Quattro/S2 Audi Quattro Concept

[footie]

Indeed, the technology is too expensive and sophisticated for a prospective A3 coupe, but the engine is a plausable powerplant for the next TT-RS. The use of Aluminum will inevitably trickle down the range -- the RS-models especially could benefit from weight loss. CF on the other hand qould require the industry to increase the production of the material to make it more economical to use in passanger cars. Unlike metal or aluminum it cannot be knocked back to shape, making it very expensive to replace. Fest your eyes on the price tag of this SLR CF bumper:

MERCEDES SLR722 SLR MCLAREN front carbon fiber bumper : eBay Motors (item 270596251075 end time Oct-18-10 01:30:54 PDT)

The engine's potential is quite huge in fact and I am quite sure that Audi will run this unit up to 470-480hp in production form without any worries of reliability. You are right that aluminum will become widely used in Audi models, their goal is the be lighter than the competition, a goal I am sure they will achieve. As for the use of CF, I believe this will become much cheaper to manufacture and in the next 10-15 years it will end up as cheap as alloy but their is still the issue of repair to be taken into consideration so I doubt it's use will trickle down to the masses and will remain the reserve of the more luxurious and expensive models.

 

[Centurion]

The engine's potential is quite huge in fact and I am quite sure that Audi will run this unit up to 470-480hp in production form without any worries of reliability. You are right that aluminum will become widely used in Audi models, their goal is the be lighter than the competition, a goal I am sure they will achieve. As for the use of CF, I believe this will become much cheaper to manufacture and in the next 10-15 years it will end up as cheap as alloy but their is still the issue of repair to be taken into consideration so I doubt it's use will trickle down to the masses and will remain the reserve of the more luxurious and expensive models.

Until CF is borderline cheap as plastic it will remain a novelty because the slightest knock by a heavy object, the material cracks and the panel effectivly become useless. It's like having a bag made out of glass.

Keeping weight low key to sustainability but more importantly the use of lighter material needs to result in clear performance or fuel economy advantages or else it's all just marketing mambo jumo i.e "Our car is the lightest in the class yada yada yada"

 

[Guibo]

The SLR represents the older generation of carbon. McLaren have already drastically reduced CF component pricing on the MP412C. I've read it only cost them now about 1/4 of what it cost during SLR development.
One other point is that presentation-grade CF (as it is in the SLR, CGT, Zonda, and much of the LFA) costs a lot more than the methods described in the post about Lamborghini, Boeing, Univserity of Washington, etc. If the components are designed primarily from the beginning to be hidden under paint, then it can be cheaper to produce.

About repairability, BMW and its CF-producing partner SGL are working on the "Project i" so that damaged portions can be fixed in a cost-effective manner. You can see an apparent side-impact damage in the last photo in PHYBENZ's:
http://www.germancarforum.com/new-b...olution-megacities-official-4.html#post470012
That sort of damage is going to be repairabile without having to junk the entire frame.
With regard to the Quattro Concept, it is mostly aluminum that makes up the structure. Only the hood, hatch, and some aero components are made from CF. As such, it shouldn't be extraordinarly expensive to produce. The capital required to produce the alloy space frame should be pretty signficant though.

 

[footie]

I did hear that if it does get the green light then the weight will be kept as close to the concept as possible as it's a very important goal for Audi to show they are intending to reduce all of their models.

 

[donkeykong]

Following last week's Autocar report; automotive manipulator, Theophilus Chin took the liberty of rendering what he believes a production version of the Audi quattro concept could look like. Although we can do without the two-tone paint job, Chin's rendering provides a more realistic take primarily on the car's front fascia, blending R8 and S/RS styling cues with the lines of Paris concept.

I dont care much for this ps's just thought I'd share it though.

 

[footie]

The sad truth is that when it makes it to production it's design will probably be watered down to the level that it will look like this.

 

[Iamnotme]

Out in the wild...

 

[footie]

It will make it to production but the problem is the number crunching that's needed to make it viable. I personally think a price of £70-80K would be about right for this car, it's not as exotic looking as the R8 to command the higher price but it's unique enough to be consider desireable to command a serious premium over the likes of the RS5. The question is whether they could sell enough at that price to justify the manufacturing and re-tooling.

If I were in the market for a 997 C2-4S and this was available then I would be thinking long and hard whether I really wanted the Porsche.

 

[Joest]

Apparently that car was spotted in Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway being escorted by the CHP to a photo shoot along with a red Ur Quattro. Evidently its minders let slip that it will get a limited production build.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

If I were in the market for a 997 C2-4S and this was available then I would be thinking long and hard whether I really wanted the Porsche.

Well, in terms of novelty, the Quattro (as a limited production series) would command a bonus over the rather commonplace 997. But otherwise, there is really nothing quite like a Porsche 911. Perhaps the best synergy of all one could want in a sportscar and "drive it every day" practicality.

Were I fortunate enough to be confronted with the task of having to make a choice between the two, there would be no contest. The 911 will always win my heart and ultimately my hard earned cash.

