the show, and again is one that people actually got a chance to sit in. It’s a slow-moving means of transporting a small group of people around closed roads with no traffic (college campuses are the example given). What’s nice about it is that it’s simple and has already seen active duty, without facing any of the legal challenges – Consumer Reports got to try it out.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Take a Close Video Look at 2015 Audi TT's Cockpit from CES

While not a first in any way, as we've already seen production cars like the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Cadillac CTS boast all-digital and customizable instrument clusters, Audi was still able to draw the media's spotlights on its next generation TT's cabin at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (January 7-10).

The sharp looking dashboard does away with many controls to reduce the clutter and (supposedly) improve ergonomics, but the main reason why it captured our attention is the 12.3-inch TFT that replaces not only the traditional instrument gauges, but the center console MMI infotainment screen as well.

If you're worried about the huge 3D navigation map seen in the press photos drawing your attention away from the road with its bright colors, the all-digital instrument panel allows the driver to switch between different modes, showing, for example, virtual gauges in a choice of sizes.

It's worth noting that the graphics on the TFT display are enabled through an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor chip.

The way the industry works, it's only a matter of time before fully-digital displays make their way down to more affordable mainstream models.

For now, take a video look at the 2015 Audi TT's dashboard in a selection of clips we found on YouTube from a number of sources including CNET and Autobild magazine.

VIDEO

Audi RS7 Takes on Porsche Panamera Turbo in Latest Head 2 Head

Both are German, all-wheel-drive, turbocharged, V8-powered super sedans. Well, sort of, as none of them really respect the definition of a sedan and can be better described as five-door liftbacks.

The Porsche Panamera Turbo and the Audi RS7 are also from the same automotive group, so the duel staged in the latest Head 2 Head episode is even more interesting.

They’re both staggeringly fast, and that's unsurprising given their powerplants. The Audi is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 560 horsepower, while the Porsche’s 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 unit produces 520 horsepower.

The two models are driven on the test track and a canyon road to see which is better overall and it turns out they are close in terms of performance. However, the Audi RS7 is about $60,000 cheaper than the Porsche, which begs the question: is the Panamera that much better?

You’ll have to watch the video below to find out.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Tiff Needell Helps EVO See Difference between Virtual and Reality in an Audi R8

So if you were wondering just how close to real the physics engine running Forza 5 is, EVO did a comparative test to determine just that. In doing so they required an Xbox One and one going by the name of Tiff Needell, of British TV fame. He also happens to be a fan of the car chosen for the test, an Audi R8 V10, which he drives to the best of his abilities.

At the virtual end of the spectrum, the magazine employed the services of in-house editor, and wearer of big sideburns, Henry Catchpole to try and get to grips with the polygon-based R8.

The track chosen for the compare was Silverstone, as it was a track familiar to both.

In the end, the conclusion was that while the game is realistic (to a degree, of course), in the case of the R8, it simply cannot simulate its intricacies of its behavior to the extent of it mimicking the real car. For instance, on the day of filming, the track was damp and Tiff’s run was blunted by excessive understeer around some corners – if the track had been dry, the car would have simply remained planted around all corners and maybe pushed its back out when on the throttle too quickly; that’s the only behavior it knows how to exhibit in-game.

Check out the full video below for the complete picture!

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Super Enthusiastic Woman Wins $157k Audi R8 Spyder

In times of stress, each person reacts in his or her own way, but who can really fault this woman for being extremely forward with her emotions while participating in the latest episode of the "Price is Right"?

Sheree Heil from Tacoma, Washington, was playing for a brand new Audi R8 V8 Spyder worth $157,300 this past Monday, which she managed to win along with other prizes and cash to become the game's biggest winner ever as her earnings totaled $170,345, according to Today Entertainment,

See how she pulled it off in the video that you'll find after the jump [pun intended].

VIDEO

SuperBowl Ads? Audi Tells BMW, Lexus and Merc Buyers that New A3 Sedan is the Shameless Choice

Audi has set in motion a rather antagonistic campaign for the U.S. launch of its all-new 2015 A3 sedan that will begin arriving in dealer lots early next year with prices starting from $29,900 for the base 170hp 1.8-liter model.

The new spots aim against rivaling brands BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, declaring that the 2015 Audi A3 is the car of choice for buyers who are looking for a compact executive sedan that won't bring forth feelings of shame and remorse – if that makes sense.

"Don't give in to the temptations to settle for the wrong luxury car," reads one of the four ads, while another one says, "Father knows best -- especially when it comes to saving yourself for the right luxury car."

We haven’t confirmed this yet, but there's a very strong possibility that the four fresh spots found on Audi's YouTube page hidden from plain site (locked) could be the brand's 2014 Super Bowl ads – it’s not uncommon for companies to release them early, and perhaps Audi is testing the waters online before it airs them on TV.

Thanks to Jason from A3forums for the tip!

VIDEO