Audi A4 Avant 3.2 FSI Quattro: In the Autoblog garage, day 3-4

Autoblog is finishing their hands-on review of the Audi A4 Avant 3.2 quattro with a look at the interior and built-in gadgets.

Manufacturers seem to be more and more interested in filling our cars with lots of technological headaches. Audi, on the other hand, has managed to place a well-thought out, actually useful suite of applications into their MMI system. MMI stands for Multimedia Interface, and it’s deceptively simple.

Now, besides having a DVD navigation system, which has a pretty decent directory, the Audi has a surprise behind its monitor. Not just one, but two SD/MMC memory card slots for playing MP3 music files. This is some kind of techno-geeks dream car. Files on the SD card can be brought up under the CD/SD function button.

Not only does the A4 offer these SD slots, but it’s also fitted with Bluetooth. If your phone has Bluetooth, you can pair it with the Audi’s navigation system. Turn your phone on, browse for local Bluetooth devices, enter the passkey and you’re on your way. You can then place the call a number of ways; we had the most luck when we put the navigation system into ‘Tel’ mode. When you press the command button on the steering wheel, the system turns down the ventilation system and the radio, beeps and, if you don’t response with your verbal commands, will give you a list of voice commands to use. It’s surprisingly accurate. The system will also bring up your phone’s address book and allow you to choose contacts in the multifunction display in the instrument cluster.

Overall, the features included with the A4 are all usable and helpful tools to ease the business of traveling. The Avant has all the utility of a wagon with an extra touch of class and thoughtful enhancements. It’s a five-star wagon. The more technologically advanced solutions that Audi has added will be a welcome addition to the techno-savvy without totally alienating those who are not interested in gadgets.

GermanCarBlog, Audi A4

Source: Autoblog

Audi A4 Avant 3.2 FSI Quattro: In the Autoblog garage, day 3-4

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