Car enthusiasts consider the 2016 International CES as the year’s first car show with appearances from Ford, Toyota, and Audi. But these brands haven’t released new models. Instead, they unveiled new ways to connect. Their innovations have blurred the lines between the automotive and the tech industry. Ford and Toyota pulled the curtain off their new connectivity options between their cars and your smartphone. On the other hand, Audi showed off their new dashboard that looks straight out of Star Wars.
Forget the V8 engine. It’s time to give the interiors the spotlight. Audi’s Virtual Dashboard is an upgrade over their Virtual Cockpit unveiled two years ago. Whereas the Virtual Cockpit replaces the dashboard and infotainment system with one screen, the Virtual Dashboard adds two more screens to the Cockpit’s one. The instrument panel remains within the driver’s vision. The Dashboard’s central screen houses the car’s infotainment and navigation system. Finally, the bottom screen has a haptic screen that displays the user’s favorite functions, as well as a handwriting feedback pad. Much like Apple’s 3D Touch technology, the bottom screen responds to deliberate presses and just casual flicks.
Audi’s mapping technology uses Nokia’s HERE which the company purchased last year. The feature will allow real-time updates for the driver’s convenience. It will also be able to accurately detect road signs and conditions on the fly with sensor technology, which Audi’s engine can interpret into its system.
Also, we were treated to an all-new Audi e-tron quattro concept at this year’s CES. But as we said, forget the V8 engine. This concept is armed and ready with three electric motors (one for the front axle and two for the rear). They can power out a maximum 370kW and 800Nm of torque. The concept can go from zero to a hundred in 4.6 seconds.
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