2003 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro Sedan 6-speed Manual on 2040-cars

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Car technology I'm thankful and unthankful for

The past few years have seen a surge of tech features in new vehicles — everything from cloud-based content to semi-autonomous driving. While some of it makes the driving experience better, not all tech is useful or well thought out. Automakers who are adept at drivetrains, ride quality and in-cabin comforts often fail at infotainment interfaces and connectivity. From testing dozens of vehicles each year and in the spirit of gratitude, here are three car tech features I'm thankful — and a trio I could live without. Thanks Connected search: This seems like a no-brainer since everyone already has it on their smartphones, but not all automakers include it in the dashboard and as part of their nav systems. The best ones, such as Toyota Entune, leverage a driver's connected device to search for a range of services and don't charge a subscription or require a separate data plan for the car. I also like how systems like Chrysler Uconnect use Yelp or other apps to find everything from coffee to gas stations and allow searching via voice recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: It took two of the largest tech companies to get in-dash infotainment right. While they have their disadvantages (you're forced to use Apple Maps with CarPlay, for example), the two smartphone-integration platforms make it easier and safer to use their respective native apps for phoning, messaging, music and more behind the wheel by transferring a familiar UI to the dashboard — with no subscription required. Heated seats and steering wheels: I really appreciate these simple but pleasant features come wintertime. It's easy to get spoiled by bun-warmers on frosty mornings and using a heated steering wheel to warm the cold hands. I recently tested a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe that also had heated armrest that added to a cozy luxury experience. Bonus points for brands like Buick that allow setting seat heaters to turn on when the engine is remotely started. No thanks Automaker infotainment systems: Automakers have probably poured millions into creating their own infotainment systems, with the result largely being frustration on the part of most car owners. And Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming along to make them obsolete. While some automaker systems, such as Toyota Entune and FCA's Uconnect, are easy and intuitive to use, it seems that high-end systems (I'm looking at you BMW iDrive and Mercedes-Benz COMAND) are the most difficult.

Audi R8 V10 Plus takes on Ducati Diavel in straight line

The classic car-versus-motorcycle comparison is put to the test as Autocar pits a 2013 Audi R8 V10 against the Ducati Diavel in a run from 0-150-0 miles per hour. While you might expect the 162-horsepower Ducati weighing just 515 pounds to blow away the 542-horse, 3,500-pound Audi, this particular test measures the acceleration and braking of both high-performance machines.
Drag racing an Audi R8 against a Ducati on a long, flat stretch of concrete sounds fun to us, and Autocar documented the whole test for our viewing pleasure. We don't want to spoil the fun for you, so let's just say that a Volkswagen-owned brand wins. Scroll down to watch the video for yourself.

Audi prepping minor refresh for S6

Audi is well underway with testing for all of the refreshed versions of its A6-based sedan. We've already shown you shots of the Euro-spec A6 Allroad (which will wear some of its styling with our US-spec A6 sedan), and now we have some shots of a car that will actually arrive in the United States - the S6.
Like the Allroad, this will be quite a modest refresh, with tweaks to the headlights and taillights, as well as some slightly revised front and rear fascias. The headlights should get a new LED DRL pattern, although we doubt the changes will be much more drastic than that.
As with the Allroad, it seems likely that Audi will make a few very small changes to the interior, while the MMI infotainment system should also see an update. Changes under the hood, though, are more difficult to guess. That said, minor changes could be in store, but don't expect a dramatic increase in power or performance.