 

[footie]

Well, in terms of novelty, the Quattro (as a limited production series) would command a bonus over the rather commonplace 997. But otherwise, there is really nothing quite like a Porsche 911. Perhaps the best synergy of all one could want in a sportscar and "drive it every day" practicality.

Were I fortunate enough to be confronted with the task of having to make a choice between the two, there would be no contest. The 911 will always win my heart and ultimately my hard earned cash.

I come from a different mindset, I've owned Boxsters and driven all of them, Boxsters, Caymans and 997s back to back on and off the track and I much prefer the lesser models, so I would probably be leaning towards the Audi on this occasion.

Don't misunderstand here, the 997 is a real driver's car that on the right day is a real joy but I have always found it's handling a bit hit or miss from corner to corner, some might relish that challenge but I prefer the predictability of the Cayman/Boxster and how quattros generally feel.

 

[K-A]

That looks pretty sick!! I think they could tone down some of the crazy-angular elements going on in the front and back, to ensure it'll age more timelessly, but I'm impressed for the most part.

If they did that, and the car grew a bit (not a huge fan of Compacts, and don't fit so well in 'em at 6'4), I'd be all about it.

 

[Sunny]

This looks freaking awesome.

If they did that, and the car grew a bit (not a huge fan of Compacts, and don't fit so well in 'em at 6'4), I'd be all about it.

No just no, there are already enough big ass powerful cars - go get CLS or something, keep this one compact.

 

[SKY]

This is currently one of my favourites side profiles. What an amazing design this Concept is. I would love to see new Audis wearing design cues from this. And it would also be nice to see a german manufacturer to start giving production cars this kind of door handles, as they are the most elegant solution.

 

[K-A]

This looks freaking awesome.




No just no, there are already enough big ass powerful cars - go get CLS or something, keep this one compact.

But this thing with a more appropriate-for-me length would be SO much sicker than a CLS!! No whacky creases to turn me off to an otherwise great design here!

 

[Sunny]

But this thing with a more appropriate-for-me length would be SO much sicker than a CLS!! No whacky creases to turn me off to an otherwise great design here!

There is always RS5 or M3 or upcoming C63 coupe.

 

[footie]

Autoexpress Quattro Concept frist drive impressions

Audi Quattro Concept

We're first behind the wheel of Audi's Paris Motor Show star.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Jack Rix

November 2010


Audi is heading back to the future! Thirty years after the original quattro rewrote the rulebook, Audi has re-imagined its most iconic model for the modern age. But can the quattro concept, first shown at the Paris show last month, do justice to its illustrious ancestors? Auto Express was first to put this year’s most exciting new model to the test.

Gone is the boxy styling and long overhangs of the original quattro, replaced by a more elegant look that’s brutal and handsome at the same time. Taking its lead from the 302bhp 1984 Sport quattro (red car picture right), cues like the distinctive trapezoidal C-pillar, the horizontal slot in the bonnet and the restrained spoiler are all nods to the past.

In terms of its engineering though, the quattro concept has its sights fixed firmly on the future. Based on the RS5’s platform, shortened by 150mm and with a 40mm lower roofline, it uses an aluminium chassis and body panels, while the bonnet and rear hatch are made from carbon-fibre to minimise weight.

On the inside, the rear seats have been removed while Sparco racing seats up front weigh only 18kg each. In total, weight is kept down to just 1,300kg – identical to the original Sport quattro.

Drop into the driver’s seat and you sit low in a sporty position, while the beautifully machined manual gearstick falls easily to hand. With its minimalist floating dash and huge display behind the steering wheel, the interior is a step into the future of Audi design, and as with all Audis the soft leather and bespoke aluminium and carbon-fibre trim is superbly put together.

Push the red starter button and the engine splutters into life, sending vibrations and a booming noise reverberating through the cabin. Without the usual sound deadening on production models the cars feels raw and alive even before setting off. On our test drive we were limited to relatively low speeds, but the rasping exhaust note and chatter from the turbo’s wastegate when you lift off is dramatic even on part throttle.

Besides a few squeaks and rattles – understandable on a one-off priceless concept car - it actually feels remarkably ready for the road. The RS5 suspension is firm but not harsh, while the steering is light and accurate and the slick gearbox, borrowed from the S5, is a pleasure to use.

So it feels just a few steps away from the showroom, but the question on everyone’s lips is will it make it into production? Audi is staying tight-lipped, claiming the decision is yet to be made, but after talking to designers and engineers about the frenzy of excitement that this car has generated – it’s all but a certainty.

For the full story pick up your copy of Auto Express next Wednesday, December 1.
​

 

[Levi68]

That is an Audi I like. Footie, how is the engine placed? Like in TT or in A5?

 

[footie]

That is an Audi I like. Footie, how is the engine placed? Like in TT or in A5?

Well it's using a TorSen quattro system so what do you think?

 

[Iamnotme]

^This photo is made of pure epic win!


Oh, and btw, Autocar also test drove the Quattro Concept.

And EVO drove it too.