1991 Audi Avus Quattro Concept
Mere weeks after the quattro Spyder, Audi launched a second rocket:
the Avus quattro high-performance sports car captivated onlookers at the
Tokyo Motor Show in the fall of 1991. The Avus quattro also boasted a
lightweight aluminum body: the frame weighed a mere 52 kilograms (114.64
lb), the unpainted and polished surface 100 kilograms (220.46 lb).
This show car’s second technological sensation was its engine.
Positioned longitudinally ahead of the front suspension, the six-liter
unit’s three cylinder banks were in a ‘W’ configuration: the precursor
to today’s A8 W12. Thanks to a powerful 374 kW (509 hp) and a weight of
only 1,250 kilograms (2,755.78 lb), the Audi Avus quattro topped out at
340 km/h (211.27 mph)! A sophisticated quattro drive train conveyed the
power to the road. To optimize the distribution of weight, the six-speed
manual transmission was fitted between the front wheels. All wheels
were attached to double triangular wishbones; the electronically
controlled rear wheels enhanced the cornering dynamics.
At 4.42 meters in length (14.50 ft), this show car’s design remains irresistibly stunning to this day. The flat driver’s cockpit was remarkably close to the vehicle’s front end. The long wheelbase of 2.80 meters (9.19 ft) created a large gap between the powerful 20-inch wheels. In addition, the fenders, the sides and the curved roof – which bore the exterior mirrors – collectively formed a single glistening wave.
“The Avus quattro is one of Audi’s major icons,” proclaims Stefan Sielaff. “Its sculpture with the pronounced cab-forward design pays homage to bygone designs; it echoes the streamlined racing cars of the 1930s. Yet the Avus quattro also proved to be forward-looking: the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, a current concept vehicle, also has a NACA duct in its roof – as did the Avus quattro.”
Specifications.
- Layout :: Mid-Engine/AWD
- Transmission :: 6-Speed Manual
- 0-60 mph :: 2.9 sec
- Top Speed :: 211 mph
- engine :: 60 Valve DOHC W12 (3 rows of 4)
- displacement :: 5998 cc / 366.0 cu in
- power :: 379.6 kw / 509.0 bhp @ 5800 rpm
- hp per litre :: 84.86 bhp per litre
- torque :: 540.0 nm / 398.3 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm
- drive wheels :: Mid Engine / 4WD
- front brakes :: Vented Discs
- rear brakes :: Vented Discs
- weight :: 1250 kg / 2756 lbs
- length :: 4424 mm / 174.2 in
- width :: 1976 mm / 77.8 in
- height :: 1174 mm / 46.2 in
- transmission :: 6-Speed Manual
- top speed :: 340.0 kph / 211.3 mph
(source: Audi)
At 4.42 meters in length (14.50 ft), this show car’s design remains irresistibly stunning to this day. The flat driver’s cockpit was remarkably close to the vehicle’s front end. The long wheelbase of 2.80 meters (9.19 ft) created a large gap between the powerful 20-inch wheels. In addition, the fenders, the sides and the curved roof – which bore the exterior mirrors – collectively formed a single glistening wave.
“The Avus quattro is one of Audi’s major icons,” proclaims Stefan Sielaff. “Its sculpture with the pronounced cab-forward design pays homage to bygone designs; it echoes the streamlined racing cars of the 1930s. Yet the Avus quattro also proved to be forward-looking: the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, a current concept vehicle, also has a NACA duct in its roof – as did the Avus quattro.”
Specifications.
- Layout :: Mid-Engine/AWD
- Transmission :: 6-Speed Manual
- 0-60 mph :: 2.9 sec
- Top Speed :: 211 mph
- engine :: 60 Valve DOHC W12 (3 rows of 4)
- displacement :: 5998 cc / 366.0 cu in
- power :: 379.6 kw / 509.0 bhp @ 5800 rpm
- hp per litre :: 84.86 bhp per litre
- torque :: 540.0 nm / 398.3 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm
- drive wheels :: Mid Engine / 4WD
- front brakes :: Vented Discs
- rear brakes :: Vented Discs
- weight :: 1250 kg / 2756 lbs
- length :: 4424 mm / 174.2 in
- width :: 1976 mm / 77.8 in
- height :: 1174 mm / 46.2 in
- transmission :: 6-Speed Manual
- top speed :: 340.0 kph / 211.3 mph
(source: Audi)
1991 Audi Avus Quattro.
1991 Audi Avus Quattro.
1991 Audi Avus Quattro.
1991 Audi Avus Quattro.
1991 Audi Avus Quattro.
0 comments: