Car Fule

Audi has just unveiled an amazing concept: the Skysphere! With more than 600 hp, its autonomous mode and its variable wheelbase, the Rings brand has gone to great lengths to present the direction its design will take in the coming years. It is also an opportunity to bring out some forgotten concept cars of the brand. Some clearly influenced the manufacturer, others not at all: we selected five!

Audi Quartz (1981): a Pininfarina before being an Audi

This Quartz It doesn’t really look like an Audi, with its taut coupe lines, small headlights, and carbon bodywork. And for good reason: the car is not at all intended for the Rings, but is a study by Pininfarina to celebrate the 75 years of Automobil Revue magazine. During development, the manufacturer gives a Quattro to Pininfarina, who will take it as a basis. Audi ends up taking up the concept and names it Quartz.

Listen grandfather Quattro (1991): une W12 supercar!

In the 1990s, Audi prepared two innovations. On the one hand, the aluminum frame, which saves weight (despite significant development and manufacturing costs). And on the other hand, the W12 engine, more compact than a V12. To familiarize the public with these ideas, Audi released several concepts, including this Avus Quattro, a four-wheel drive supercar. The very round look foreshadows the future A8, and the TT coupe, both signed by the same designer as the concept.

Audi Steppenwolf (2000): the TT SUV!

In the early 2000s, the idea of ​​SUVs began to emerge. To study the question, Audi presents at the Paris Motor Show an astonishing concept, the Steppenwolf. This small SUV takes the look and platform of the Audi TT, as well as its 3.2-liter V6. The idea seems quite plausible today, in a world where SUVs and small crossovers dominate sales. But the Steppenwolf will not see the light of day. On the other hand, we can see it as a predecessor of the future Audi Q3.

Audi Rosemeyer (2000): the ancestor of the Bugatti Veyron?

The Audi Rosemeyer pays homage to Bernd Rosemeyer, pre-war pilot in Grand Prix and speed records. Above all, we can see a study that foreshadows the Bugatti Veyron: large retro grille at the front, four-wheel drive, and especially W16 engine at the rear. The detail that kills: the headlights can be obscured by a removable cover.

Audi Nanuk (2013): an all-terrain R8… And diesel!

The Audi Nanuk is only a few years old, but it is already well forgotten. I have to say that the concept is quite astonishing. An elevated Audi R8 look, and driven by a V10… TDI ! The latter is strong with 544 hp, but above all 1000 Nm of torque! What to face all types of conditions in style. But Dieselgate has been there, and the idea is quickly shelved at the bottom of the drawers.

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