Quattro/S2 Audi unveils the legendary Quattro's successor at the 2013 IAA

[Tumbo]

Not too "off subject":

In the current issue of Autobild, there is a rather scathing editorial by Stefan Voswinkel on page 37 regarding Audis' recent lack of vision. He surmises that Audi is on the verge of losing its' mojo. Lacking inventiveness, fresh ideas and compelling concepts. He concludes his article with the quote: "Audi, quo vadis ?".

I regret to make the admission that I quite agree.

I have to agree a little bit. That's why I said in one of my recent posts, that I am worried about Audis future. The latest concepts of them, have been very weird, and didn't blow my socks of like the classic Nuvolari, Le Mans, RSQ3, Q5 concepts some years ago.

 

[Poverty]

It is said to be in the low $100k range. Considering it is based on an A5 using an existing 4.0T motor, it makes sense all things considered.

Figure a GT-R competitor...

all the reports ive read suggest a price above that of the r8? Suppose time will tell

 

[C4L]

all the reports ive read suggest a price above that of the r8? Suppose time will tell

That was the case for the ORIGINAL concept that had a carbon fiber monocoque platform and used the 2.5T. Rumored to be priced around $250k. This NEW conecpt, based on the A5 platform using a hybrid 4.0T V8, would be in the low $100k range.

 

[Poverty]

but hybrid tech is meant to be pricey? Shame this car looks so ugly

 

[donkeykong]

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[Tumbo]

I still hate those headlights with my guts

 

[AudiQuattro]

Headlights don't work! Grill don't work!
Like the C pilar and rear end

 

[7saen]

Yeah.. More power and importance to Facebook. World domination is near..
100.000 Likes! Who the Funk cares about a freaking click??

 

[JHF]

It’s been over a month since Audi pulled the wraps off of its Sport quattro Concept at the Frankfurt IAA. That the low-slung coupe, with a hybridized RS 6/RS 7 4.0 TFSI drivetrain and reportedly based on the upcoming MLB-evo architecture, created quite a buzz is no question. Given all of this plus a pile of new intel & content piling up on our virtual desktop, we decided to revisit the car.
First and foremost, we caught up with Audi’s new board member in charge of R&D, Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg shortly after the car was revealed in Frankfurt. Some of the discussion centered around the Sport quattro Concept and we’ve transcribed that here and have pieced it together to specifically include discussion as it pertained to the Sport quattro Concept.

Q: You showed a concept today. Often with Audi your concepts are close to future production cars. How close to production or feasible is the Sport quattro?
Hackenberg: This (Sport quattro) concept has the task to be a trailer for the next generation of the longitudinal matrix system (MLB), which is going in the next generation. For me it offered the possibility to demonstrate the peak technology position of this new platform. It is a platform that we will see in the B9, in the C8 and the next A8.
For this new generation of platform it is very important to have low weight and to have the possibility to bring all of the drivetrains that are important for the future, so the conventional quattro next generation, for electrification so e-mobility. That is the reason we went for a combination between quattro… but a permanent quattro and not an e-quattro… a combination of the gearbox that includes a big electric motor, in this case 110-120 kW and the battery that makes it able to go more than 50 km. With this 50 km we are able to have a low consumption in the cycle.

Q: So this is more of an exercise of what can be done?
Hackenberg: On one hand it is an exercise. On the other hand it is also a possibility for the designers to improve the design language and to think on some next-generation cars that are under development.
Let me say, it is a tool for all of the technologies and also for all of the design – interior, exterior, the light systems… everything. It is always easier to do that with a car than to make some training with some parts or whatever.
I think the concept is very close to produceability, but we have to see how it will be accepted and what the reactions are here. Up until now it has been very positive.
It is quite new. You know that I am with Audi now for two months. The idea for such a car was there but it was not there with the technology, so I switched the technology. That is the reason why now we take it as a peak technology (exercise) for the longitudinal platform.
It was great to present such a car after such a short time. I thank the team for realizing these ideas with only five weeks, which is fantastic.
Q: To be clear, you said this (Sport quattro Concept) was conceived in five weeks?
Hackenberg: The model work was done in a very short time, and the idea was different. We switched the idea.

