Audi Concept Cars

1. Audi Avus

Reinforced Audi's reputation as an innovator in automotive design and engineering.

The Audi Avus quattro was a groundbreaking concept car unveiled by Audi at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1991. Named after the famous Avus racetrack in Berlin, the Avus quattro was not only a showcase of Audi's design and engineering prowess but also a glimpse into the future of high-performance vehicles. It was one of the most striking concept cars of its time, highlighting Audi's commitment to innovation.

The Avus quattro's design was characterized by its sleek, futuristic lines and polished aluminum bodywork, which gave it a distinctive, mirror-like appearance. The body was made entirely of aluminum, previewing the Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology that would later be used in production models like the Audi A8. This use of aluminum helped to significantly reduce the car's weight, enhancing its performance and efficiency.

The car featured a mid-engine layout and was powered by a proposed W12 engine, which was intended to produce around 509 horsepower. Although the engine in the concept car was not functional, the design aimed for a top speed of over 340 km/h (211 mph) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in about 3 seconds, according to Audi's projections at the time.

2. Audi Quattro Spyder

Innovative use of aluminum and efficient powertrain previewed Audi's future direction.

The Audi Quattro Spyder was a concept car introduced by Audi in 1991, not long before the unveiling of the Avus quattro concept. The Quattro Spyder was significant for its innovative design and technology, representing a potential direction for Audi's sports cars that combined performance with practicality. Despite its enthusiastic reception and the interest it generated, the Quattro Spyder never went into mass production, but it left a lasting impact on Audi's design and technological development.

The Audi Quattro Spyder featured a compact, mid-engine layout, with a body made from aluminum to keep the weight low—a design philosophy that would later be seen in Audi's production models. Its exterior was characterized by sharp lines and a low-slung silhouette, typical of sports cars of the era, but with distinctive Audi styling cues. The car was equipped with a removable hardtop, allowing it to transform from a coupe to a spyder, hence its name.

Under the hood, the Quattro Spyder was powered by a 2.8-liter V6 engine, producing around 174 horsepower. While not as powerful as some of the era's supercars, the engine, combined with the car's lightweight construction and all-wheel drive system, promised impressive performance dynamics.

3. Audi Nuvolari

Production models ended up echoing the Nuvolari quattro's design philosophy.

The Audi Nuvolari quattro was a concept car introduced by Audi in 2003, named after the legendary Italian racing driver Tazio Nuvolari. The Nuvolari quattro was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, showcasing Audi's vision for a future grand touring (GT) coupe. It was a demonstration of Audi's design evolution and technological innovation, highlighting the brand's capabilities in creating high-performance, luxurious vehicles.

The Audi Nuvolari quattro featured a sleek, muscular design with a long hood and a fastback rear, embodying the classic GT car proportions. Its exterior design included distinctive Audi elements, such as the single-frame grille, which would become a hallmark of Audi's design language in the following years. The concept car's body was made of aluminum and carbon fiber, emphasizing lightweight construction for improved performance and efficiency.

Under the hood, the Nuvolari quattro was equipped with a 5.0-liter V10 twin-turbocharged engine, producing an impressive 600 horsepower and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. The engine was mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, delivering power to all four wheels through Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. This powertrain enabled the Nuvolari quattro to achieve remarkable performance figures, with a 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of just 4.1 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

4. Audi E-Tron

A cool looking electric supercar before we had cool electric supercars for real. They should make it.

The first Audi e-tron concept introduced in 2009 was a high-performance sports car with an all-electric powertrain, showcasing Audi's vision for combining performance with electric mobility.

The 2009 e-tron concept was powered by four electric motors, two at the front and two at the rear, delivering a combined output of approximately 313 horsepower and an impressive 4,500 Nm (about 3,319 lb-ft) of torque. This allowed for exceptional acceleration, with 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.8 seconds. It was equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack that promised a range of around 248 kilometers (154 miles) on a full charge, indicating Audi's focus on developing EVs suitable for everyday use as well as performance.

The concept featured innovative technology, including a heat pump for efficient thermal management—a critical aspect of electric vehicle design to maximize range and battery performance.

5. Audi Quattro

It stands as a testament to what could have been... the modern return of the greatest ever.

The Audi quattro concept introduced in 2010 was a homage to the original Audi Quattro, a legendary car that changed the face of rallying and became an icon of automotive engineering. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original Quattro, the 2010 concept aimed to capture the spirit and performance of its predecessor while showcasing modern Audi technology and design.

The Audi quattro concept was based on the Audi RS5, with its wheelbase shortened by 150 mm to match the dimensions of the original Quattro. It featured a lightweight body made from aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, contributing to a total weight of just 1,300 kg (approximately 2,866 lbs), which was remarkably light for a car of its capabilities.

The exterior design was a modern interpretation of the classic Quattro, combining sharp lines, a distinctive front grille, and the characteristic boxy wheel arches that paid homage to the original's rallying heritage. The interior was equally sporty, with a focus on minimalism and functionality, reflecting the car's performance-oriented nature.

Under the hood, the quattro concept was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, producing 408 horsepower and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. This power was delivered to all four wheels via Audi's renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The concept car could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds, according to Audi's claims.