What Is Audi's Virtual Cockpit?

Cockpits were designed to provide the driver with essential information about the car to help them with their driving, with details such as speed, RPM, and fuel levels being traditional features included in most cockpits. Over the years, with the advancement of technology, cockpits have now evolved to become more modern and practical.

Audi developed an excellent virtual cockpit that combines necessary information with infotainment system features, to further enhance the driving experience it's known for. This article will explore Audi’s virtual cockpit and explain its functionality to help you determine if it may be ideal.

• What is Audi's virtual cockpit?
• When did Audi introduce the virtual cockpit?
• How does a virtual cockpit work?
• What are Audi’s virtual cockpit main features?
• Is Audi’s virtual cockpit worth it?
• Frequently asked questions

What is Audi's virtual cockpit?

Placed behind the steering wheel, Audi's virtual cockpit is a digital screen that displays the vehicle’s navigation information. Designed to be highly customisable, the driver can choose what information they want displayed onto the screen along with the standard features, which can include the sat nav map on full screen, Spotify playlist or the song that is currently playing, and speed they are currently driving in, just to mention a few.

The virtual cockpit is a modern replacement to the old school analogical approach, where the driver display unit was made up of physical needles and dials. Even though the virtual cockpit is a modenr technology, it does not work like a traditional infotainment system where you can touch the screen to change features. You can use the buttons on the steering wheel to control the virtual cockpit or use voice commands.

This new technology was developed to improve visibility, and provide real-time updates as well as dynamic content that assist the driver with navigation and allowing a more intuitive experience.

When did Audi introduce the virtual cockpit?

As one of the pioneers in the industry to introduce this technology to their vehicles, Audi first launched the virtual cockpit in 2014, and the first model to be equipped with it was the Audi TT shortly followed by the TTS and the Q7.

With time, Audi expanded the virtual cockpit to the rest of its new car range making it a standard feature for most current models, including all variants of the Q2, for example. Some models, including the A3, Q3, and Q5, are not equipped with the virtual cockpit, but they are offered as an add-on.

How does a virtual cockpit work?

Imagined to provide a sophisticated and smart information display, the virtual cockpit consists of a high-resolution screen and a computer software that responds to the control buttons placed on the steering wheel or voice commands.

Most of the information a motorist needs when driving can be found in the virtual display, including fuel and range alerts, fuel levels, speed, and revs as well as helpful alerts such as service reminders, navigation prompts, and phone notifications.

The virtual cockpit is integrated with Audi’s infotainment system, also known as MMI, which facilitates access to navigation features including, but not limited to, music, sat nav, phone contacts, and climate control information.

What are Audi’s virtual cockpit main features?

Developed to improve the driving experience, Audi designed a virtual cockpit that is highly customisable, practical, and intuitive to use. Besides the traditional features, the virtual cockpit can display apps and information available in the infotainment system. Here are some of the features you will be able to see:

• Display Views: Multiple layout options to choose from including classic, infotainment, navigation, sport and dynamic views.

• Navigation: High-resolution 3D maps with real time directions.

• Media: Radio, songs and playlists, phone calls.

• Real-time vehicle information: Speed, RPM, fuel level, mileage, fuel efficiency, driving behaviour analysis.

• Driver assistance features: Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, parking sensors, etc.

Is Audi’s virtual cockpit worth it?

Most drivers find the virtual cockpit worth it once they have got used to the system. The extra functionalities added to the cockpit makes driving an Audi more enjoyable and practical, specially considering that the display is placed right in the motorist’s eye line, making it easier to drive without taking their eyes off the road as often.

Most current models come with a virtual cockpit as standard featuring a software that was developed to be highly-intuitive. If you are unfamiliar with this technology and would like to experience it, you can book a test drive at your local Audi Stratstone retailer where one of our friendly associates will help you navigate the system and understand how the technology works.

If the model you are after does not come with a virtual cockpit as standard, you will have the option to include it as an add-on to the package, and all the functionalities will work smoothly like every other model.

Frequently asked questions