AUDI SPORT QUATTRO CONCEPT DETAILED

Audi is presenting this super duper Sport quatttro Concept at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Figures released point to a car that defies current laws of car manufacturing in terms of overall performance – power, acceleration, and fuel consumption. Take a look below.

First off it’s a hybrid that combines petrol and electricity to make stupendous amounts of power. The 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine that produces 412kW is here too. But of course it’s not alone. There’s a disc-shaped electric motor making an extra 110kW and 400Nm of torque, powered by its own liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack. Total system output is 515kW and 800Nm of torque, delivering an acceleration time of 3.7 seconds through an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox and quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD). Top whack is 305 km/h.

These are undoubtedly supercar figures, yet fuel consumption is akin to that of a wheelbarrow. At 2.5 litres per 100km of unleaded petrol, the Sport quattro Concept is a study in absolute motor engineering amazement. They say it can even go up to 50km on electric power alone. That means you could conceivably travel between Jozi and Pretoria without even tapping into the V8 bay.

While it may look compact from a distance, the vehicle is actually 4.6 metres long, 1.96m wide, 1.386m high and has a wheelbase of 2.78m. So it is spacious inside, while exhibiting a wide stance. Great for cornering prowess.

Some of the hi-tech stuff that makes it all possible includes things like Matrix LED headlights consisting of many individual diodes. They are activated, deactivated or dimmed individually according to the situation. Racing bucket seats with folding backs, space for four passengers, a multifunction sport steering wheel that can switch between a number of virtual 3D displays, are just some of the interior features. Audi says the use of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) for the roof, bonnet and rear hatch, as well as aluminium doors and fenders have contributed to restricting weight to about 1 850kg. While this looks quite high for the size of the car, remember that hybrids tend to be heavier because of the extra kit used, like the batteries.

Audi South Africa, can we please see this marvel at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show next month? Pretty please.