Audi Expects its Driverless RS7 to Hit 150 MPH

Audi RS7 Piloted Driving Concept (Credit: © Audi)

Driverless cars are obviously going to be the next big leap in automotive technology, and car manufacturers are as close as ever to making what was once a cool thought and something only seen in sci-fi movies a reality. Audi is one of a handful of automakers on the cutting edge of this technology, along with the likes of Cadillac and Tesla. In fact, Audi was the first automaker to receive a permit in the state of California to test its automated driving systems on public highways.

In less than a week’s time, Audi is set to show just how far it’s come in developing these systems, as it will have its drivrless RS7 lap the Hokenheimring just before the German Touring Car Championship finale on October 19th. This isn’t the first time Audi tackled a race course with a driverless car, as it did so a few years back when a driverless TT climbed the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb track.

Unlike the TT’s climb up Pikes Peak, this upcoming lap around the track will be at high speeds. That’s right, Audi plans to have the RS7 hit up to 149 mph while lapping the raceway and complete a lap in under two minutes. If Audi achieves this without putting the RS7 into a wall, then this will be just another bit of proof that driverless cars truly are on the horizon.

The attempt will be shown live on Audi MediaTV (https://audimedia.tv/en) on October 19th at 12:45 p.m. local German time (6:45 a.m. EDT). We’ll let you know how the test goes as soon as Audi reveals it.