Audi Presents Allroad Quattro Concept Vehicle At North American International Auto Show
6 January 1998
Audi Presents Allroad Quattro Concept Vehicle At North American International Auto Show
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 6 -- Audi AG and Audi of America,
Inc. today presented the Audi allroad quattro concept vehicle on their stand
at the North American International Auto Show. This show marks the first
presentation of this concept vehicle in the world.
This concept vehicle illustrates the ideas of Audi's designers and
development engineers for what an entry into the developing "all-roader"
segment might include.
"We told our engineers to develop a concept capable of combining the best
of two worlds," said Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Speaker of the Board of
Management of Audi AG, in describing the car.
The Audi allroad quattro indeed combines the best of two worlds: on the
one hand it possesses the comfort and convenience, dynamism, elegance and
exclusive appeal of a premium luxury car, and on the other, the ability to
cope with even the poorest road conditions with ease. The A6 Avant basis of
the vehicle with its five doors means that the interior is highly versatile.
Equipped with Audi's fourth generation quattro system, the all road
quattro combines functional features such as a sturdy metal underride
protection device, tires with dual zone treads and a three-position variable-
height, electronically controlled pneumatic self-leveling suspension system on
both axles.
The interior features bountiful, sumptuous leather tanned in a gentle
green hue to match the exterior of the car. In addition to the seats, door
panels and steering wheel, the entire instrument panel, the armrests in the
doors and the sides of the luggage compartment are trimmed in leather. The
warm character of the leather is enhanced by genuine walnut rootwood trim,
which has been left in its natural state apart from a protective lacquer
coating.
The car's advanced suspension system automatically maintains the vehicle
at the desired ride height, which can be set to 195 mm/7.7 in., 170 mm/6.7
in., or 145 mm/5.7 in. at the push of a button, irrespective of what loads are
being carried. At high road speeds, the vehicle is automatically lowered from
195 mm to 170 mm, appreciably enhancing the car's drag coefficient and road-
handling characteristics.
The car is powered by a 200 horsepower 2.8 liter thirty-valve, six
cylinder engine with variable intake manifold and camshaft adjustment. A
noteworthy characteristic of this engine is its high peak torque which is
available to the driver even at low speeds.
SOURCE Audi of America, Inc.
