Audi now gives customers the opportunity to ‘tick’ options on their car afterwards. With Functions on Demand it is possible to activate the options ‘over the air’ for a term of one month, six months or a year. The available range of options is gradually being expanded.
The options available through Functions on Demand are divided into three main categories: lighting technology, assistance systems and infotainment. In terms of lighting technology, the choice currently consists of high beam assistant and the Matrix LED package. Parking assistant is available for assistance systems, according to Audi, traffic sign recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control will follow shortly. In the field of infotainment, the smartphone interface, MMI navigation plus, digital radio and virtual cockpit can be ordered ‘over the air’. Audi says it will gradually expand the range of options within Functions on Demand. The cheapest option is the high beam assistant, which costs € 2.50 per month. MMI Navigation Plus is currently the most expensive choice at € 55 per month.
Functions on Demand have options for one month, six months or one year. The longer the term, the lower the monthly amount. The ‘myAudi’ app shows which options are available based on the chassis number of the car in question. After payment, the car downloads the desired option via an internet connection. Functions on Demand is available for the A4, A5 and e-tron from model year 2020. The A6, A7, Q5, Q7 and Q8 are eligible from model year 2021. The A1 and A3 are still not covered in this respect, but the A8 is also absent.
Volkswagen uses a similar approach to Audi in the ID models. The Volkswagen Group is not the first car manufacturer to offer options in this way: Tesla once started offering options via the interface of the car afterwards.