(January 8, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The 2011 Audi A8 is the winner of the second annual Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award.

The Car Technology Breakthrough Award is presented to vehicles that set the standard for intuitive, practical and affordable technology that enhances safety and convenience for drivers and passengers. Any new vehicle available for sale in the U.S. within the last year is eligible.

Doug Newcomb, Senior Editor, Technology, for Edmunds.com commented, "The 2011 Audi A8 debuted with two groundbreaking in-car technologies: the use of Google Earth to provide navigation-system mapping, and Audi's MMI Touch, a touchpad interface that allows drivers to trace characters using a finger to enter destination information into the navigation system or to find contacts in a connected Bluetooth phone." The A8 also features a voice recognition system that can be used instead of the digital inputs.

The all-new Audi A8 also includes technologies such as a Bang & Olufsen audio system, a rear-seat video system with twin 10.2-inch monitors, night vision with pedestrian detection, and a navigation system that scouts a route and then adjusts the car's adaptive cruise control and headlights accordingly, Newcomb added.

The A8 is also the first car with a rear-collision warning system.

Edmunds.com’s review of the car noted, “… if the new A8 has a distinct advantage over the 7 Series and S-Class — or any competitor — it's the sedan's over-the-top technology. And that it won't drive a driver over the edge while using it.”

Find out more about the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award.