We drove through: the Audi Quattro prototype

The legend returns.

Audi began to take on its modern look with the legendary Quattro. When they first saw and drove this car, Audi's image was just beginning to change. Thirty years later, connoisseurs increasingly find that Audi legendary models are running out... The last one that brought something new, the R8 and A5, has also been on the market for some time; The third generation TT will also be available soon. Audi management has found a proven solution: the legend is back!

We got our first glimpse of the Audi Quattro concept at last year's Paris Motor Show, and recently they also drove the first few laps of the new Quattro prototype on a miniature racetrack near Audi's German plant in Neckarsulm.

Parisian Quattro concept won the approval of many salon visitors, lovers of fast and powerful cars, as well as design insiders, as its completely modern design however, it retains many of the legendary features of the first and only Quattro, from which, of course, Audi's all-wheel drive philosophy was developed in the XNUMX's.

In production already in 2013?

Audi executives have yet to make a final decision on whether the new Quattro will actually receive the green light, but the design department has prepared the first prototype based on it to ease the decision. Audi RS5 with a shortened wheelbase (150 mm), reduced ground clearance (40 mm) and a number of new lightweight parts (aluminum, magnesium, composites and carbon fiber parts). A much stiffer, sportier and more powerful chassis is the centerpiece of the new Quattro, which is expected to hit the market in 2013 (with a positive decision).

Of course, the drive motor is also an important component. Therefore, Audi is preparing the strongest version Its turbocharged, five-cylinder 2,5-liter, also known as the TT RS, is much lighter than the V8 built into the RS5. The engine from the TT SR will now be located in the front in the longitudinal direction. Already in the Paris show version, it was announced that the new engine in the Audi Quattro will have a power of 300 kW or 408 'horses'... As with the RS5, it takes care of the power transfer. two-speed seven-speed S-tronicThe all-wheel drive has a self-locking center differential with two ring gears, and Audi's Torque Vectoring, which is added to the basic electronic control for vehicle stability, also ensures that power is distributed correctly to the individual wheels.

Aluminum and carbon for less weight

A prototype of the new Quattro has already been created with a new approach to Audi design, that is, with technology. aluminum space frame, but some innovations were used for this. Almost all parts of the outer body plate are made of aluminum, while the hood, engine and trunk are made of carbon fiber. Such a lightweight design, of course, comes at a cost to the weight of the car, the prototype has so much to offer compared to the Audi RS5. £ 300 less... The target weight of the new Quattro is only 1.300 kilograms, and the prototype model was already very close to that figure. A number of lighter parts inside the cockpit will also lead to further downsizing, as almost all of the interior in the prototype was still on the plate from the RS5.

Real sports car

First driving impression convincing... Deploying 400 "horsepower" on all driving wheels seems incredibly efficient, but of course the power and acceleration with it are convincing. S-tronic in the sports program makes this practically possible perfect way to switchmanual intervention was unnecessary, at least on those few laps of the mini racetrack. The position on the road also seems to be good, especially since there is enough car. manageablethanks to the basic 40:60 power ratio for forward and reverse power and the electronics that immediately transfer power to the non-slip wheels.

Combining the driving experience of this prototype with the look of the Quattro concept at the Paris show, it’s clear that two things will be difficult for us to wait for: the Audi management decision to start production and 2013 when we can really test it out. !!

Quattro started three decades ago

Audi unveils its first Quattro at the Geneva Motor Show for the first time in 1980when the revolutionary four-wheel drive and five-cylinder turbo engine were installed in the body of the then coupe. Shortly after the official presentation, Audi began a victorious ride with him in the World Rally Championship. When the evolutionary Sport Quattro was unveiled four years later, with a 150mm shortened wheelbase and officially 306 horsepower (the S1 rally version Walter Röhrl wished to succeed with probably had at least double that). The legendary first Audi Quattro reached its peak.

text: Tomaž Porekar, photo: institute