Herndon, Va. – Audi announced
T-Mobile USA will serve as the U.S. wireless carrier for its Audi Connect
systems in the company’s newest Audi luxury vehicle lines, beginning with the
2012 Audi A7 in April.
The Audi Connect
services include voice-activated Google Earth, Google Local Search, and Sirius
Traffic information combined with Google Earth imagery. Users can also obtain
real-time news, weather and fuel prices from other providers, Audi said, as
well as turn the vehicle into a secure mobile Wi-Fi hot spot.
Audi Connect services
are enabled with a T-Mobile SIM card inserted into the Audi MMI Navigation Plus
system. The SIM cards will be included with the vehicle; users will need to
sign up for a service plan. A six-month complimentary trial period is included.
In addition to the 2012
Audi A7, Audi Connect will appear this summer in the 2012 Audi A8 line, the
2012 Audi A6 and the 2012 Audi Q7. Future Audi models, such as the Audi Q5
Hybrid, will also feature Audi Connect, the car manufacturer said.
