Audi updates MMI system for 2010 A3, TT and R8
Audi's Multi-Media Interface, which is arguably the best of the various all-in-one graphical user interface systems favored, has just got better. According to Audi, resolution on the system's 6.5-inch screen is getting bumped up to 800 x 480, route calculation will happen faster with a 600 MHz processor, and you can scroll along the route – not just vertically and horizontally – and get speed limit data on highways.
Additionally, the system will also finally charge external MP3 players that are plugged in to the system, song titles will be displayed,
The new A3, TT, and R8 will be the first to benefit from next-step MMI when they arrive in Stateside dealerships in the autumn. U.S. pricing hasn't been announced yet, but you can read about all of the next-gen system's new bells and whistles in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE
Updated Audi navigation system plus
**Available in U.S. model year 2010 Audi vehicles mentioned below, arriving at U.S. dealers in Fall 2009**
- 800 x 480 pixel, high-resolution graphics
- Significantly faster route calculation
- Available in the Audi A3, TT and R8
INGOLSTADT, Germany, Jun 30, 2009 - The new Audi navigation system plus with MMI (Multi Media Interface) operating logic in the A3, TT and R8 offers improved screen resolution and unmatched route calculation speed. The radio-navigation system, version E (RNS-E), can be combined with the Audi music interface and reads up to 32 GB SD memory cards. The new system is available immediately and costs between 2,270 and 2,565 euros, depending on the model.
The most obvious improvement are the 800 x 480 pixel, high-resolution graphics displayed on the 6.5-inch screen. Route calculation is blazingly fast thanks to a latest-generation processor clocked at 600 MHz. In addition to the recommended lane, the split-screen display now also shows speed limits taken from the navigation data for freeways and highways. In topographic map view, the driver and front passenger can scroll vertically, horizontally and now also along the route as they wish.
External storage media or MP3 players such as an iPod can be attached via the Audi music interface, which is available to customers as optional equipment. Another new benefit is that it charges the external devices.
The navigation system plus now features the intuitive operating logic of the media playback menu, which can also be found in the latest Audi MMI systems. Title information is now displayed, making it easier to search through the music collection.
A Bluetooth adapter for the Audi music interface available at retail stores enables wireless music playback from a mobile phone or MP3 player. There is no need to visit the dealership just to keep the Audi music interface up to date: Updates can be downloaded free of charge from www.audi.de/mp3 and transferred to the car via a USB stick.
On the back of the display, which can be folded away at the push of a button, are two slots for SD and SDHC cards with capacities of up to 32 GB. That is enough for up to 14,000 songs – 700 hours or one month of uninterrupted listening enjoyment.
Also new is the optical parking assistant. In the Audi R8 it can be combined with the rearview camera. In addition to acoustic warning signals, the distance to the front and to the rear is now displayed optically on the high-resolution display. When combined with the rearview camera, the graphics from the parking assistant are superimposed over the live image from the camera.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
zamafir 5:33PM (6/30/2009)
Screw the RNS-510. I'll take the A3 version please.
Reply
Dennis DeSilva 5:49PM (6/30/2009)
It's about time. Will the TDI A3 be here for 2010 as well?
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Will 5:51PM (6/30/2009)
Yup, this fall.
audi_arena 7:17PM (6/30/2009)
This is long overdue in the R8 and TT. I simply can't explain to one more customer why they can't see the names of the songs on thier ipod in thier brand new expensive sports car, but the retard to just bought a front-trak A4 can.
doc b 10:10PM (6/30/2009)
As silly as it sounds. Two things make the R8 not super-awesome (in my eyes).
1. The roof line REALLY bothers me. The convertible should fix that, plus it'll sound better in tunnels.
2. The MMI on the R8 doesn't show the names and songs or pictures. Why is this superadvanced technology available on the A4 and not the R8?
-don't even get me started on touchscreens!
jj 1:01PM (7/02/2009)
@audi_arena
do you always refer to your customers as "retards"?
