Audi Roadjet Concept

Tags: Audi Audi Roadjet Concept Technologies & Safety autoshow Detroit Auto Show NAIAS 2006 2006 North American International Auto Show concept cars

Bang & Olufsen is taking another step into the automotive sector at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The sound system in the new concept car Audi Roadjet Concept is specially developed by Bang & Olufsen.

The concept car is yet another example of the cooperation between Audi and Bang & Olufsen, which started with the Advanced Sound System for the A8. Starting from the technology platform used in the A8, Bang & Olufsen developed a design for the concept car.

Acoustic lenses

The new system has been specially adapted to the conditions inside the car, providing a unique musical experience while driving. This experience is achieved by the use of a powerful digital signal processor, discrete amplification for each loudspeaker and acoustic lenses.

Acoustic Lens Technology* is licensed exclusively to Bang & Olufsen. It provides a wide horizontal sound dispersion of high frequencies in the car’s interior. The acoustic lenses automatically rise out of the dashboard when the sound system is engaged, ensuring an extremely detailed acoustic stage from any seat in the car. The Advanced Sound system also employs Bang & Olufsen’s patented digital amplifier technology, ICEpower, which supplies the 14 loudspeaker units with an unprecedented 1,000 watts of power.

Matches the leather seats

Each of the loudspeaker grills is made out of one piece of aluminium, it has been manually polished, laser engraved and coloured to match the leather seats in the concept car. They have been designed by Bang & Olufsen’s Chief Designer, David Lewis.

Though the concept car has a 300 hp engine and a 7-speed gearbox it is not as big as the A8. That shows Bang & Olufsen’s sound is not necessarily reserved for cars in the absolute luxury class segment.

“Since the concept car is smaller than the A8 it shows that we can scale the technology platform. In addition, Bang & Olufsen has been involved in making other parts for the new concept car. The anodizing of the callipers, for instance, shows Bang & Olufsen’s competences on aluminium,” says Senior Program Manager Bjarne Sørensen.

North American debut

The auto show marks the North American debut for the Advanced Sound System for the A8. The first of the A8’s with exceptional Bang & Olufsen sound left the production line in the German city Neckarsulm a couple of weeks ago. Some of them have already found their way to Audi dealers and customers around Europe and the Middle East.

*Acoustic Lens Technology is licensed from Sausalito Audio Works LLC.

About Bang & Olufsen

Bang & Olufsen a/s was established in 1925 in Struer, Denmark, and is renowned worldwide for a distinctive range of quality electronic products that express our vision: Having the courage to transcend boundaries to create experiences that surprise and captivate. The Bang & Olufsen Group produces a unique selection of TVs, music systems, loudspeakers and telephones as well as medical and multimedia products. Bang & Olufsen employs a staff of more than 2,400 and the company's products are sold in more than 60 countries all over the world.