Audi present 'nanuk' quattro concept

Developed in collaboration with Italdesign Giugiaro (hence its similarity to the 'Parcour' concept created by the same company and unveiled earlier this year), Audi says the nanuk is a combination of high-performance sports car dynamics and quattro expertise for the road, race track and off-road.

The two-seater crossover concept is powered by a newly-developed, mid-mounted V10 TDI engine. The 5.0-litre diesel produces over 400 kW (544 hp) and delivers 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft from just 1,500 rpm. A beefed-up seven-speed S tronic located behind the engine transfers torque to a specially designed quattro drive train.

Curb weight is around 1,900 kilograms (4,188.78 lb). Performance is listed as 3.8 seconds for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint, and a top speed of 305 km/h (189.52 mph). Innovative thermal engine management with separate cooling loops and the steplessly regulated oil pump contribute to fuel consumption of just 7.8 litres per 100 kilometers (30.16 US mpg) on average.

The show car's 22-inch wheels are shod with 235/50-series tyres up front and 295/45 at the rear. Brake discs are carbon fibre-ceramic.

Suspension is double wishbone, combined with future Audi technology in the form of an adaptive air system with electronically controlled dampers that the driver can manually adjust. Ground clearance can be set in three stages: normal, 30 mm (1.18 in) lower, or 40 mm (1.57 in) higher. The system also controls the level of the body itself based on driving speed and road surface: on the highway, the body remains lowered, but is automatically raised when on a gravel road.

The show car also features integral steering, which combines the proven Audi dynamic steering at the front axle with supplemental steering for the rear wheels, improving the handling, delivering more neutral cornering and shortening the wheelbase to decrease the turning circle.At higher speeds the system turns the rear wheels, extending the wheelbase for better stability.

Exterior design
The Audi nanuk quattro concept has a wheelbase of 2,710 mm (106.69 in). It is 4,541 mm (178.78 in) long, 1,990 mm (78.35 in) wide and 1,337 mm (52.64 in) tall.

The concept's Audi Space Frame (ASF) body is constructed from lightweight aluminium, with carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) outer panels.

At the front of the show car is a very flat version of Audi's hexagonal grille, air inlets separated by vertical bars and a thin, blade-like bumper. Daytime running lights feature new Audi Matrix LED technology and also serve as turn signals.

In profile, the contours of the front and rear wheel arches dominate, while the butterfly-style doors feature deep sculpting leading to the large R8-style engine air inlets. A second, smaller blade behind the side window is moveable and facilitates the flow of air through the engine compartment.

The greenhouse is low, and the C-pillars flow to the rear of the car. Wide aprons cap the side sills. Wing-shaped cameras replace the exterior mirrors.

A concave section across the rear integrates the Audi rings, tail lights and a third brake light, which runs as a flat strip between the lights. The back end diffuser houses two large, round tailpipes.

The TDI V10 is visible through a large rear window, while the entire rear bodywork can be flipped upward in one piece to access the longitudinally-mounted V10. Luggage is stowed at the front of the car.

Interior
The nanuk quattro concept interior "has been reduced to the essentials" with an overall finish in dark aluminium, carbon fibre and 'mineral grey' leather trim on the dash, seats and door panels.

The floating-style instrument panel, featuring a freely-programmable instrument cluster, rather than traditional dials, is supported by aluminium 'stirrups' at the centre console, with numerous storage compartments.

All control elements, including the controls for the electronically controlled air suspension, the touch wheel for navigation and multimedia functions and the turn signals, are concentrated on the centre console and the steering wheel.

The driver can call up a variety of displays and information as desired. Two small monitors in the A-pillars display the images from the rear-view cameras on the doors. A central display, mounted on the headlining, works in a similar way, replacing the rear view mirror.

Seats are power-adjustable, with folding backs, pronounced side bolsters and integrated head restraints.