Chapter 1
The spark of precision and how it all began
Chapter 2
The obsession with standards and millimeter perfection
Chapter 3
The ultimate proving grounds
Chapter 4
The modern transition: software meets steel
Ch 4 · The modern transition: software meets steel
audi The Electric Autobahn Test
Power from the wire, pantograph connects, roll on the Autobahn!
audi Today's luxury German cars use over 100 electronic control units running up to 100 million lines of software code
Quiz
Approximately how many lines of software code run inside a modern luxury German vehicle?
audi Secret software in millions of diesel engines bypassed environmental tests to hide pollution.
Quiz
In which year did the 'Dieselgate' emissions cheating scandal involving Volkswagen break?
Fun Fact
Code heavy: A modern premium car runs on more lines of software code than a fighter jet and a space shuttle combined.
Quiz
What manufacturing technique did Tesla introduce at its Berlin factory to replace dozens of individual welded parts?
Glossary
software-defined vehicle (noun)
A vehicle whose features and functions are primarily enabled and updated through software. In 2020, Volkswagen established its subsidiary CARIAD to develop a unified operating system for its brands.
A vehicle whose features and functions are primarily enabled and updated through software. In 2020, Volkswagen established its subsidiary CARIAD to develop a unified operating system for its brands.
Quiz
Why is high-speed driving on the Autobahn uniquely challenging for electric vehicle battery packs?
Quiz
What battery voltage standard did Porsche introduce to enable ultra-fast charging in its electric vehicles?