Can You See It Now? Audi Envisions A Long Distance Lounge In Your Future

Not any time soon. At least for us "soon-to-be millionaires"[1].

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[1] When the current administration was presented with the opinion that America is divided into "classes" -- the "haves" and "have nots" -- they rebuked that statement with their assertion that America is comprised of "millionaires and soon-to-be millionaires."

Actually - we have the makings of such a Long Distance system right now - it is called the AUTO-Train on the East Coast to Florida. Allowing people to travel and take their car - without actually driving. I would suspect that doing it this way is also more efficient use of resources as well.

I am not sure how this thread evolved to an emissions argument - but I would suggest - when the day of regular use of autonomous vehicles arrives - as I have said in the past - the day of the individual car - "driven" and "enjoyed" by a driver - will have been over for a while. At least 3 manufacturers already are testing cars that have the ability to be "limited" by outside systems - which would limit your speed - your vehicle spacing - your acceleration - speed in turns - and the like. So - the only way to differentiate cars would be in interior amenities - and outside color - since the all would be limited to the same performance on the roads. I would also suspect that a lot of roads would REQUIRE those systems - since mixing them with owner controlled cars would be problematical. And therefore performance driving would be limited to race tracks and outback dirt roads without signs. Cars would become like refrigerators- appliances - without real pleasure.

I will eventually expect that cars that are controlled through their GPS systems would come about - eliminating even the dirt roads as well. So - purchasing a new TVR today - would be a waste of money if you could actually buy one. However - since most of these high priced cars end up in the garages of collectors and rarely even see a road - they might become the "art" of the future.

Then the TDI clean diesel is vented to the passenger compartment killing the passengers. Rumor it is to be called the A(uschwitz)2.

It would be nice if MDarringer stayed away from all VAG related posts.

He does have a point, Audi/VW didn't care about people's health when they embarked upon their emissions-cheating campaign. Not sure when we should let them forget about it but I'm thinking it's still time for some reminders, just so that we can remind manufacturers like Audi/VW that it's not acceptable to put people's health at risk for profit or because they're incapable or too lazy to engineer better solutions.

You can still kiss VAG's ass. It's a free country.

I like to spotlight the inconsistencies in arguments.

If one chooses to vilify the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) because...

1) VAG designed diesel engines that passed lab-only emissions tests while emitting many times higher NOx levels while operating in the real world

2) NOx is a serious health hazard to humans and other air breathing mammals

3) This decision by VAG exhibits their callous disregard for human health by choosing profit over humanity

...then yeah, that's a legitimate claim! Sadly, it's all true.

But if one holds this position, are they also vilifying Mercedes, General Motors, Fiat/Chrysler, and others who have done the same thing, or are you giving them a free pass? All of these companies are currently in hot water for doing exactly that: Selling diesel vehicles that pass lab-only tests, but emit many times beyond lab-legal NOx levels (some higher than VW's) while operating in the real world.

On the other hand, if your real issue is that VW broke the law (and the others didn't), then please don't use poisonous gas emissions as your excuse. Hate VAG for breaking the law, and call it as such! Also, make your assertions that the other NOx offenders are fine, and they should be left alone because they didn't break any laws at the time. This will highlight one's true position on this matter.

^^^
My reference in the above post to "breaking the law" refers to VW's use of a "cheat device" as defined under law. As far as we know, the other NOx offenders achieved the same outcome -- "safe" NOx emissions in the lab, and well-beyond-lab-legal NOx levels outside of the lab -- without using "cheat device" as defined by law.

It would be nicer if MDarringer stayed away from all posts, period. His weird and bigoted Trumpian comments define his obtuse asshattery.

@pentupnrgy69 maybe you should go release your pent up "nrgy" like the teenage boy you seem to be, but we haven't had that spirit here since 1969.

so seat belts are optional? airbags? or is the assumption that the future roads will be perfectly paved by autonomous robots and perfectly safe by autonomous vehicles and never need those archaic safety nets.
also why not just teleport then? /sarcasm