Audi reveals 690bhp hybrid quattro 04 | 09 | 2013
AUDI HAS OFFICIALLY revealed its modern successor to the iconic, legendary quattro, 30 years after the original musclebound Sport quattro appeared.
The modern-day Sport quattro concept, which will make its first public appearance in Frankfurt next week, is fitted with a plug-in hybrid drive delivering a system output of 690bhp.
Powered by its 556bhp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with cylinder-on-demand technology, combined with 110kW electric motor, Audi says the car is capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds, a top speed 189mph, 113mpg and 59g/km.
Though there are no plans to bring the new Sport quattro to market, Audi is using the concept to highlight technology which is expected to appear in a 'halo' production model which will sit above the current R8.
The concept is 4602mm long, 1964mm wide and 1386mm high, with a wheelbase of 2784mm, and is understood to sit on the VW Group's next-generation MLB platform. It's this versatile platform which will support not only new, big Audi models, but also those from Porsche, Bentley and VW.
The two-door coupe concept is wider, slightly taller and slightly shorter than the current production RS5 coupe.
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With the ability to travel up to 31 miles on electric power alone, the new Audi concept also features an ‘intelligent management system’ to regulate the on-demand power from the hybrid system, but the driver is able to select from one of three driving modes: EV, Hybrid and Sport.
In EV mode, the concept runs solely on electric power. In Hybrid mode, it optimises the two power sources for economy and includes features such as the ability to save electric range for later in a journey. In Sport mode, the hybrid system is tuned purely for performance, with the electric motor providing extra boost to the engine.
As Audi builds towards the roll-out of a new range of models fitted with its plug-in hybrid technology — the route the Ingolstadt company believes to be the most viable short to mid-term way of reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel economy, while maintaining current range expectations and driving performance — it remains fully aware there will be a greater demand for a modern successor to the Sport quattro.
The appearance of the new plug-in hybrid quattro is the first serious indication of where Audi intends to take its future hypercars.
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Jim McGill