Car and Driver has done a very nice comparison test incl. video of the Audi quattro concept and the Audi Ur-quattro. A must see!
These days, Audi is a lit skyrocket. The Volkswagen Group has poured cash and technical resources into its upscale brand during the past decade with the intention of moving it in line with BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the hearts of its primarily German, American, and Chinese customers. Having recently delighted in the new A8 and in selecting the aging A6 over its competitors in a comparison test [August 2010], we’d say the Ingolstadt boys are succeeding.
The plainly named Quattro Concept began as sketches two years ago but was built in just four months, says the man described as its father, Wolfgang Egger, head of Audi Group Design. Egger bristles at the suggestion that the Concept is retro, saying the idea was to “look back but also look forward” by cribbing certain unmistakable cues from the original Quattro Coupe (1980–1991), such as the chopped tail and triangular C-pillars, but experiment with a new face and more sophisticated surfaces. The guiding principles of the design, according to Audi, were that it be a compact two-seater with a curb weight less than 3000 pounds, use a downsized but high-output engine consistent with current powertrain trends, and, of course, feature Quattro technology.
As with many auto-show stage queens, the one-off Quattro Concept rides on a donor production chassis, namely that of an A5-based RS5 supercoupe. Audi Quattro GmbH, the Neckarsulm-based Audi skunkworks responsible for engineering the high-performance RS models as well as the mid-engine R8, worked on the Concept’s dirty parts.
Above you can see a a video of the new Audi Quattro cruising on what looks like the Pacific Coast Highway in California (as it was spotted in that area just last week), and meeting up with the classic 1984 Audi Sport Quattro.
At the Paris motor show, two months ago, the Quattro concept was debuted by Audi and features a 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI engine with 402 bhp. The Quattro coupe moves from 0-100 km/h in an easy 3.9 seconds.
The Audi Quattro will likely make it to production by 2012 or so, but limited to a small number of units per year.
Audi has revealed the quattro concept at the Paris Motor Show - a concept, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of quattro, is based on the RS5.
Unlike traditional Audis, the quattro concept has a surprisingly plain interior. When looking a little closer one will notice a digital instrument cluster and an innovative multimedia system which can stream internet radio from your cellphone.
Power comes from a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with 402 bhp. It enables concept to accelerate from to 100 km/h in only 3.9 seconds!
-> For more info, please find the Press Release after the break…
Jaguar unveiled the XJ75 Platinum Concept as a way to celebrate their 75th anniversary.
The anniversary model is based on the XJL Supercharged and features Satin Matte Pearlescent White paint, black accents, an aerodynamic body kit, and 22-inch alloy wheels.
According to the XJ’s Chief Designer, Giles Taylor, “From a pure design perspective, the XJ75 Platinum Concept is foremost about emphasizing the striking proportion and presence of the new XJ, with a distilled black and white theme, which conjures up the sense of precious platinum.”
The press release after the break gives further info on this special car.
A French blog dedicated to Italian cars, Unica-Strada.com, has obtained a photo that may show the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione GTA. If released, the rumored car could be sold as a limited edition version of the already very exlusive sports car, with stepped-up performance and aerodynamic modifications.
The 8C GTA is expected to get a 4.7-liter V8 engine that delivers 500 hp. Furthermore, the car could see a 150 kgweight reduction, as well as a new exhaust system. These changes could let the 8C GTA sprint from 0 to 60mph in under four seconds, and clear a top speed near 200 mph (322 km/h).
The 8C GTA is expected to be limited to just 100 units, all priced from €232,500.
Last week Bugatti revealed the conceptual four-door super sedan 16 C Galibier at a private event to a select group of customers, who Bugatti refers to as “opinion-makers.” The event took place at the firm’s home in Molsheim. The 16 C Galibier could very well go into production in the next couple of years. According to Bugatti’s current president, Dr. Ing. Franz-Josef Paefgen, the Galibier is one of several concept studies with which the company is considering for the future of Bugatti.
Surprisingly for a supercar marque where automotive designers usually try their hardest to create products that stand out of the crowd with distinctively repulsive styling traits, the Galibier 16 C features an almost boringly straightforward design - both exterior and interior - without any unnecessary gimmicks - well, forget about the eight tail pipes at the rear…
Echoing the styling of the famous Type 57 Atlantique, the Galibier 16 C combines a liftback bodystyle with the typical Bugatti radiator grille, large round LED headlights and the distinctive clamshell running the length of the vehicle.
Underneath the bonnet you’ll find a 16-cylinder, 8-litre, flex-fuel engine with supercharging. The Galibier 16 C also comes equipped with a four-wheel drive system.
Excited by the new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car? So are we. But while the rest of us have to wait another couple of weeks to see the future-think show car at the Bavarian automaker’s show stand in Frankfurt, one lucky enthusiast got an early glimpse while visiting the company’s flagship BMW Welt in Munich.
By the looks of it, he got a good view of the car, as Car and Driver’s photo gallery of the car contains pictures from every possible angle. Follow the link to see all pictures.
Audi fans will need to have some patience, because the Audi RS5 will only arrive in the showrooms in 2010. Until then Audi will keep testing the new supercar. Above you see a recent spy video of the Audi RS5 testing on the Nurburgring Ring.
At this early moment in time, Audi has not yet revealed specifications for the new model. However, we already know that the RS5 will be powered by the 4.2 litre V8 engine generating 450 bhp. This should allow for a 0-100 km/h acceleration of around 5 seconds and a (limited) top speed of 250 km/h.
The press previews for Detroit’s 2009 North American International Auto Show are over, so here is a quick video to recap the show’s highlights and biggest debuts.
While there is quite some uncertainty in the car industry, many manufacturers unveiled concepts, redesigned models and more.
As a preview for the tyling of the 2010 production model, Volvo revealed the Volvo S60 Concept at the Detroit Auto Show today.
Designers call the exterior design dynamic and full of character, and state that their inspiration came from Scandinavian design and the Swedish coastline. These influences are the reason behind the double-wave design that runs along the profile of the car.
Like any other Volvo, safety plays an important role in the design and functioning of the car. Volvo engineers have equipped the S60 Concept with several new systems such as Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection, a heads-up display warning system and an updated version of Adaptive Cruise Control.
