All-new Audi crossover launched!
2005-01-11 09:06
This Audi crossover has been developed specifically for this presentation at the most important car show in the USA and is an appropriate highlight for the brand as Audi enters the 25th anniversary of "quattro" in 2005.
At the same time, this concept car serves as a spearhead in technology demonstrating innovative electronic systems destined to enter series production in just a few years.
Including the world first "Audi road vision", as well as "lane assist" and "side assist", the new technologies featured in the allroad quattro concept are designed to keep the driver and passengers safe under all road conditions.
The car shares design cues with the Audi A6 Avant but it also features functional elements of an off-roader.
It has a striking visual appearance and the concept car measures 4.93 metres in length and 1.89 metres in width.
Under the skin
The powerful engine, permanent quattro all-wheel drive and highly advanced suspension are features quite natural on an Audi of this calibre.
Furthermore the car comes with a brand-new 4-litre TDI engine. It boasts common rail fuel injection and piezo injectors which makes its, according to Audi, the world's "most powerful and advanced" eight-cylinder self-ignition engine.
Maximum output of 210 kW and peak torque of 650 Nm ensure the muscle and performance of a thoroughbred sports car.
The six-speed automatic transmission means the allroad quattro concept accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds, with top speed limited electronically to 250 km/h.
Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive, featuring a torsen centre differential, conveys the power of the engine to all four wheels both on-road and off-road, ensuring maximum traction and lateral stability at all times.
Furthermore Audi claims that the chassis and suspension of the Audi allroad quattro concept also offer genuine all-round qualities.
It also has adaptive air suspension, a combination of air suspension and electronically controlled dampers. Variable ground clearance adjustable from 160 to 210 millimetres enables the Audi allroad quattro concept to tackle rougher terrain.
Gizmos
Audi equipped this concept vehicle with a number of high technology features such as "Audi road vision", an optical sensor system able to recognise the condition of the road and its surface.
The system not only informs the driver on potentially critical conditions such as gravel or black ice, but also gives the electronic stabilisation program (ESP) and the adaptive cruise control additional, crucial parameters for even better proactive control.
Audi lane assist induces vibrations on the steering wheel to inform the driver as soon as he inadvertently leaves his lane.
Audi side assist, in turn, incorporates radar sensors monitoring the area behind and next to the car.
So once the system detects vehicles approaching the Audi allroad quattro concept or driving in the car's blind angle, the driver is informed accordingly by a warning light coming on in the exterior mirror on the appropriate side.