The technology links to Audi’s “in-car internet” and establishes a link between the car and the traffic light network via the central traffic computer in each town or city.

Providing information on the automated traffic light change sequences, the technology shows the driver the speed to select in order to pass through the light during a green phase.

If the driver is already waiting at a red light, the system will calculate and count down the time remaining until the next green light is scheduled to appear via a timer.

The system also interacts with the car’s Start-Stop function to ensure the engine is switched on five seconds before the ‘green phase’.

According to Audi, the new technology has the potential to save time and fuel by alerting drivers to the speed required to reach the next green light.

In addition, Audi’s parent company Volkswagen today launched the fully electric Volkswagen e-Golf, which the company says is a “purely electric drivetrain with no tailpipe emissions”.

The e-Golf can be charged from a household three-pin socket and comes with a standard UK 230-Volt, 2.3 kW supply, which recharges the battery in 13 hours.

Leigh Stringer

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