Into the future with software – reimagining the car

Audi is shaping the digital era with software-defined vehicles

missing translation: fa.article-intro.reading-time – 06/10/2025

Line drawing of an AudiLine drawing of an Audi

Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) are the key to the mobility of tomorrow: they are designed to enable intelligent communication, automated driving, and continuous improvement – forming the basis for the digital car.

The term SDV does not refer to any specific model but rather describes a new development approach focused on digital capabilities. The software-defined vehicle doesn't replace the car we know today – it enhances and improves it. The new paradigm is all about advancing electric mobility, autonomous driving and a new driving experience. Audi plans to put its own SDV on the road in just a few years.

A red Audi drives up a ski jump

Innovation back then: in 1986, an Audi 100 with quattro all-wheel drive drove up a ski jumping ramp.

“Software and electronics are the main drivers of innovation today. That's why the SDV is of great strategic importance to Audi.

Geoffrey Bouquot, board member for Technical Development

Infographic of a car with the four functions of the software-defined vehicle

Building a software-defined vehicle: physical platform (powertrain, battery, suspension), electronics architecture (sensors, control units), software (operating systems, applications, OTA updates), and user-centric design combine for a holistic digital driving experience.

Building a software-defined vehicle: physical platform (powertrain, battery, suspension), electronics architecture (sensors, control units), software (operating systems, applications, OTA updates), and user-centric design combine for a holistic digital driving experience.

Intelligent and fully connected

Today, software is found in numerous automotive components. Take the windshield wipers, for example: sensors have long been able to detect the intensity of rain and adjust the wiper speed accordingly. In the future, when cars will be driving autonomously, this alone won’t be enough. They will also need to know, for example, whether there is enough washer fluid in the reservoir to keep the windshield clear all the way to the planned destination. That’s why a central computer network will control all functions and sensors. Such an on-board network spans the entire vehicle like a nervous system and makes sure all components work together perfectly.

New functionality to benefit customers

In future, the SDV architecture will be standardized and scalable across all models. This will enable it to be developed independently of individual model lines and product cycles. The advantage is that Audi vehicles will have the capability to be equipped with new functions throughout their entire life – easily and at low cost via over-the-air updates.

Collaboration accelerates software development

As it develops the first SDV generation, Audi is benefiting from the advantages of the Volkswagen Group, for example: the Group has formed a joint venture with American automaker Rivian. Together, the companies will develop a common electrical and electronic architecture, or E/E architecture for short. And the joint venture will accelerate software development and thereby drive innovation within the wider Group.

Modern Audi cockpit with wide touch display shows menu with apps, navigation, media and vehicle settings

Innovation today: most of it is found in software.

A new era of mobility has begun

The shift in focus from conventional hardware-centric design to software-driven architecture marks a new era in automotive development, comparable to the transition from simple mobile phones to sophisticated smartphones. Similar to how smartphones can be continuously improved and upgraded with new features through software updates, SDV technology enables future vehicles to be updated and augmented throughout their entire lifecycle. SDVs represent the next evolutionary step in the automotive industry, transforming not only how vehicles operate, but also laying the foundation for future advances in areas such as autonomous driving and advanced vehicle connectivity.

Melanie Limmer shows a colleague something on a device

Developing Vehicles That Understand Us

Melanie Limmer is the project manager for a future electric vehicle model at Audi. In this interview, she provides insights into the development approach of the “Software-Defined Vehicle.” Software and electronics architecture take center stage and significantly shape the character of the vehicle—a paradigm shift that needs to be embraced.

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