In October, the Audi quattro concept was unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. This concept car was developed specifically to celebrate 30 years of Quattro.

It evokes the true spirit of the 1984 Sport Quattro, combining the latest generation quattro system and an inline five-cylinder engine. The lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre body shell contributes to a kerb weight of just 1,300kg.

Form follows function. The concept car's wheelbase is 150 mm shorter than the RS 5, and designers reduced the rear overhang and roof height to enhance agility and reduce weight.

Exterior

This is a deliberately aggressive and extroverted car. The low roof lowers the vehicle's visual centre of gravity. The muscular C-pillar and the large centre-locking, 20-inch wheels make for extremely dynamic and powerful proportions when viewed from the side.
The wheel wells and air outlet are prominently flared - another homage to the Sport quattro. No chrome frame on the grille lends it a functional and technical character. Large, upright air intakes at the corners of the bumper underscore the performance.
The strongly moulded front skirt, bonnet, rear hatch and integrated spoiler all include integrated carbon elements - they're lightweight and extremely strong. The spoiler also extends automatically and can be adjusted for maximum downforce.

Interior

The interior is reduced and clean. The dashboard is very slender and seems to float over the separate centre console, and in the cabin, carbon surfaces and upholstered leather inlays speak of quality and performance.

Space

Shortening the wheelbase meant losing the rear seat - in its place is a shelf for helmets or luggage. The bucket seats weigh only 18 kilograms each - roughly 40 percent lighter than a conventional production seat.

Cockpit

The control unit for the MMI touch system and the shift lever for the six-speed transmission are located on the slender centre console.
The instrument cluster is completely digital - the display contains all the information required by the driver. The clear graphics, the stark black-and-white contrast and the subtle red highlights are precise and modern, with no superfluous touches.

Audio & Communications

This is a truly digital car. A customizable web radio can connect to digital radio stations via the driver's cellular phone, and play the driver's own files. Playback of the driver's own files and playlists is also supported - all the driver's digital details can been seen in a single view

The engine in the Audi quattro concept extracts incredible potential from its high-performance five-cylinder petrol engine. Numerous modifications resulted in a substantial power increase to 408PS.

The power-to-weight ratio of 314PS per tonne already says a lot about the car's dynamic potential. It is impressively close to the 525 hp Audi R8 V10, a veritable supercar. The quattro concept also has a much better power-to-weight ratio than its Sport quattro predecessor.
The five-cylinder turbo in the Audi quattro concept is also a high-performance engine. It produces 408PS between 5,400 and 6,500 rpm. Peak torque of 480 Nm is already available at 1,600 and remains constant through to 5,300 rpm. This produces 0 to 62mph in just 3.9 seconds.
The 408PS five-cylinder engine's high efficiency is achieved by combining FSI direct fuel injection and turbocharging. This TFSI pairing has powered the R8 race car to five victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 63 victories in 80 other races.

Function

This is an unusual engine. It has a firing interval of 144 degrees and a firing order of 1-2-4-5-3, alternately between directly adjacent cylinders and cylinders that are far apart.
This produces the distinctive rhythm and musical sound, which are also the result of the intake and exhaust geometry. A specially designed torsional vibration damper at the front end of the crankshaft compensates for the free moments of the engine