Audi, the German luxury carmaker, has announced the release of its software update 3.2 for the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron from the model year 2023 onwards. The update, which includes features such as Plug&Charge, future over-the-air updates, and increased DC charging capacity, will also be available for all older models.
Audi has touted software update 3.2 as delivering functions with “high everyday utility”. However, the extent of the update will depend on the age of the vehicle. Vehicles produced in the model year 2023, starting from calendar week 35/2022, will have the update installed as standard.
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For MY-2022 vehicles with a production date from calendar week 08/2022, Audi already delivered software 3.0 or 3.1, which includes optimized DC charging power up to 135 kW and the option to define a preferred charging window. With the 3.2 update, these vehicles will receive additional features, such as the Plug&Charge function, the ability for OTA updates, and new designs for the MMI screen background.
Meanwhile, older Q4 e-tron vehicles produced before calendar week 8/2022 will receive even more upgrades. These include the same DC charging power and the “battery protection function” that newer models have, remote control of the charging process and departure times via the “myAudi” app, and integration with Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Drivers can also create personal user profiles and plan routes in the “myAudi” app to send to the in-car navigation system.
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Moreover, Audi has made improvements to the charging process. During preconditioning with the departure timer, the energy needed to heat the interior in winter is no longer drawn from the vehicle battery. Instead, if the car is connected to a wall box or public charging station, the energy from the external source is used for pre-heating. The new software also optimizes consumption using a revised thermal management system that conditions the battery considering the outside temperature and the state of charge.
Existing customers of vehicles with software version 3.1 or older will be informed individually by Audi dealers within this quarter about the update. However, the carmaker notes that an immediate update may not be possible to avoid waiting times. The software updates will be applied by region and in several waves.
