Confused;

I have had a few Audi’s in the past and I am quite familiar with their options.

I have recently bought an 2016 A8 4.2 tdi and going through the car specification list, it mentions “Heated Windscreen”.

So - quick review of the options in the MMI, it does mention this Heated Windscreen option and is is set to Auto.

The handbook is pretty vague about it but it does mention to set the auto climate - on, the windscreen will then activate when the temp is <5C.

The 2015 brochure for the car has the Heated Windscreen as an option with the Double Glazed glass.

BUT - two of my local Audi Dealerships are adamant that there are NO Heated Windscreens fitted on any Audi’s as they do not have a patent.

YouTube does have a feature with a Heated Windscreen in action and it is quite remarkable according to the producer.   

Now I will be able to prove it, but not for quite a few months till winter arrives.

In the meantime has anybody else have this option and tried it?

Yes Audis may have heated windscreens, even in 2004. They don't have a patent for the old ford embedded element types so they use the condensed aluminium with laser cut lines to separate the elements.  The dealers are idiots.

Hi, yes, d4 platform got heated windscreen as an optional extra, I have this one on my S8, when temperature is below +5°C you press front windscreen button and instead blowing air it switch on heated windscreen, the orange light underneath is flashing (which means heated windscreen activated). First I didn’t knew about it and only notice that button started flashing, by time I found something to scram windscreen, jump out of car, and have seen when ice melted in front of me. 😁 lovin it now.

I believe the Ford patent has now expired hence why you're seeing heated screens on other manufacturers. The best way to tell is by wavy lines in the windscreen. 

Cheers

Steve