JDM Life 6:25PM (6/30/2009)
I heard & read that Audi's Multi-Media Interface was not very good at good at all.
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audi_arena 6:27PM (6/30/2009)
I heard that 95% of the general public are morons
paul34 6:52PM (6/30/2009)
Yea, because it's not "mad tyte JDM, y0" I guess it must definitely suck, even though you've never even used it once.
zamafir 1:33AM (7/01/2009)
lmao, i love jdm life, his general concensis comments of the automotive world consists of the most random bs on here. Read any auto review. CAR. EVO. TopGear. Car and Driver. Any review. Any country. MMI will win. In it's most advanced iteration (3) it's utterly remarkable and easily trumps everything out there. Though, JDM would need to read those magazines, or actually drive a new audi, which would invariably nip such futile comments in the bud to begin with. It's an odd catch 22 i know.
b0nesc 2:15AM (7/01/2009)
Audi's MMI is the best, this is coming from someone who loves BMW's (not BBW's).
iDrive v2 is way better than the first generation but can't even touch Audis MMI. I like the little volume knob that is perfectly right where it is supposed to be, you can hit it with your pinky finger. I wish BMW would realize that you should not have to go trough menus to activate the radio.
Freedman 9:00AM (7/01/2009)
I think it's great. Very happy with it and I don't even have the latest 3D Nav which released this year.
JZeke 10:54AM (7/01/2009)
I work for a manufacturer who has partnered with Audi and others on the earlier systems. We're currently developing these systems for non-automotive customers.
As part of the research, I've explored the Gen III MMI, the latest iDrive, Hyundai's system, and many others.
Comparing MMI to iDrive, the latest gen of iDrive is more intuitive, fluid and graphically appealing than MMI. MMI however trumps iDrive in its multiple control redundancies through buttons & interface (that said, BMW does now provide radio/telephone/cd/and navigation hot keys on the controller).
In use, I would argue that while iDrive has a steeper learning curve it offers far more control and flexibility. The new 7 series provides 8 memory keys to remember anything from destinations, emails, radio stations etc. For the average driver, once those keys are programmed thats really it. Plus theres a volume knob right there by those hot keys on the dash, and a voice control function on the steering wheel. I think Audi offers a voice control on the steering as well, but I didn't see it in the cars I tested.
Audis hot keys are more successful on the A5 where they are vertically mounted, than the console mount of the Q5 - but the lack of joysticking ability (limited to a thumb-stick on the main encoder) hampers on-screen mobility, and I found was less comfortable to use (again, on the Q5 we tested).
Hyundai's system trumps them all for ease of use though - it just offers far less flexibility and options.
John P. 7:26PM (6/30/2009)
Is it voice activated like the Ford Sync system? Flipping through artists/albums/tracks by hand to find just the right soundtrack for doing 90mph along a twisty country road isn't much fun.
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audi_arena 7:41PM (6/30/2009)
That's unlikely. Although even the best voice controlled systems still are more annoying than a good heads up display like Audi's- which is between the spedo and tach
paul34 8:11PM (6/30/2009)
A display between the speedo and tach is not a heads up display.
IowaSuby 8:11PM (6/30/2009)
If you can operate your cruise control (which requires you to remove your hand from the steering wheel in the audi) you can operate the Audi MMI system. Scroll through songs on the steering wheel with your left thumb while watching the display between the speedometer and the tach, it's pretty easy to do.
John P. 8:21PM (6/30/2009)
That does sound pretty good. Thanks for the info.
zamafir 1:36AM (7/01/2009)
It'd be odd if it wasn't. Why audi would go through the effort of imbuing cars like the Q5 with some of the best voice recognition technology in cars today (with MMI 3) and not make said update to this brand new unit slated for the R8, TT-RS, etc, is beyond me.
Freedman 9:03AM (7/01/2009)
Audi has done some great work with the Q5's 3D NAV. It seems to work flawlessly and just saying "Im hungry" gets the restaurant menu going. I was impressed actually.