Audi is making continual advances in technology. As one of Germany's preeminent automakers, it has a reputation for excellence in every endeavor that must be continually built upon. To that end, Audi is coming up with loads of new ideas, including one that transforms the windshield into a cinematic screen. At the same time, its e-tron GT is proving that EVs can be fun while its electric SUV is becoming even better adapted for daily driving. But despite how busy the automaker is, it is still finding ways to revolutionize driving. One such way has just been uncovered by CarBuzz and points to putting virtual reality in the driving seat, literally.

According to documents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the automaker is looking at integrated virtual reality systems that could "be used in the future [...] for presenting different products, in particular in the sales process."

So before we all jump on our high horses, Audi is not looking to make virtual reality a part of the driving experience. Instead, the Ingolstadt-based automaker wants to provide a realistic idea of what a new car could be specced like. In this way, you can get a clear idea of what red leather would look like inside a black car. You could see what adding carbon fiber trim would look like instead of aluminum, and you could get an idea of how it would feel to operate the car in the real world.

Audi mentions that this would be especially beneficial in cases where a salesperson is required to present a new vehicle to the potential buyer at their home or their place of work. By implementing a mobile virtual reality system, the customer can get a feel for the car while sitting in it and could have all the options that the car is offered with right at their fingertips without ever visiting a dealer. Of course, virtual reality will never provide the same feel that you get from touching leather, fabrics, or other trim options in real life, but is a way to create a "particularly immersive and authentic sales experience." Overall, we think this is a good idea and have no doubt that it will become reality before long.