2011 Audi A8 offers Wi-Fi access inside the vehicle

The new 2011 Audi A8 is allegedly the first car in the world to offer an optional factory-installed WLAN hotspot for Wi-Fi access. Of course, this means that all your passengers will probably spend less time talking to you and more time on their laptops, Apple iPads and iPhones or netbooks.

Look how simple it is to get everyone to ignore you:

Using the WLAN hotspot is remarkably simple. To activate Internet access with speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/s, the driver merely needs to insert a data-capable SIM card into the Bluetooth online car phone. Alternatively, an Internet connection can be established via Bluetooth by using a compatible mobile phone with a SIM Access Profile. Any existing mobile phone contract can be used for this ““ often coupled with a flat-rate data plan.

All this is made possible through a rooftop antenna of the Audi A8 via the car”s own UMTS module. This enables the most connection stability with great reception quality.

We’re guessing this is moving Audi closer to allowing drivers to download iPhone-style software directly into their vehicles. Read more about that here.

Refresher: Power for the 2011 Audi A8 comes from a 4.2L FSI direct-injection V8 that makes 372-hp and a maximum torque of 328 lb-ft. Mated to an 8-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, the 2011 A8 will go from 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.

2011 Audi A8:

– By: Omar Rana