Audi Connect will be the name of Audi’s new vehicle networking strategy as it bundles all applications and developments that link current and future models with the internet under one umbrella.

The company is hoping to build on its collaboration with Google that began back in 2005 and look more closely at the fields of online vehicle connection; networking the car and its owner; and networking the car with the infrastructure and other vehicles.

Audi Connect is already present in the Audi A8, A7 Sportback and the new A6, and is set to debut in the A1. Each of these models comes with an optional UMTS module linking them to the online world making applications such as Google Earth accessible in the navigation system’s map display.

In addition, Audi Connect defines the network between the car and the owner with Audi allowing its drivers to use a wide range of Smartphone functions specially adapted for their Audi model. It will also play an important role for vehicles powered by electricity as in prototypes of the Audi A1 E-tron the driver can view the status of a rechargeable battery on their cell phone display at all times.

Furthermore, Audi Connect will look at the connection between the car and its environment including car to car; car to x; and x to car communications. It has already joined up with various partners to launch the Travolution project where more than 150 traffic signals in Ingolstadt were equipped to communicate with 15 test vehicles.