Audi to increase digital radio offering

* Audi to offer DAB as standard on most models * All models apart from TT and R8 * From April onwards...

Audi to increase digital radio offering

Audi will offer digital radios as standard across most of its range from the beginning of April

The Audi TT Coupe and the Audi R8 are the only two cars to miss out on the technology, but Audi says that both will get the DAB upgrade 'at a later date'.

Audi will also offer a range of adapters that will allow current owners to retro-fit DAB equipment to their car.

Digital radio is currently fitted to the A8 limousine, but this is the first time that it will be included as standard on other models.

Car makers have set a self-imposed target for offering DAB as standard or as an option by the end of 2013.

BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover and Mini all currently offer the technology as standard and the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen have committed to do so in the near future.

Digital coverage will be improved, too, with 14 new transmitters to be built by 2015. However, analogue transmissions will not cease before 2017 and possibly as late as 2020.

The Government has promised to support the analogue signal until 50% of radio listening is conducted through a DAB receiver the current figure is just 31%.

By Tom Webster