Signaling Audi's Future Design Direction

The crossover concept car "Allroad Shooting Brake" is not only a new design proposal for an RV sports model but also an important model hinting at the new direction of Audi design.

One might easily imagine a new crossover model due to its high ground clearance and the two-tone body coloring, but testimony from insiders reveals that several hints about the next Audi "TT" are hidden within each part of this model.

Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi AG, stated, "With this show car, we are expressing the details of new models to be announced in the near future very concretely." The prevailing expectation is that this new model is indeed the next "TT."

Of course, this does not mean the next "TT" will abandon its sleek coupe body for a crossover model. For instance, elements like the sculpted form, the solid front grille shape, the distinct fender arches and door shapes that seem to reach up to the front hood, and the shape of the four-segmented LED headlights and taillights suggest the next TT.

If we were to lower the ride height of the crossover concept car, the Allroad Shooting Brake, and give it a more coupe-like cabin, wouldn't the silhouette of the next TT faintly emerge? Perhaps to ensure the rear-seat spaciousness, which was the TT's sole drawback, the styling might adopt a more upright C-pillar, like that of the Allroad Shooting Brake, rather than the previous coupe style with its gently sloping rear window.—It's enjoyable to contemplate such possibilities.

The Quattro System Also Goes Electric

Meanwhile, the Allroad Shooting Brake crossover concept car unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show has a wheelbase of 2,510mm and dimensions equivalent to the C-segment: 4,200mm long, 1,850mm wide, and 1,410mm high. It features 19-inch wheels with 255/40R19 tires.

The high ground clearance and the enhanced off-road capability provided by the large tires give it a rugged crossover impression, but thanks to the use of aluminum and CFRP for the body panels, the vehicle weight is kept to approximately 1,600kg.

The powertrain combines a 2-liter four-cylinder turbo TFSI engine with two electric motors and an 8.8kWh battery, forming a plug-in hybrid system. It employs a completely new and unique Quattro system consisting of a 215kW (292ps) 2-liter inline-4 engine, a 40kW (54ps) motor for front-wheel drive, and a rear-wheel-only motor producing 85kW (115.5ps). The system's combined output is 300kW (408ps), generating a maximum torque of 650Nm (66.3kgm), capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds.

While delivering such performance, it also offers an electric-only range of approximately 50km and boasts a low fuel consumption of 52.6km per liter (measured by ECE standard). With a total range of 820km and CO2 emissions as low as 45g/km, its environmental compatibility is also a key feature.

Notably, the Allroad Shooting Brake prioritizes the EV mode at all times. In EV mode, it utilizes the dedicated rear-axle motor instead of the front drive unit, delivering powerful torque solely to the rear wheels, capable of accelerating up to 130km/h.

There are three drive modes available: EV mode, Hybrid mode, and Sport mode, which can be easily selected using the multifunction switch on the steering wheel. Hybrid mode efficiently combines the engine and the front motor for driving, while Sport mode engages the engine and both front and rear motors simultaneously, with the 2-liter TFSI engine also shifting to boost mode for full power delivery.

Compared to the exterior, which strongly emphasizes its role as a show car, the interior features a sporty and realistic design that evokes the next TT.

The three-dimensional dashboard and the bridge-like center console designAudihint at a new era of interior design for Audi, brimming with dynamism. The circular air vents, which form the basic shape, also incorporate switches, beautifully merging functionality and design.

The Allroad Shooting Brake is noteworthy not only for its exterior and interior design but also for its powertrain and body materials, packed with Audi's latest technologies, offering numerous highlights as a concept car. If this is indeed a preview of the next TT, it undoubtedly heightens anticipation for the next "TT," which is expected to be revealed soon.