Audi promises first production piloted driving with ‘Traffic Jam Pilot’ in next-gen A8

By Nick Jaynes Published March 4, 2015

Earlier this year, we reported that Audi will include a piloted driving program in its next-gen A8. Likely to be unveiled later this year or early next, it should look much like the Piloted Driving Prologue Concept. The production piloted driving system system will be based upon the self-driving A7, “Jack,” that made an autonomous trip from Palo Alto to Las Vegas.

Though we knew the system was coming, we didn’t know how extensive it would be or what it would be called. During a round-table discussion at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show this week, though, those details were revealed.

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Ricky Hudi, chief engineer for electronics development for Audi, told Digital Trends the A8’s self-driving system will be called “Traffic Jam Pilot” and will be operational on the highway up to speeds of 60 to 80 km/h – around 37 to 50 mph.

While not wholly revolutionary, the system will be the first step toward comprehensive piloted driving systems, not to mention making traffic-heavy daily commutes much less stressful.

audi-a7-autonomous-hands-free-driving-1500x1000 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re wondering what such a system might behave like, we needn’t look further than my ride along with the autonomous A7 from CES 2014 for example.

Related: Audi’s self-driving A7 prototype completes its journey to CES

The piloted Audi A8 will use externally mounted 3D cameras, radar, and infrared sensors to watch the road and traffic ahead. Inside, it will rely on the feed of two cameras watching the driver’s eyes. Should the driver begin to fall asleep, look away from the road, or should the car need to return control to the driver for any reason, it will chime in an attempt to bring driver attention back to the road. If the chimes do not work, and the driver doesn’t respond, the Audi will bring itself to a swift stop in the lane.

So, rest assured that Audi A8 drivers won’t be napping on the commute – or texting, either. With the Traffic Jam Pilot system, drivers will need to watch the road and traffic jam ahead. They just won’t have to steer, brake, or accelerate through the stop-and-go, bumper-to-jumper traffic.

We’ll be staying on top of the coming wave piloted driving technology. So be sure to check back often for more updates.

Former Automotive Editor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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Electric Muscle Misfire? Dodge Pulls Charger Daytona R/T from 2026 Lineup

electric muscle misfire dodge pulls charger daytona r t from 2026 lineup all new

The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, once hailed as the vanguard of Dodge’s electric muscle car future, is being dropped for the 2026 model year.
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Originally introduced with bold ambitions, the Charger Daytona R/T was designed to offer an accessible gateway into electric performance. With its 456-horsepower dual-motor setup and optional 509-horsepower Direct Connection stage kit, it seemed poised to excite both muscle car fans and EV newcomers. However, market realities have painted a different picture.
Industry and media reports highlight the core issue: buyers just weren’t biting. Despite its impressive specs and nostalgic design cues, the R/T struggled to justify its price tag, starting near $60,000. At that level, buyers expected either more performance or more premium features. Without strong sales traction, Dodge made the tough call to shelve the R/T variant for 2026, opting instead to focus on trims that resonate better with customers.
As we reported in December, the Charger EV was launched with an off-beat marketing message to “save the planet from self-driving sleep pods.” The goal was to retain Dodge’s brand identity—muscle, aggression, and driver engagement—even in the electric era. The Charger Daytona R/T was supposed to be the perfect balance of price and performance, but it seems the target audience wasn’t ready to make that leap at that price.
Importantly, this doesn’t spell the end of the Charger Daytona altogether. Higher-performance models like the Scat Pack and Banshee are still in the pipeline and, interestingly, are being adjusted for price competitiveness. Several trims are reportedly seeing price cuts, suggesting Stellantis is serious about making these vehicles more appealing and accessible.
For enthusiasts, the takeaway is clear: the electric muscle car isn’t going anywhere, but automakers are still figuring out how to sell it. The demise of the R/T is less a failure and more a recalibration—proof that even the boldest plans need to stay flexible in the face of consumer demand.

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