Intel/Rumor: Georg Kacher Drives the Sport quattro for CAR Magazine
While taking part in the Land of quattro Alpen Tour rally, automotive journalist Georg Kacher landed an exclusive drive in the Sport quattro Concept. The story, one that ran in this month’s November issue of CAR Magazine available in newsstands or for your iPad via iTunes, and likely will eventually run on the magazine’s website. It includes a full driving report. We highly recommend picking up the issue and reading it when you get the chance, but in the meantime we wanted to summarize some of the juiciest intel details that almost always find their way into a Kacher story.
Here’s a rundown of intel according to Herr Kacher point-by-point.

• Audi fully intends to build a production version of the Sport quattro Concept.
• The car is much closer to production than public relations would have one believe.
• Production is set to begin in late 2016 should the car get the final sign-off.
• Rumors suggest production numbers totally 2000-3000 units, which would be much higher than the targeted 250(ish) number thrown around when the first quattro Concept was considered.
• The new Sport quattro is uses the internal codename ‘F13’.
• The hybrid portion of the drivetrain wasn’t operating when Kacher tested the concept car.
• The concept is based on a shortened RS 7 platform, though the production version will be based on the new C8 architecture currently under development.
• C8 will go into more mass production for the next A6 and A7 in 2017.
• Noted specifically as rumor, the 4.0 TFSI set to power the car is said to jump to 580 bhp.
• A stronger e-motor and super capacitor technology are also being considered for the production version. These would raise both power figures and also initial torque.
• “Audi intends to market this car as a ‘brand-shaping performance hybrid’ which focuses on maximum forward thrust, optimum cornering speeds and further improved braking thanks to staggered multi-stage recuperation”
• Concept car’s single piece carbon fiber tail will be exchanged for a tailgate with an integrated and motorized spoiler that extends much as those found on cars like the RS 7 and RS 5.
• Much like the A6/A7 with which it will share most, the car will make use of a high-strength steel structure and the doors, hood and trunk will be made of aluminum. The roof will be made of carbon fiber in order to further save weight and lower the car’s center of gravity.
• There have been four different quattro concepts built since 2010 during the tenure of three different R&D bosses at Audi.
• If it gets approval, the car will likely be built at quattro GmbH’s Boellinger Hoefe facility that currently produces the DTM racecars and the R8 LMS.
• The car may only be built in left hand drive.
• Main markets being considered for the car are North America, China and Germany.
• 1500-2000 Sport quattro Roadsters are also being considered.
• A GT version is also being considered with 300 bhp electric motor.

http://fourtitude.com/news/audi-rumors-renders-spy-photos/intel-qa-video-audi-sport-quattro-concept/

 

[JHF]

Audi Quattro and Audi Nanuk set to reach production


New Audi UK boss says image-enhancing top-end vehicles will help to grow brand

Audi will launch a series of top-end image-building cars based on recent concepts, such as a new Audi Quattro and off-beat Audi Nanuk supercar, in order to stretch its brand appeal and strengthen Audi's image as a maker of ultra-desirable cars, , according to André Konsbruck, the director of Audi UK.

Although neither concept vehicle has been confirmed for production, Konsbruck said that they both had production viability, and were undergoing customer testing and internal evaluation to see if there is a business case for them to be made.

“Every concept we show has production possibilities, and these cars are no different,” said Konsbruck. “I can see a future where we aim to deliver different, innovative premium cars that people aspire to own, such as these. They will be niche, and they will push our price ceiling, but they deliver on the brand image and build the desirability of the brand as a whole.

“However popular they are, we cannot just build Audi A3s, that’s clear. Audi has always done special projects to drive its premium image, and cars like the Quattro and Nanuk could achieve that.”


http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/audi-quattro-and-audi-nanuk-set-reach-production