The Audi A8 has always been renowned for the extravagant amount of technology that the car holds, alongside with the Mercedes S class or the BMW 7 Series. Though Mercedes usually pioneers implementing the latest technology in their cars, Audi has taken a step forward by announcing that their upcoming version of the A8 will have a revised Multi Media Interface (MMI) featuring Google Earth as part of the car's navigation system.

In addition to the traditional hard-disk navigation system, an optional GPRS/EDGE modem is integrated into the MMI nav-plus system allowing a constant stream of information to be downloaded and accessed from Google. Users can now use both the car's GPS navigation system and plan out trips using Google Maps, or by using Audi's online portal where the data from the maps is analysed and relayed to the car's onboard computers. The new A8 will also feature automatic cruise control with "Start/Go" functionality and an eight speed gearbox.

Things get even better when you insert your SIM card into the MMI system, or dock your mobile phone through Bluetooth. Once connected, Google Earth can display a three-dimensional view your surroundings which appears on the 8" LCD panel with terrain modeling and satellite images. The integration of Google Earth into Audi's MMI system is scheduled to go live in the middle of 2010.

Hopefully we Singaporeans will be able to enjoy this 'first' by Audi as more and more cars here are getting integrated with factory fitted Satellite Navigation systems, but if you don't have an Audi A8, there's always your GPS enabled mobile phone..