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Audi Virtual Cockpit vs Virtual Cockpit Plus: What’s the Difference?

Audi Virtual Cockpit vs Virtual Cockpit Plus: What’s the Difference?

Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus is not simply a larger version of Virtual Cockpit. On many Audi models, both use a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. The “Plus” name is more about added layouts, graphics and model-specific display functions than screen size alone.

Screen size is not the main difference

Audi currently lists a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus on models such as the A3, A6 allroad and SQ7. Earlier versions of the regular Audi Virtual Cockpit were also commonly 12.3 inches.

So a used-car listing that identifies Virtual Cockpit Plus only because the screen is supposedly 14 inches or larger should be treated with caution.

What Plus usually adds

The extra value is generally in the available display modes and graphics. Audi describes three display modes for Virtual Cockpit Plus in the SQ7, including an S performance view, while RS models can add their own performance-focused layouts.

The exact options vary by vehicle. An earlier Virtual Cockpit can still be highly configurable, so “Plus” is not a universal feature checklist that works across every Audi generation.

Feature Virtual Cockpit Virtual Cockpit Plus
Display type Digital instrument cluster Digital instrument cluster
Screen size Often 12.3 in on earlier systems 12.3 in on many current models
Layouts Depends on model and year Usually adds or expands selectable views
S/RS graphics Model dependent Often includes additional performance displays
Head-up display Separate equipment Separate equipment

Navigation and head-up display are separate questions

Virtual Cockpit Plus can show navigation when the vehicle has the required Audi navigation and connected services, but the Plus badge alone does not guarantee the same navigation functions on every car.

The head-up display is also separate equipment. A car can have Virtual Cockpit Plus without having a head-up display.

How to identify the system in a used Audi

Use the original build sheet, window sticker or model-year equipment specification. Screen size alone is not enough because Audi has used the same 12.3-inch dimension across different generations and naming levels.

Sources

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