New Audi Infotainment Tech Offers Better Entertainment Experience

Introduction of new technologies slated to start this fall for most 2021 Audi vehicles.

Audi has announced a host of new Generation 3 infotainment technologies expected to arrive in most 2021 Audi vehicles this fall, offering a faster, richer and more immersive user experience compared with the previous-generation MIB 2 system.

Equipped with a new chipset that is up to 10 times faster than previous Audi hardware, MIB 3 (Modular Infotainment Toolkit) is designed to provide customers with a number of new features including SiriusXM with 360L and hybrid digital radio and Function on Demand. For Audi A4 and A5 models with MIB 3 hardware, this will allow customers to purchase in-vehicle navigation for vehicles not optioned with it from the factory.

Additionally, the new Audi connect Generation 3 service introduces basic unlimited Wi-Fi included in Audi connect Prime with connectivity for up to eight devices. 2021 models expected to receive the latest MIB 3 features include: Audi A4, Audi A5, Audi A6, Audi A7, Audi A8, Audi Q3 (late arrival), Audi Q7 and Audi Q8, with other models to be announced at a later date.

MIB 3 at a Glance

• Wireless provider for in-vehicle functions: Verizon
• LTE Advanced Pro modem rated for up to 1 Gbps download speed
• 11ac Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz bands)
• HD voice communication
• New Linux-based operating system

In MIB 3-equipped vehicles, an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot is not only designed to be more powerful than in previous applications, but it also offers a new basic unlimited Wi-Fi included with Audi connect Prime for connectivity of up to eight devices. The entry Wi-Fi package is optimized for audio streaming and remote work applications. Meanwhile, Audi connect Plus customers are able to take advantage of full-speed, unlimited Wi-Fi through a 1 Gbps LTE Advanced Pro modem. New, more flexible subscription packages are also available. HD voice communication is able to understand more nuanced, conversational and natural speech.

New Applications

• SiriusXM with 360L: For the 2021 model year, most Audi models will have available or standard SiriusXM with 360L, vastly expanding the in-vehicle SiriusXM experience as well as adding more than 10,000 hours of on-demand content including exclusive interviews, live and in-studio concerts and smart “For You” content recommendations.
• Hybrid digital radio: For terrestrial FM or HD FM radio listeners on the go, hybrid digital radio allows them to continue listening to the same channel even after driving outside of the channel’s range. Either automatically or by request, once the hybrid radio senses a weak radio signal, it will switch to the online, digital version of the same channel. Conversely, the channel will switch back from a digital to a radio signal when it senses better reception. Upon cycling a vehicle off and on again, the digital radio station will continue to play.
• New myAudi app digital storefront experience with myAudi marketplace: Offers the ability to purchase in-car features and new, more flexible subscription plans. Plus, there is a simplified registration and payment processes for Audi connect Prime and Plus subscriptions.
• Function on Demand: Navigation: Function on Demand will include in-car navigation (2020 and 2021 A4 and A5 Premium or Premium Plus models).
• Amazon Alexa Auto available in more models: Introduced in the 2019 Audi e-tron SUV and expanded to the 2020 Audi Q3, Audi Q7, Audi Q8, A6, A7 and A8, available Amazon Alexa Auto integration allows users to pair their Alexa account with their Audi vehicles to be able to get directions, check news and weather, order groceries, add items to their to-do lists and stream music and audiobooks through services like Amazon Music and Audible.
• Expanded Integrated Toll Module availability: Available Integrated Toll Module (ITM), first introduced in the 2019 Audi e-tron and 2020 Audi Q7, is being added in the 2021 Audi Q8, A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8. ITM provides an added layer of convenience and aesthetic enhancement.

Model year 2021 vehicles with MIB 3 are expected to go on sale in the second half of 2020. The new features and applications complement an existing suite of technologies such as available in-vehicle 4G LTE hotspot, Traffic Light Information with Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory and the touchscreen MMI user interface that has spread throughout most of the Audi lineup. More information about pricing and user licensing for specific features will be available closer to on-sale timing.

Join the Team Speed forums now!