This video will go some way to explaining the Audi Quattro Concept’s use of lightweight materials on an eventual production version. As we said earlier today, the concept could get a limited production run as the Audi Quattro coupe, using CFRP and aluminium. For supercar and sports car manufacturers, lightweight design is the new trend in keeping performance up, but fuel consumption and emissions down.

There are some interesting safety aspects to do with using lighter weight materials that you can hear about in the video. It seems that with some materials absorbing energy more efficiently, lightweight structures don’t have to produce safety concerns. After some further talk about Audi’s research into composite materials, we get to see the cars using them.

There is an Audi R8 5.2 quattro prototype model which uses composite materials for the roof and floor. Those materials will go on the production model Audi R8 GT, which is 100 kg lighter thanks to the use of carbonfibre. There is also an Audi TTS coupe, weighing 1,390 kg in total (80 kg less than the current production model), and the Audi A5 we see in the video uses CFRP and aluminium to weigh just 1,400 kg. See them in video.

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The Audi Quattro Concept presented at the 2010 Paris Motor Show could get to production as a limited number of Audi Quattro coupe models. An engineering prototype based on the Audi S5 has already been built and the project to produce the Quattro models will be approved once the prototype is tested by board members.

The Audi Quattro coupe will use weight-saving materials such as carbonfibre-reinforced plastic body panels on Audi’s aluminium spaceframe chassis. The bonnet and boot are made from CFRP and overall the car should weigh about 300 kg less than the RS5, coming in at about a total of 1,300 kg. That is lighter again than the Audi R8.

At this stage the prototype looks like a standard S5 but fans will be hoping for a return of some that lovely retro design of the Quattro concept which stole the show in Paris last year. According to Autocar we could be looking at a 2013 market debut but no pricing or production numbers are ready for release.

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It seems like the production version of the Audi Quattro Concept can’t get here fast enough. It virtually became a dream car overnight after its presentation at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and Audi announced production soon after. In this video we see it alongside its spiritual ancestor, the original 1984 Audi Sport Quattro model. There’s not a lot of common ground between them in terms of design and technology - 30 years is a long time and the most they share from a stylistic point of view are the air intakes on the bonnet.

But it’s the Audi Quattro technology that reigns supreme. Forget the 208 hp difference between the two models, the Quattro Concept is about reviving what made one of the world’s greatest Audi’s - all wheel drive technology. Many Audi models still carry this technology, but the Concept brings it to the fore in a sleek model with a dash of retro looks. See them both take to the road in the video above.

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The Audi Quattro Concept which might be produced by Italdesign, won hearts at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and here we see a rendering of the Quattro Concept. Perhaps a bit guadier than we expected (frankly, we liked it in white), it shows what a production version of the retro, rally car might look like.

Audi has been conducting engineering feasability studies and says it already knows how to build the Quattro Concept. Any production model will most likely have the same technical platform as the concept car and be equipped with the 2.5 TFSI engine from the TT RS. The concept car had an added power step with a boost to 408 hp. That power on just 1,300 kg should provide some impressive performance, with acceleration to 100 km/hr said to be done in 3.9 seconds. We can’t wait to hear more from Audi on this.

Source | TheophilusChin

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With the rumours that Volkswagen wants to purchase Alfa Romeo so persistant, we would almost say it’s only a matter of time if we didn’t know the Italians as well as we do. The business case for an Alfa Romeo purchase makes a lot of sense, but what is harder to grasp in a world of hard money talk and deals to be done, is just why Volkswagen is so taken with Italian design.

The Italian love-affair seems to be further proved by reports that the Audi Quattro Concept, revealed at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, could become a production model under the care of Italdesign - Volkswagen’s recently acquired design and engineering firm from Milan.

The Audi Quattro Concept knocked the socks off more than one Audi fan at the show and we definitely won’t be opposing the idea that Italdesign could build the production model. In fact, we think they could probably produce something quite special. Not only has it got a funky mix of retro rally and modern class, it’s an engineer’s dream with Audi’s famous all-wheel drive technology, 408 hp and 480 Nm of torque and all weighing less than 1,300 kg.

Continue reading: The Audi Quattro concept, Italdesign and Volkswagen's Italian love affair

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The Audi Quattro Concept presented at the 2010 Paris Motor Show comes all the way from the original inspiration of Geneva 1980 and celebrates 30 years of all-wheel-drive for Audi. The concept car has a decidedly vintage, squared-off design based on the RS5 but equipped with the same five-cylinder engine as the TT-RS.

The Quattro Concept could evolve into a production model which would have some impressive technology if elements such as the Audi Space Frame and carbon fibre features (including bonnet, rear, spoiler and bumpers all in the lightweight material) were kept. The Quattro Concept weighs less than 1,300 kg and, powered by the 2.5 TSI engine, has a power-weight ratio of 3.18 kg/hp. That’s comparable to the Audi R8 V10 model and proves that hot Audi sports cars are very much in the company’s future.

Acceleration to 100 km/hr is achieved in 3.9 seconds while Audi has tried to keep the fuel consumption down to 8.5 l/100 km. The 480 Nm of torque are distributed across all four wheels with three differentials and a distrubtion of 40:60 with more in the rear. The Audi Quattro Concept also focuses on updated mechanics with a six-speed manual transmission and carbon ceramic disc brakes. The interior features Recaro racing seats and an MMI multimedia system.

Continue reading: Audi Quattro Concept details and pics

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