2007 Audi Q7 in-dash system leaked

We're not normally too huge up on the car scene, but we've got to shout out Autospies (once again) for dropping some shots of yet another Engadget-approved European auto. The 2007 Audi Q7 in question features an in-dash display with nav system, rear camera, and directional overlays. But what we're a little disconcerted about is that Bluetooth cellphone integration going on there -- looks a helluva lot like a rotary phone interface, so just please don't say the rotary in that phone is the steering wheel, ok?

[Via The Raw Feed]

[Karl-Koenig Koenigsson @ Feb 20th 2006 2:52AM]

I know that BMW got rid of lots of buttons and things and replaced them with one big rotary knob. Perhaps this is something similar, i.e., there is a knob somewhere and a selection button to effectuate a choice? Just a thought.

[Paranoised @ Feb 20th 2006 3:40AM]

I'd imagine that a scrollwheel would be used, not the steering wheel. The car definitely looks interesting though...

[Andreas @ Feb 20th 2006 3:52AM]

There is a knob, it's the same system used in the Audi A8. It's called MMI. Here you can see the knob. http://www.audiworld.com/news/05/frankfurt/q7/q7debut028.

One thing that is is missing is MP3 or IPOD integration!

[Andreas @ Feb 20th 2006 3:54AM]

You have to add .jpg to make my link working. Sorry!

[ojala @ Feb 20th 2006 3:58AM]

Audi has already published a lot of photos of the Q7, the car has been available for close visits in most European car shows and it's probably shipping in e.g. Germany already. It's starting to ship over here in the Scandinavia in a few months and the test drive cars should be available any day now.

Check e.g. audiworld.com, Photo Galleries, Audi Models, Q7, Interior.

The only "problem" is the US car model years when you can buy a 2010 model in 2004 ;-)

[Andreas @ Feb 20th 2006 5:24AM]

Shipping in Germany will start in March, it has been in showrooms here in Germany since mid December.

[Philipp @ Feb 20th 2006 5:31AM]

Well, here in Switzerland the car is available and I have seen numerous cars driving around (the first one before NYE in St.Moritz...). So, you can't really say "leaked". The MMI actually works quite nicely, definitely less complicated than iDrive by BMW (at least, that's what I can tell from experience with Audi A6, who uses more or less the same interface, and BMW M5).

P.

[yet another Matt @ Feb 20th 2006 7:42AM]

Why not integrate it in to the steering wheel? Your not supposed to be using the phone whilst driving anyway, so you could park up and steer to select the number... ok, that would be a bit lame

[JinKazama @ Feb 20th 2006 7:56AM]

It's amazing that when BMW debuted iDrive it was universally panned and still is...yet more and more automakers are putting that type of interface in their cars...

I love my idrive.

[flareak @ Feb 20th 2006 8:40AM]

Wow.. Audi, that is just horrid. Please grow up? I don't want to be dialing numbers and letters for phone/navigation. With what we pay for a new Audi, you'd think they'd at least offer touch screen with that sexy modern interface. Who thinks that turning knobs to input stuff is safe on the road? Even if you aren't supposed to, SOMEONE's going to do it.

[Mark Naylor @ Feb 20th 2006 8:40AM]

The Q7 has already been featured on BBC's Top Gear - Winter Olympics show. Not great in the aesthetics dept. but a good crossover. They also (briefly) showed the interface mentioned here, though Jeremey said that it was complicated!

[Buthidae @ Feb 20th 2006 8:50AM]

Those look awesome!

I'd put two iPod-esque scroll-wheels on both sides of the steering wheel for thumb operation. Wicked!

[i.e @ Feb 20th 2006 9:50AM]

JinKazama you have to admit that the BMW idrive is still lacking. I think it should have a few buttons around the rotary knob. I love the overall look but sometimes it's just a hassle when I try to change the car temp while i'm in traffic. There should be a couple of buttons that can take you to menus faster.

[TheYoshi @ Feb 20th 2006 9:58AM]

I have an A6 and I will say that using the knob to dial numbers does suck. That said the car has voice activation so the ONLY time I ever need to do that is if I have someones number to dial that requires an extension. Worst case I just pick up the phone and use the keypad, since the integration is bluetooth that isn't a pain to do as it's not sitting in a cradle.

The voice system is fantastic, "Call John Smith at home, landline" does exactly that or you can say "Dial number" it says "the number please" you reply "555-1212, dial" and it does. The bluetooth integration will also allow you to import numbers from your sim card phone book or just access the phonebook through the menu.

Anyway, bottom line the interface is fantastic EXCEPT for dialing extensions, then it sucks. All in all great vehicle.

[motech @ Feb 20th 2006 10:27AM]

yes ,
voice recognition,
seriously folks what year is this?

and all the current audis with MMI
sport the same phone interface.


but i assure you,
the audis MMI is by far the best technology
in any consumer car right now.

[stuart @ Feb 20th 2006 10:28AM]

well, in contrast to The Yoshi my dad has an A6 and it is soooooooo easy to call people with, even without the voice activated thing. Engadget, dont worry, it will take you

[NickS @ Feb 20th 2006 10:39AM]

The display shows the call already connected - so my guess is that the dial controls the volume, ala the iPod scroll wheel.

[Eric @ Feb 20th 2006 11:24AM]

That's awful. Maybe B&O is designing the interface. They've already designed pop-up speakers for the A8 and this toad of a phone.

http://www.mobileburn.com/gallery.jsp?Id=2066

[martin @ Feb 20th 2006 12:00PM]

I have an A4 and the interface is pretty much the same for entering street addresses and such. Unfortunately the knob thingy turns the opposite way than an iPod's so I get pretty confused.

[Karl @ Feb 20th 2006 4:54PM]

Holy crap this is old news, Audis have been using that interface for years (~2003 IIRC).

The Nav system in my car was originally in a 2005 allroad, and the interface looks essentially the same. FWIW, my system can play MP3s off of two SD card readers behind the screen, no idea why Audi dropped that feature.

You do not need to dial the phone using the rotary dial as mentioned previously, it's mostly there for completeness. The most frequently used functions can be accessed directly by buttons, so the dial is mostly used for secondary functions like navigating sub menus, etc.

The system is manufactured by Aisin, FWIW.

[Jeffrey @ Feb 20th 2006 8:36PM]

Re: #3

It definitely plays MP3's.

*

[Rory @ Feb 21st 2006 3:10AM]

Most of the negative reviews of the i-drive interface and other systems seems to be from reviewers who have only have a little time to acquaint themselves with the menu structure and operation.

One you've lived with one of these systems for a while, finding the functions and features you want is pretty easy, and certainly better than having 20+ buttons to learn and locate.