A Preview of Production Car Details

Audi will present the "Sport Quattro Concept" at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a concept model celebrating the 30th anniversary of the "Sport Quattro"'s debut. This follows the "Quattro Concept," a concept car unveiled in 2010 to mark the 30th anniversary of the "Audi Quattro"'s birth. Much like the relationship between the original "Ur-Quattro" and its evolution, the "Sport Quattro," this new concept adopts a more powerful design infused with motorsport flair.


The now-legendary "Sport Quattro" was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1983, the same show where this concept makes its debut, as a homologation model for the World Rally Championship. It featured a 225kW (306ps) inline-five DOHC 20-valve turbo engine mounted at the front, driving all four wheels. To enhance its agility, it had a distinctive exterior with an even shorter wheelbase than the "Ur-Quattro." Walter Röhrl, now known as a test driver for Porsche, drove it to victory in the 1987 Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado, USA.

The "Sport Quattro Concept" is an homage to the "Sport Quattro" and a preview of future sporty versions. The exterior design evolves from the "Quattro Concept," integrating the DNA of both the "Ur-Quattro" (original Quattro) and the "Sport Quattro."


Its distinctive proportions are derived from its dimensions: 4,602mm long, 1,964mm wide, and 1,386mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,784mm. The front and rear overhangs are extremely short. Characteristic features include blister-style fenders housing 21-inch tires and trapezoidal C-pillars. This silhouette clearly pays homage to the "Sport Quattro." The fender design offers a new interpretation of blister fenders, with muscular, sharp lines that enhance its emotional appeal.


Notably, Audi'sMatrix LEDheadlights and the placement of the Four Rings emblem within the front grille are significant.


Audi's standard lineup, including RS models, currently integrates the emblem within the grille. However, similar to the "R8," the emblem here is positioned at the front edge of the hood. This suggests a preview of the design direction for the new R series lineup and its sportier variants.

700ps, 800Nm Hybrid System

The cabin is a four-seater, featuring a simple yet sporty design reminiscent of the "R8"R8." Most functions are driver-focused, with the steering wheel, digital instrument cluster, and head-up display consolidated in front of the driver. While it may be premature to say, this basic design, along with the multifunction sport steering wheel that allows various operations without removing hands from the wheel, offers a glimpse into the interior of the next "R8."

Carbon fiber is extensively used in the interior, reflecting a focus on lightweight construction befitting a sports model.


The instruments are entirely digital. The instrument cluster is a virtual display on an LCD screen. The multifunction sport steering wheel allows switching between 3D display modes, enabling simultaneous display of track information with the central speedometer, or selection of race modes with a stopwatch, and setup modes with detailed circuit data.

The powertrain employs a plug-in hybrid drive system. The engine is a 4.0 TFSI (4-liter V8 twin-turbo) with cylinder deactivation technology, producing a maximum output of 412kW (560ps) and a peak torque of 700Nm (71.3kgm). An electric motor, positioned between the engine and transmission, generates a maximum output of 110kW (149.5ps) and a peak torque of 400Nm (40.7kgm). The combined system output is 515kW (700ps), with a system torque of 800Nm (81.5kgm), delivered to all four wheels through an advanced 8-speed tiptronic transmission.


The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, another key component of the plug-in hybrid drive system, is mounted at the rear and provides 14.1kWh of electrical capacity. It offers an "EV mode" for electric-only driving, a highly efficient "Hybrid mode," and a "Sport mode" for maximum performance, all selectable by the driver.

The doors and fenders are made of aluminum, while the roof, engine hood, and rear hatch are constructed from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. The vehicle's weight, including the battery pack, is a mere 1,850kg. Consequently, the 0-100km/h acceleration with both the V8 engine and electric motor engaged is 3.7 seconds, matching the performance records of the "Sport Quattro" and its derivatives, which were built for victory in the rally world.


While boasting a top speed exceeding that of the "Audi R8 Coupé 4.2 FSI quattro" at 305km/h, it can travel approximately 50km on electric power alone. For reference, the "Sport Quattro Concept" achieves an average fuel consumption of 2.5 L/100km (40 km/L) and emits just 59g/km of CO2.


While we naturally anticipate the arrival of a production model without the "Concept" designation as a successor to the "Sport Quattro Concept," the details in the exterior and the styling of the interior hint at the design basis for future production vehicles.—Viewing it with this in mind, its presence is quite intriguing. Beyond simply discussing whether a concept car will go into production, discerning the subtle intentions of the manufacturer's engineers embedded within the concept car is one of the true pleasures of attending a motor show.

Audi Sport Quattro Concept
Body Dimensions | Length 4,602 x Width 1,964 x Height 1,386 mm
Wheelbase | 2,784 mm
Weight | 1,850 kg
Engine | 4.0-liter V8 direct-injection DOHC twin-turbo
Maximum Output | 412 kW (560 ps)
Peak Torque | 700 Nm
Motor Output | 110 kW
Motor Torque | 400 Nm
System Maximum Output | 515 kW (700 ps)
System Peak Torque | 800 Nm
Transmission | 8-speed automatic (tiptronic)
Drivetrain | 4WD
Front Suspension | 5-link
Rear Suspension | Trapezoidal link
Tires Front/Rear | 285/30R21
Brakes Front/Rear | Carbon-fiber ceramic disc brakes
Top Speed | 305 km/h
0-100 km/h Acceleration | 3.7 seconds
Fuel Consumption | 2.5 L/100km
CO2 Emissions | 59 g/km
Battery Capacity | 14.1 kWh
Trunk Capacity (VDA) | 300 liters