In a fast-changing world, staying connected has never been more important, and the ability to stay in touch safely even when you’re on the move reaches a new level with Audi connect plus.

With high-speed internet access built into the car, a whole world of previously unavailable features and functionality is now literally at your command. Think of it as something like smartphone technology literally integrated into your Audi that offers the ability to be connected in a whole new way.

A marriage of vehicle technology and the environment that changes the ways in which the driver and their occupants interact with the vehicle, before, during and after the journey – a world of convenience that will quickly become a part of the everyday – so much so that you’ll wonder how you ever functioned without it.

Although a certain level of connectivity has been available in some Audi models for some time, the full, Audi connect plus system will be available in the Audi A6 when it arrives in Australia later in the year as well as in the Audi A7 Sportback, Audi A8 and the Audi Q8.

The services and information now available at your fingertips and on the move covers everything from navigation and infotainment to weather updates, to available services, selected restaurants (and restaurant reviews), even parking stations and the number of spaces available, opening hours and costs. Likewise the system allows you to find not only the nearest petrol stations, but gauge where is best in terms of price and of course what sort of traffic conditions you’re likely to encounter on your way there. 

The Audi connect plus system allows you to control these and myriad other services from your smart phone using the myAudi app. Uploading new destinations to your car even when you’re sitting back at home, monitor your fuel and oil levels remotely, even reminding you where you are parked if it’s been a long day and you’ve lost track.

You can also lock and unlock your car remotely, check that you’ve left the window up or, if you’ve loaned someone the car – say a child – you can have the system send you a push notice if certain alert services are triggered – they exceed a certain pre-set speed limit or leave a pre-set area.

But the benefits go far deeper and can be life saving. Take for example a simple breakdown or problem while on the road. With the Audi connect plus system, you can be in touch with the roadside assistance service by simply pressing a button. Along with making the call to roadside assistance for you, all of the relevant data will be sent to the e-call centre, so that they will be able to see everything from your exact location, to the  exact Audi you’re driving as well as the vehicle’s diagnostics and current condition.

This same convenience is available for Audi incident assistance, which is triggered in the event of an accident where the airbags are not deployed. Even if you see an incident that needs reporting, once again it relays all relevant location information to a call centre that will be able to dispatch the appropriate assistance.

In the event of an accident where the airbags are deployed, your car will automatically connect to the Audi emergency call centre and send the GPS co-ordinates of your position as well as all relevant information to allow for the speedy dispatch of the right assistance. Information like the direction your vehicle was travelling in at the time of the accident and how many people are in the car will be sent to aid emergency teams to best help you.

Even if the unthinkable happens and you and your passengers are unable to communicate with the call centre, emergency services will still be notified and dispatched to your location.

You can also trigger the Audi emergency call manually, say if you or one of your passengers has a medical emergency or you see a serious incident on the road where others are in need of emergency help – again, sending your co-ordinates and connecting you to someone in the official Audi call centre who will stay with you while help is sent.

Although these are not things we like to think about when buying a car or setting out on a journey, this is life-saving technology that brings with it a certain peace of mind that should the unthinkable happen, then effectively, your Audi has your back.

It’s the car-technology interface of the future, and it’s available right now. Driving will never be the same again.