Hands-free at nearly 150 mph in an Audi RS 7 Sportback

(October 12, 2014) HOCKENHEIM, Germany — A driverless Audi RS 7 Sportback will tackle Germany’s Hockenheim circuit at race speed this week to underscore the potential of piloted driving technology. With the latest Audi developments on board, the concept car will drive autonomously to its physical limits with millimeter precision as an exciting sideshow for the German Touring Car Championship finale on Oct. 19.

As its sophisticated sensors guide it around the challenging circuit, the RS 7 Sportback piloted driving concept car will be approximately as fast as with a professional racing driver at the wheel.

Tests conducted so far indicate that on the grand prix track a lap time of just over two minutes can be expected, and that the technology demonstrator should reach speeds of up to 149 mph.

The performance will be broadcast live and exclusively on the Internet on Oct. 19 starting at 12:45 p.m. (EDT) on Audi MediaTV.