Contents:

1. Executive summary 1.1 Conclusion 1.2 Overview of key points 2. Introduction 3. Performance evaluation summary 3.1 Smart entry performance 3.2 Smart start performance 3.3 Thatcham smart entry / smart start criteria issue 3 3.4 Summary of UK insurance prediction 4. Smart entry operation 4.1 Overview 4.2 Smart entry 4.3 Keyless entry 4.4 Emergency operation 4.5 CDL switch 4.6 Other locking features 4.7 Observations and anomalies for the lock and unlock operation 5. Smart start operation 5.1 Overview 5.2 Smart start 5.3 Accessory and ignition positions 5.4 Ignition port start 5.5 Accessory and ignition positions 5.6 Emergency start 5.7 Electric Steering Column Lock (ESCL) 5.8 Drive away without remote control 6. Performance against Thatcham criteria 6.1 External smart entry operating range - requirement 6.2 External smart entry operating range - results 6.3 Immobiliser un-setting - requirement 6.4 Immobiliser un-setting test - results 7. Smart key system functionality 7.1 MMI Functionality 7.2 Lock system functionality 7.3 Unlocking system functionality 7.4 Engine starting functionality LIST OF FIGURES Fig. 1 Summary of performance Fig. 2 Overview of key points Fig. 3 Text Vehicle Fig. 4 Performance prediction against new Thatcham criteria Fig. 5 Location of smart entry system components Fig. 6 Remote control functions Fig. 7 Mechanical unlocking and locking Fig. 8 Emergency plastic wallet key Fig. 9 Locking the doors manually Fig. 10 CDL switch and LED Fig. 11 Locking functionality Fig. 12 Location of smart start system components Fig. 13 Reminder alerts user to press clutch pedal (after 10s) Fig. 14 Cycle of ignition positions Fig. 15 Ignition port start Fig. 16 Reminder alerts user to press clutch pedal (after 10s) Fig. 17 Cycle of ignition positions Fig. 18 “Key not in vehicle” warning message Fig. 19 Thatcham maximum allowed exterior range Fig. 20 External smart entry operating range result Fig. 21 Thatcham guideline on exterior leakage Fig. 22 Rear glass to bumper dimension Fig. 23 Exterior leakage - RH side door measurement Fig. 24 Exterior leakage - LH door measurement Fig. 25 Exterior leakage - Trunk lid measurement Fig. 26 Interior smart operating range Fig. 27 Explanation of flowchart colour scheme Fig. 28 MMI - Unlocking single door ON Fig. 29 MMI- Auto locking ON Fig. 30 MMI - Locking boot lid/tailgate ON Fig. 31 Lock - Smart entry Fig. 32 Lock - Keyless entry Fig. 33 Lock - Mechanical key Fig. 34 Unlock (from double locked) - Smart entry Fig. 35 Unlock (from double locked) - Keyless entry Fig. 36 Unlock (from double locked) - Mechanical key Fig. 37 Unlock (from single locked) - Smart Entry Fig. 38 Unlock (from single locked) - Keyless entry Fig. 39 Unlock (from single locked) - Mechanical key Fig. 40 Smart engine starting operation Fig. 41 Ignition port start engine operation Fig. 42 Emergency start engine operation Fig. 43 Engine OFF and steering lock engagement

Summary:

Audi A4 / Marquardt Smart Key Evaluation - Ask an Expert Report author and SBD specialist on Smart Key technology and development, David Green, talks about the latest Smart Key system evaluation. Q: Compared with systems from a few years ago, how have Smart Key systems developed in Europe, and where does this particular system rate? David Green: The balance is changing, two or three years ago the market was striving for better system performance, there were still issues to be resolved with functionality and manufacturers still saw the technology as a luxury item. Now, we are seeing manufacturers building consistently good systems, security issues are fewer and the focus has moved on to reducing the cost of these systems whilst maintaining a consistently good level of performance. Q: With more and more manufacturers now offering Smart Key systems, what makes this system different to the others? DG: This is a premium brand vehicle. Many of the systems we are seeing currently are targeting smaller segment vehicles, which places cost restrictions on what can be developed. Although the Audi is a premium brand nevertheless, it is systems like these that should push the overall development of Smart Keys. Most importantly, this is a unique solution to antenna arrangement and coverage. The keyfob's direction relative to the vehicle can be determined, as can the distance from the vehicle, resulting in very well-defined ranges, minimum leakage and maximum coverage. Q: Whilst luxury car sales continue to be hit hard by the recession, how important could a good Smart Key system be to a vehicle/manufacturer like the Audi A4? DG: It is very important. The Audi is a premium vehicle and the consumer expects luxury features to compliment that and to make the brand stand out from its competition. It creates a de facto standard for vehicles in that class and also sets the aspirational standards for other OEMs. Smart Keys have been on premium models for a number of years now and a lot of customers will have had contact with the systems. Also, we know from our surveys that once a customer has owned a vehicle with Smart Key, they place very high value on having another Smart Key on their next vehicle. Could that be a defining factor in the decision to buy a vehicle or to look at a competitor? A poorly designed system could certainly make that choice. Q: What are the key challenges faced by manufacturers when designing a Smart Key system for the market today, and how have Audi/Marquardt approached them? DG: As mentioned, the focus has moved and the critical issue is more cost based than before. If manufacturers want to create competitive advantage by bringing Smart Key to more customers, they need to do so at a lower price and make it more widely available. At the same time, development of new features needs to continue otherwise Smart Key would no longer be that "high-technology" option. What Audi and Marquardt have achieved is to keep the good functionality they achieved on previous systems through development of the hardware. The result is a more defined and higher-technology solution but with less cost and less space requirement per system. Q: Two years ago Audi had the only Marquardt supplied system available in Europe, how significant is it that they have continued to develop their systems together? DG: Marquardt are active in the market and we have seen a number of manufacturers switch to them for some of the reasons given above. A good example of this is the new Mercedes C Class which we also tested recently. From evidence of these new tie-ups we can see that Marquardt have a good basic system to offer and a sound approach to the market. However, development is the key word. Audi and Marquardt haven't started from scratch and have been able to build a potentially market-leading system by developing what they already had. Going forward, the new technology, such as location function, could easily provide the key for future systems with the next generation of features, such as walk-up unlocking, more secure unlock/locking procedures and even bi-directional keyfob links.

Author

About the Authors David Green – Security and Cost of Ownership Technical Analyst David Green graduated from Cardiff University with an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked on a number of projects focused on vehicle security and cost of ownership and specialises in Smart Key technology. David is an expert in vehicle benchmarking and has contributed to a number of publications on Smart Key development. Michael Ball – Security and Cost of Ownership Technical Analyst Michael Ball is a Technical Analyst with SBD. He has contributed to a number of keynote studies on Smart Key systems and focuses on helping clients improve their Cost of Ownership through improved Vehicle Security.