Supercar to Debut Audi’s Digital Rearview Mirror

Volkswagen AG's Audi unit will introduce a digital inside rearview mirror in its R8 e-tron electric supercar, which goes on sale at the end of this year.

The camera-based system is required in the R8 e-tron, which has no rear window. Images are captured by a rear-pointing camera and displayed on a 7.7-inch screen mounted in place of a conventional rearview mirror.

The active-matrix organic LED display, which will be supplied by Samsung Display Co., is a technology common to mobile phones. The system, which Audi says is thinner, lighter and more energy efficient than conventional LED displays, is making its automotive debut in the R8 e-tron.

Audi used the same system in its R18 race cars that finished 1-2-3 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in June. The R8 e-tron will be powered by two electric motors that deliver 375 hp and 605 lb-ft of torque and can propel the car from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds.