New Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro Concept

It gives the impression of having just emerged from the shop, freshly painted, on its way to the first rollout on the race track. The Audi A1 clubsport quattro is a one-off vehicle built to the limits of technology for breathtaking dynamics. Audi is presenting the showcar in Reifnitz, in the Austrian state of Kärnten, at the Wörtherseetour 2011. The 30th edition of this major meeting for Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW fans takes place from June 1 - 4, 2011.

The heart of the Audi A1 clubsport quattro is a classic Audi gasoline engine - a five-cylinder unit displacing 2.5 liters with turbocharging and direct fuel injection. Compared with the version used in the Audi TT RS and RS3 Sportback on which it is based, the output of the TFSI has been increased dramatically to 370 kW (503 hp) and 660 Nm (486.79 lb-ft) of torque. Maximum power is available between 2,500 and 5,300 rpm.

The turbocharger, intercooler, admission tract and the exhaust line have been systematically tuned for high performance. As on the Audi A4DTM, the tailpipe is located on the left flank, just in front of the rear wheel.

Another area where the Audi A1 clubsport quattro shines is its overall weight of just 1,390 kilograms (3,064 lb). The powerful engine catapults the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.7 seconds. From 0 to 200 km/h (124.27 mph) takes just 10.9 seconds, while the car goes from 80 to 120 km/h (49.71 to 74.56 mph) in fourth gear in just 2.4 seconds.

A six-speed manual transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive, both taken from the TT RS and enhanced, deliver the power to all four wheels. Top speed is governed at 250 km/h (155.34 mph).

The Audi showcar rolls on 255/30 low-profile tires mounted on 19-inch alloy wheels with a unique turbine design. Sitting behind the wheels are large, internally ventilated disc brakes. Up front, six-piston calipers grab perforated carbon fiber-ceramic discs. Large steel discs are mounted on the rear axle. The coilover suspension of the Audi A1 clubsport quattro features adjustable compression and rebound damping.

Dynamic and brawny: the exterior

Sporting a very dynamic appearance and an exquisite finish, the showcar makes no secret of its potential. The body has a Glacier White matt paint finish, with accents provided by many add-on parts. The roof arch in high-gloss black supports a roof made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and the four rings at the front of the car are solid aluminum.

Large, split air intakes with carbon struts are integrated into the distinctively modified front skirt. The single-frame radiator grille sports a black honeycomb design, and the headlights feature matted clasps with a red "wing." Heat from the engine compartment is dissipated via two large air outlets in the hood.

The front fenders, the doors and the rear side panels of the Audi A1 clubsport quattro have been widened by a total of 60 millimeters (2.36 in). They form horizontal "blister" edges, like those found on the Audi Ur-quattro. Air outlets are integrated into the rear ends of the fenders, and the newly designed trim strips on the sills are made of exposed CFRP. Sleek side mirrors are reminiscent of the Audi R8 high-performance sports car.

The rear of the showcar is dominated by the roof spoiler, which features a double wing to provide for sufficient downforce. Darkly toned rear lights and a large, closed diffuser hone the rear view of the Audi A1 clubsport quattro.

Designed as a road vehicle for the race track, the showcar has no rear seat. In its place are a large crossbar to further stiffen the body and storage for racing helmets. A weight-optimized starter battery used in racing is mounted in the rear below the two storage compartments. The strict high-performance concept left no room for an infotainment system, an MMI monitor or even a loudspeaker. The lightweight bucket seats are taken from the Audi R8 GT and feature a chassis made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. Red four-point belts secure the driver and passenger.

The interior of the showcar is a study in dark gray. Large areas are covered with exposed, matt-finished CFRP, including the walls in the rear section of the car, the tubes of the air vents and the "stern of the yacht" in the lower section of the center console. The CFRP material used on the open-spoked sport steering wheel is covered with leather. Rocker switches on the center console replace switches on the control stalk and in the door panels. Three additional instruments indicate the oil pressure, boost pressure and electrical system voltage.

The center console and the seats are covered in fine leather upholstery with tone-on-tone stitching. The selector lever is made of aluminum; the caps of the pedals and the surface of the footrest are made of stainless steel. Red loops replace the handles on the doors, the glove box and the covers of the storage compartments.

The Audi stand at Wörthersee

Joining the A1 clubsport quattro on the Audi stand at the GTI meet are 17 production vehicles from the current Audi model lineup. Among the vehicles that the brand is presenting to its fans at the Wörthersee is the new Audi Q3. The public can also take a close look at the Audi TT RS in Ibis White and an RS3 Sportback in Misano Red. Another model is the new Audi A6, which is on display next to an A7 Sportback in Misano Red.

Fans and guests making the trip to the Wörthersee from June 1-4, 2011 have the opportunity to present their tuned Audi in a worthy manner by driving it past the Audi stage at the company's Wörthersee stand.

New accessories for production models

Many of the features of the Audi A1 clubsport quattro will soon show up in the accessories program for the A1 family, which Audi is steadily expanding. Adhesive film decals in the contrasting colors Amalfi White, Ice Silver, metallic and Daytona Gray, pearl effect for the vehicles' shoulders are available immediately.

Another option is the union square lifestyle kit. It comprises exterior decals and design elements for the interior, both with a diamond pattern. Audi is presenting both this and the A1 aerodynamics competition kit at the Wörtherseetour. The customer can order this add-on kit painted either in the body color or in a contrasting color. The same applies to the Audi A1 roof spoiler competition kit.

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Performance of Audi A6 Avant

The exterior of this Audi A6 is elegantly painted in white color; make a different with the interior which is dominated by black color shade. This elegance sedan variant from Audi is powered by 3.0 V6 TDI 313 hp twin turbo. The car dimension is 4.93 meters long, high 1.46 and 1.87 while the wide wheelbase is 2.91 meters. The Audi A6 Avant is designed with 20% of the aluminum car body (-30 kg), that makes Audi A6 Avant become 70 kg lighter than the previous generation. It’s also designed with fuel efficiency that can reduce consumption up to 18%. The cargo space reaches a volume of 565 liters.

Audi A6 Avant will be launched in the second half of 2011, it will be available 6, two petrol and four diesel. At the base there is the 4-cylinder 2.0 TDI with 177 hp and 380 Nm of torque that can be filled by 5 gallons of fuel per 100 km and emissions to 132 g / km. [source: autoblog.it]

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Sound Development for Audi e-tron

The acoustic sound of Audi e-tron variant is being worked by Audi Manufacturer. The sound development for Audi e-tron is inspired from sci-fi movie genre and Audi RSQ variant that features in Hollywood movie titled I, Robot. As we know, the electric vehicle that has been produced massively has caused new technical issue, where electric cars are usually silent until 25 km / h; this will carry impact along the street. So many carmakers have developed its solution, which is by making artificial sound for electric car.

Press Release.

The sonorous sound of a six-cylinder engine; the silky murmur of a V8: the sounds of combustion engines are a constant of road traffic that everyone can associate with a car. With electric cars all that is passé because they are virtually silent up to a speed of 25 km/h (15.53 mph). The risk to others is obvious. There is only one logical conclusion for the sound technicians at Audi: The electric car of the future needs its own sound – but which one?

“We speak of quiet cars when an electric car is driven at a speed between 0 – 25 km/h (15.53 mph),” explains Dr. Ralf Kunkel, Head of Acoustics at AUDI AG.

Up to this speed electric cars are virtually silent as they glide through the streets. Noise from the rolling of the tires and from the slipstream comes to the forefront above this speed, at which point an electric car is no longer significantly more quiet than a conventional vehicle.

The fact that this new form of transportation is particularly quiet is, of course, another factor of its success.

After all, environment-friendly automobiles should not only reduce emissions, but also noise pollution. However, speed without the typical road noises that serve as a signal harbors risks: The sense of hearing allows participants in traffic to monitor all 360 degrees of their surroundings, whereas the eyes only cover a limited angle. People with poorer vision or who are distracted can easily overlook a car.

Organizations for the blind worldwide therefore advocate giving quiet cars a unique sound; specifications or laws to this effect are already in place in the U.S.A. and Japan.

The sound technicians at Audi have long since taken up the task of protecting pedestrians in the electric mobility era.

“One way do this is by generating artificial noise in electric cars,” says Kunkel. The acousticians are currently hard at work on the sound design of the Audi e-tron. It is not just a matter of safety, but also a question of how the Audi of the future should sound.

“The obvious approach would be to work on the basis of the familiar sound of a combustion engine,” says Christian Schüller, Head of Brand Development/Corporate Identity.

“On the other hand, we want to underscore that an electric or hybrid Audi is an innovative product. We also want to make our Vorsprung durch Technik audible in the era of electric mobility.”

The rustling of leaves, the twittering of birds or shrill tones such as those used on snow cats are therefore not viable options.

However: “The sounds used for space ships in films are reminiscent of car sounds, yet are also very different, making this a rather interesting approach,” says Kunkel. An Audi will not sound like an airplane with jet engines or a space ship from a science fiction film any time soon, though. “But the sound will be new and unusual. The Audi RSQ from the Hollywood film I, Robot gives an indication of how an Audi might sound in the future.”

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Audi A8 The New Evolution Sedan

The new Audi A8 flagship is an evolution sedan variant of its predecessor which features more dynamic design and sculpted exterior. This Audi A8 is sold from 2010. The new Audi A8 is completed with numerous advanced technology aimed as driver assistant, innovative infotainment system and safety system as well. This Audi A8 also has increased dimension with the exterior is designed in clean and smooth accent in dynamic and muscular design.

Official Press Release:

Design

The outer skin of the new A8 conveys homogeneity, as if modeled from a full volume. A coupé-like roof line lets the silhouette flow; sculptured surfaces conveying calmness and prestige contrast with sharp lines. The new A8 underscores the leading position maintained by Audi in the field of automotive design. Representing the cutting edge in many innovative technologies, the A8 indicates this role through new and progressive design elements. 5137 mm (16.85 ft) in length, with a 2992 mm (9.82 ft) wheelbase, 1949 mm (6.39 ft) in width and 1460 mm (4.79 ft) in height – the new luxury sedan exceeds in length and width both its predecessor and its competitors. Its height, however, remains below that of its rivals in Germany – the proportions follow the dynamic line.

The single-frame radiator grille is framed by a chrome edge and presents a new design – sculptured, three- dimensional and rich in details. With angular upper corners, it is neatly integrated in the front section, while the prominent, horizontal chrome braces emphasize the vehicle width. The side view of the new Audi A8 also gives the image of concentrated and forward-thrusting power. Typically for the Audi line, the vehicle line makes up two-thirds of the height, with the remaining third falling to the greenhouse. From the single-frame grill Audi’s characteristic Tornado line runs as a light edge just beneath the window sill.

The line continues close above the wheel arches, giving the A8 a powerful appearance on the road. The surfaces below the tornado line interpret the interplay of light and shadow, of convexity and concavity, and are statement of seriousness and timeless elegance. Proceeding downwards, the surfaces are framed by the rising dynamic line running above the side sills. Large wheels – from 17 to 21 inches in diameter – fill the wheel arches pulled out wide. At the rear the separation edge gives an impression of sleekness, which further reinforces the impressively sculptured surfaces. A chrome strip underlines the width of the sedan, terminating in a diffuser.

Body Structure

As its predecessors, the new Audi A8 has an all-aluminium body mounted on an aluminum space frame. The structure, named Audi Space Frame (ASF) was first introduced in 1994 with the first generation Audi A8.

In the latest evolution, tThe aluminum panels – such as the roof panels and the side panels – are joined by friction connections. Depending on their tasks, the components of the ASF body fully differ in shape and cross-sectional area. For example, the A-pillar nodes of the new A8 – one of 25 castings in the body – interconnect the longitudinal member, the sill, the omega cross-member, the windshield crossmember, the roof frame and the suspension strut mount. The lateral roof frame, on the other hand, is formed by a single extruded section; its cross-section changes flexibly from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.

Audi has substantially increased the strength of the higher-strength body components in the new A8, thereby significantly reducing both material thickness and weight. One of the keys for this is a novel composite material for the aluminum panels. The use of this new, high-strength aluminum alloy alone enabled a weight saving of 6.5 kilograms (14.33 lb).

The static torsional stiffness has increased by 25 percent compared with the predecessor. In terms of lightweight quality — the relationship between weight, torsional stiffness and size — the body achieved an improvement of 20 percent.

Interior

The interior of the new Audi is wider, more airy and more spacious than its predecessor. Its salient element is the “wrap- around” – a circumferential curve forming an elegant beltline as on a yacht. The large curve integrates the sleek and low instrument panel. Its neat & tidy front is shaped like a gentle wave.

The large, round instruments are clearly delineated. The driver information system (DIS), which serves as a fully fledged information and control center, has a new layout. Its center display has increased to a 7-inch diagonal, showing all functions in an easily understandable concept. The center tunnel is wide and evenly inclined and contains the control panel for the automatic air conditioning and the terminal of the MMI control and multimedia system.

It forms a clearly organized touch & feel arrangement of three zones, one of which is reserved for audio. The driver’s wrist on the selector lever of the 8-speed tiptronic, asymmetrically located on the center tunnel, leaving the hand at ease to touch and turn switches. In standby mode, the monitor of the MMI system is recessed in the instrument panel. Switched on, it moves upwards in an elegant curve, nicely setting the scene for the system start. The large monitor with its 8-inch diagonal is extremely flat. Its display area is divided into three information zones, while the menu control system follows a further improved and intuitive logic. All topics are presented in elegant, three-dimensional graphics.

The large controls and buttons are optionally available with aluminum surfaces. Many switches gleam in high-gloss black, and all frequently used parts are covered by a new kind of top coat making them extremely scratch-resistant. The large decorative inlays each consist of two parts: the bottom elements come in standard highly polished black, the top ones in walnut brown, while the whole is accentuated by fine chrome strips.

Brushed aluminum and fine woods are optionally available from Audi. All components feature uncompromisingly precise workmanship and minimal gaps. Audi offers five basic colors for the interior, and three shades for the roof lining.  Customers can choose from two Audi design selections in special colors that integrate many luxurious equipment features. Audi also offers several leather packages, an Alcantara package and the extended aluminum look in the interior.

Lighting

The new headlights have xenon plus units and full LED headlights, a technology first introduced by Audi with the R8. The adaptive light system controls the swiveling modules while the new all-weather light integrated into the headlights replaces the fog lights. Their traditional location in the air intakes is now occupied by the radar sensors of the optional adaptive cruise control with stop & go function.

The continuous headlight range control, a further development of the high-beam assistant. A video camera mounted in front of the inside mirror recognizes other vehicles by their lights. A computer adapts the vehicle’s own light through a sliding range that guarantees the maximum possible illumination. The headlight control unit is connected with the navigation system, which analyzes the route ahead and relays the data to the light computer to activate highway lighting with its extended range while still on the ramp to the highway, for example.

Before entering an intersection, the system activates the cornering light, which provides wider-angle illumination and thus enhances safety. The full LED headlightsgive the sedan an unmistakable appearance both in daylight and at night. Their revolutionary optics mean a departure from the large, tubular light modules commonly used today.

The low beams comprise ten individual modules forming an arc situated below the wing-shaped chrome contour known as the “wing.” Just below this is another arc of 22 white and 22 yellow LEDs for the daytime running lights and the turn signals. Their thick wall technology makes them appear from the outside as homogenous, continuous strips of light.

Located above the wing are the high beams, whose light is generated by two powerful four-chip LEDs and a free surface reflector system. An assistant switches between the high and low beams, and additional high-power LEDs generate the highway light and cornering light. A separate fan and heat sink moderate the system’s temperature.

The full LED headlights offer a number of functional advantages in everyday situations. With a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin, their light resembles daylight and thus is much less tiring to the eyes. They also offer efficiency advantages. The low beams, for example, consume only 40 watts per unit, a bit less than the already highly efficient xenon plus headlights.

The tail lights also produce an appearance both three-dimensional and striking – and typically Audi. They, too, use LED technology with 72 light-emitting diodes per unit. Chip-on-board LEDs, which can be packed tightly together with high precision, are used in many areas due to the limited amount of space available.

The tail lights form a trapezoidal contour that appears as an even, homogenous strip. Its upper segment is a light guide – a plastic tube; the lower section is a reflective, textured free-form surface. It is thicker than the upper segment to optically lower the center of gravity of the A8?s back end. The turn signal is a horizontal line. The five-segment brake light is located inside the trapezoid.

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Audi Q3 SUV Car

This compact SUV design called Audi Q3 comes up with lightweight construction and featured by eco – efficient power train. This elegance SUV Audi Q3 was unveiled at 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. Among the materials for constructing Audi Q3 body is aluminum body panel (tailgate and engine hood) and hot shaped steel components. This Audi Q3 has entire weight less than 1,500 kg. The company design identity still accentuates the appearance of this new SUV variant. The exterior of this SUV has single – frame grille with tapered upper corner, the side is presented with tornado line. An exquisite headlight is shown at the front end completed with LED daytime running lighting.

Press Release:

Exterior Design

The Audi Q3 features a sporty and progressive design. The single-frame grille with its tapered upper corners dominates the front; its outline is extended by the dynamic curve of the engine hood. The wedge-shaped headlights are available as a xenon plus version including LED daytime running lights. Large air inlets hint at the potential of the engines. Viewed from the side, the Q3 similarly exhibits Audi’s classic design characteristics. The tornado line divides the side underneath the windows.

The dynamic line imparts additional flourishes near the side sills and the wheel arches have a muscular look. Metal constitutes two thirds of the vehicle’s exterior; the greenhouse the remaining third. The roof line slopes markedly toward the ground; the D-posts resemble those of a coupe.

Despite its coupe-like styling, the Audi Q3 is clearly recognizable as a member of the Q family. Its wraparound tailgate is similar in design to those on its larger siblings, the Q5 and Q7. In conjunction with the xenon plus headlights, LED light strips serve as tail lights. The exhaust system’s tailpipes terminate to the left and to the right.

The Audi Q3 is 4.39 meters in length (14.4 ft), 1.83 meters in width (6.0 ft), and 1.60 meters (5.25 ft) in height – roof rail included. Its drag coefficient of 0.32 raises the bar in this segment; moreover, its underbody fairing facilitates optimum airflow – underneath the vehicle, too.

In addition to the standard black add-on parts, customers can choose either a full paint finish or color-contrasting add-on parts in anthracite gray for the underbody guard and wheel arches. The Audi exclusive off-road styling package gives the Q3 a broad and powerful look. The S line exterior package, conversely, represents classic Audi and appeals to especially sporty customers. The passenger cell incorporates a great many tailored blanks as well as extremely strong hot-formed steel.

These components are quite thin, which reduces the vehicle’s weight. The tailgate and the engine hood of the Audi Q3 are made of aluminum. The front-wheel drive version of Audi’s latest model weighs less than 1,500 kilograms (3,307 lb).

Interior Design

Inside, a large wrap-around curve encapsulates the driver and the front-seat passenger – a feature familiar from the brand’s large model lines. The dashboard’s horizontal layout underscores its width. An optional color display (as large as seven inches diagonally) on the instrument panel is a first in the Q series. Five color concepts are available for the interior: black, gray, beige, and two shades of brown. With regard to upholstery, there are three fabric designs and three leather designs. For the inlays, there are four optional versions – including open-pored larch inlays and new silvery aluminum inlays with supplementary wire mesh and a 3D look.

Among the options are an on-board computer with efficiency program, an ambient lighting package with a LED lights, a panoramic glass roof, a storage package, sports seats, Adaptive light technology for the xenon plus headlights.The luggage compartment has a capacity that ranges from Its 460-liter (16.24 cu ft) to a volume of 1,365 liters (48.2 cu ft) with the split rear seat backrests folded

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Audi A3 E-tron Concept Car

The new Audi A3 e-tron was unveiled at the at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. This hybrid car concept can accommodate up to 4 passengers. Compared to its predecessor Audi A3, this hybrid sedan variant features some elements which are produced from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), includes for example front & rear spoiler, side view mirror, rear diffuser and grille frame, whereas the aluminum is used for conceiving other components such as engine hood, doors and tailgate. The total weight of this Audi A3 e-tron variant is influenced by lightweight material usage.

Official press release:

Exterior Design

The Audi A3 e-tron concept measures 4.44 meters (14.57 ft) long and 1.84 meters (6.04 ft) wide, but just 1.39 meters (4.56 ft) high.

The design features the typical Audi language with the signature single- frame grille that gives the front en a sculptured look.

Its frame is made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and the transversely mounted, three-dimensional aluminum louvers create a visual effect that emphasizes the car’s width.

The headlights merge with the beveled upper corners of the single-frame, forming a transition that marks the starting point of the prominently accentuated lines of the engine hood.

The headlights represent a new stage of evolution in LED technology: they become broader as they extend outward, and a line underneath makes them seem to float on air.

Above the front spoiler is a full-length air intake, also made of CFRP, framed by a metal clasp. The spoiler features a splitter that increases the downforce on the front wheels.

When viewed from the side, the A3 e-tron concept shows muscular surfaces and a low roof dome with fluid lines flowing into a flat, coupe-like C-pillar and the shoulder area transitioning into the tailgate.

Characteristic of Audi design, the greenhouse accounts for one-third of the height, while the sheet metal makes up the remaining two-thirds.

Powerfully flared fenders hint at the power of the engine. Two prominently elaborated lines accentuate the flank: the undercut tornado line beneath the window edge and the dynamic line above the sills.

The exterior mirrors, made of aluminum and CFRP, are perched atop the window-channel strips. The door handles with their brushed-aluminum clasps are recessed flush with the door. When the driver touches them, they power-extend.

The interplay between surfaces and lines also defines the tail end of the A3 e-tron concept.

The broad, flat tail lights are sculptured and culminate in a point on the inside, and the tailgate bears an elegant spoiler edge.

The rear apron includes a diffuser insert of CFRP and metal, which in turn surrounds the two large tailpipes for the exhaust system.

Ultra-modern components, design methods and joining techniques keep the body weight low. One example of this are the custom tailored blanks (panels of various thicknesses) in the floor area.

The doors, engine hood and tailgate are made of aluminum.

Interior

The interior of the showcar is generously proportioned thanks to the long wheelbase of 2.63 meters (8.63 ft) – which gives the two rear passengers on a large knee room.

The impression of lightness and airiness is underlined by the horizontal lines. The instrument panel draws the driver in – typical of Audi and has a large trim strip is made of solid aluminum that includes control functions.

The high-quality sound system in the doors and on the rear shelf has aluminum trim panels. When the audio system is turned on, they extend a few millimeters, thus orchestrating a visual accompaniment to the system’s excellent sound.

On the center console, four large, round air vents echoing a jet’s design catch the eye. The air flow is adjusted by pulling and pushing on the center axis of the vents. The control knobs for the automatic air conditioning system are located in the lower section of the center console on a boldly protruding, dedicated control panel. Visually, they are reminiscent of airplane turbines.

Behind the compact, flat-bottomed, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is an innovative display concept that renders the individual driving states of the hybrid drive clear-cut and tangible.

The tachometer on the instrument cluster has been replaced by a “power meter,” with a needle that indicates the total system output on a scale of 0 to 100 percent.

A second scale is divided into colored segments. At a glance, the green and orange segments clearly indicate where the A3 e-tron concept is drawing its power – from the electric motor, the combustion engine, or a combination of both. An additional instrument displays the charge level of the battery.

In between the two large round dials is the large, eight-inch display for the driver information system. This display and the large monitor of the MMI system show the operating states and power flows in the hybrid system in elegant graphics with a three-dimensional effect.

The MMI monitor also displays differentiated consumption and recuperation statistics in easily understandable bar graphs.

The control panel for the MMI multimedia system is located on the center tunnel console. The interface on its large rotary pushbutton features another novelty – the “MMI touch” touchpad. This new solution, which makes the already exemplary operation even more intuitive, will soon be introduced in series production at Audi. The ultra-thin MMI monitor power-extends upwards out of the instrument panel, another feature taken from the full-size car class.

The infotainment system offers an UMTS access to the Internet, a WLAN hotspot, and holders for iPads installed on the back of the front seat backrests. The luggage compartment has a volume of 410 liters (14.48 cubic ft) and a low loading lip.

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The Design Concept of Audi A7 Sportback

Audi A7 Sportback is a new line sedan from Audi which was unveiled at Paris Motor Show 2010. This new Audi A7 Sportback was conceived based on 2009 Sportback Concept which was exhibited at 2009 Detroit Motor Show. The front end of this new sedan is presented in hexagonal single frame grille completed with shaped headlight that features LED light that emit during daytime.  The arc-formed roofline and “tornado” line are visually suited by the ascending bottom line which rises up in the rear and transforms into a spoiler lip.

Official Press Release:
Exterior design

The Audi A7 Sportback is at once an elegant and an innovative Audi – a car with elegant, sporty proportions, a long hood and wheelbase, short overhangs and athletically curved outer contours. It marks the next step in the evolution of the design language of Audi, the leading brand for automotive design.

The Audi A7 Sportback exudes a powerful presence and attraction; it is a car whose design cries out to be touched and enjoyed. With its low, dynamically accentuated roof line and its balanced proportions, it looks like a coupe. The rear doors are perfectly integrated into the silhouette. The design is consistent and expresses the aesthetics of modern technology in every detail – in the precisely drawn lines, in the athletic curvature of the surfaces, in the engine compartment and even the wheels.

The large single-frame grille up front has six corners like that of Audi’s A8 flagship, making it appear even more dynamic. The slats of the grille are painted high-gloss black and adorned with chrome applications as an expression of quality. Its horizontal posture and the design of the wide and low air inlets emphasize the width of the Audi A7 Sportback.

As always with Audi, the headlights are small, technical works of art that illustrate the advantage that the brand has gained in lighting technology. Their flat contour that widens laterally shifts the optical focus outward. The lower edge is in the form of a wave, with the wing – a classic Audi feature – structuring the interior.

The Audi A7 Sportback comes standard with xenon headlights with integrated all-weather lights. Optionally available here is the Audi adaptive light system, which always offers the appropriate lighting, whether driving in the city, when turning, on inter-urban roads or on the highway. It includes continuous headlight range control, which detects other vehicles and adjusts the car’s own light with smooth transitions.

Audi offers optional all-LED headlights, a major Audi innovation that premiered in the R8 and the A8. Their white light resembles daylight and is extremely energy-efficient. The zero-maintenance LED headlights generate unmistakable graphics, day or night.

Three modules comprising high-performance light-emitting diodes, mounted in separate chambers, generate the low beams. Other light functions include the high beams, the cornering light, the all-weather light and the highway light. The daytime running lights comprising 18 LEDs appears to be a continuous band at the lower edge of the headlights, below which are the turn signals comprising eleven LEDs. The high-beam assistant, which switches between the high and low beams, is a complementary technology.
Dynamic wave: the side view

The side view of the Audi A7 Sportback is a powerfully drawn line. The roof arch is a flat dome; the C-pillar stretches endlessly to the rear and flows into the shoulder of the body. Integrated into the pillar is a third side window with an upward pointing tip – a small homage to the Audi 100 Coupé S from 1969. The ratio of painted body surfaces to the frameless windows is two-thirds to one-third in the side view, which is also typical for Audi.

The sharp tornado line, the most important design element of the Audi A7 Sportback, extends over the entire side. It gives the body strong shoulders, like those of an athletic swimmer. The tornado line starts at the headlights and extends along the fenders, the doors and the rear side walls to the tail lights. Located above the side sills is the dynamic line.

The large wheel wells housing wheels between 18 and 20 inches in diameter are also typical for Audi. They underscore the powerful character of the vehicle and offer opportunities for customizing the car’s outward appearance. Like with a sports car, the dynamically styled exterior mirrors are mounted on the doors – another sporty detail. The agile and sinewy impression of the Audi A7 Sportback is the result of many subtle solutions. The third side window, for example, lightens the rear section of the flanks visually.

The line of dynamic elegance encircles a rear end that uses a slight negative indentation to form a distinctive spoiler lip. The luggage compartment hatch is equipped with a spoiler that automatically extends at 130 km/h (80.78 mph) and retracts again at 80 km/h (49.71 mph). The diffuser insert is painted in the body color and frames the two large, chromed tailpipes of the exhaust system, thus also emphasizing the car’s width.

All surfaces at the rear of the car are vividly modeled; the tips of the divided tail lights point inwards. With the exception of the reversing light, the tail lights are realized entirely with LED technology standard. They have been machined in three dimensions and accentuate the sculptural character of the Audi A7. The tail lights appear to be a homogenous band that forms a broad, U-shaped arc. The brake lights, which are in the form of a helix, are located inside the arch, above which the turn signal extends as a straight line.

Audi offers eleven elegant paint finishes for the Audi A7 Sportback. The two solid colors are called Ibis White and Brilliant Black. The six metallic colors are Ice Silver, Quartz Gray, Oolong Gray, Moonlight Blue, Havanna Black and Dakota Gray. Rounding out the palette are the three pearl-effect finishes Phantom Black, Garnet Red and Impala Beige.
Fast track: from concept car to production

Audi announced the Audi A7 Sportback at the 2009 North American International Automobile Show in Detroit with the Audi Sportback concept show car. The differences between it and the production model were slight, lying primarily in the area of the headlights, the single-frame grille, the air inlets, the exterior mirrors and the rear end. Almost all of the new ideas in the interior also made it into the production model.

Audi frequently has show cars go into production nearly unchanged. This process expresses one of the brand’s particular strengths, demonstrating how deeply the Board of Management and all areas of the company support the visions of the designers. Design is much more than styling at Audi; it is a reflection of the highly developed technology.

Back in 1993, a luxury sedan in shining silver called the ASF enthralled the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The show car with its unpainted body of polished aluminum was the precursor to the A8. Two years later Audi provided the first glimpse of the TT, likewise at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And in 1997, the Al2 show car stood at the same location as a preview of the A2.

In 2003, two spectacular show cars heralded the move into new vehicle classes. In January Audi presented the Pikes Peak quattro in Detroit. The big, sporty SUV was the precursor to the Q7. In September, the Audi Le Mans quattro became the star of the Frankfurt Motor Show. It was the spitting image of the R8 which came later.

At the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2007, the brand presented the Audi Cross Coupé quattro, which went into production as the Q5 a short time later. There was even a forerunner of the compact Audi A1, which is just now coming to market: The Audi A1 project quattro, a hybrid-drive city car, debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
Body

The Audi A7 Sportback is 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) long and has a wheelbase of 2.91 meters (9.55 ft). 1.91 meters (6.27 ft) wide, it is only 1.42 meters (4.66 ft) tall – these proportions allude to the dynamic lines. The cD value is 0.28; the front surface area measures 2.29 m² (24.65 sq ft). The clean flow of the slipstream – including along the underbody and as it flows through the engine compartment – was an important objective in the requirement specification.

The noise level on board the five-door coupe is extremely low thanks to the painstaking fine-tuning of the aeroacoustics, which also includes the glazings. Even the standard version does a very good job of attenuating outside noise. Audi offers optional glazings that integrate a special film with acoustic properties for an added degree of comfort, particularly on long highway journeys.

Long-distance comfort and a sporty character are not contradictory at Audi, and this also applies to the acoustics of the Audi A7 Sportback. Longer drives really let the five-door coupe show off its luxury-class ride: low noise, low vibrations and perfect vibrational comfort. The powerful engines round out the experience with a cultivated sound.

The excellent acoustics are the combined result of high-end materials and new construction methods. Modern microfiber non-wovens, an underbody liner and wheel well linings all play a part here.

The high level of vibrational comfort is another strength of the Audi A7 Sportback. Hydraulic damping elements are used consistently for the axles and the subframes, and hydraulically damped bearings are used for the engines. The engineers tuned these elements using advanced simulation methods and Audi’s comfort test bench – a development tool not found anywhere else in the world.

The body of the Audi A7 Sportback also sets standards with its low weight. The steel/aluminum mixed-construction body is roughly 15 percent lighter than a comparable all-steel body, placing it at the head of its class. Take for example the 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) and the multitronic transmission. Minus the driver, the entire car in the base version weighs just 1,695 kilograms (3,737 lb). The low weight is the result of the brand’s pioneering lightweight construction technology that intelligently combines a variety of materials.

More than 20 percent of the body is made of lightweight aluminum, a material with which Audi has experience that no other manufacturer can match. The strut mounts in the front of the car are aluminum castings; the strut brace and cross-members behind the front and rear bumpers are aluminum sections. All add-on parts, such as the front side walls, the hood, the rear hatch and the doors, but also the bulkhead and the cross-member in the luggage compartment, are made of aluminum panels.

High-end steels of various strength classes make up a large portion of the body. Most commonly used are the hot-shaped steels, which are used in some zones of the passenger cell and at its transition to the front end of the car. They are heated in a pass-through furnace to nearly 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit) and shaped immediately thereafter in water-cooled pressing dies. Audi also uses tailored blanks in many areas. These are panels of various thicknesses that are thicker and stronger in areas subjected to higher loads.

The body of the Audi A7 Sportback combines low weight with high rigidity and supreme strength. It thus provides the basis for the sportily precise handling, the high crash safety and the supreme vibrational comfort on board – for the typical Audi ride, in other words.
Interior design

Air and light, sleek shapes and bright colors: The interior of the Audi A7 Sportback is an emotional space full of lightness and expanse. Its lines take up the powerful, sinewy sportiness of the exterior to demonstrate Audi’s status as the leading brand for vehicle design.

The salient element is the “wrap-around” – a horizontal line encircling the entire cabin. It extends in a curve from the driver-side door sill across the instrument panel to the passenger-side door sill. The wrap-around embeds the driver and front-seat passenger into the interior. The exterior and interior form a harmonious design element. The frame of the door opener invokes the shape of the rear side window from the exterior.

The large arch integrates a low and slender instrument panel that slopes slightly downward toward the passengers. The application strip with its integrative dynamics is the salient element of the dashboard. Its face forms a wave oriented toward the driver, and even the dividing line between the upper and the lower segments is in the shape of an S. The center air vents follow this line and are shaped like a wing.

Audi’s legendary attention to detail characterizes the entire interior of the Audi A7 Sportback, just as it does in the A8 luxury sedan. Materials are chosen with the utmost care; the uncompromising workmanship is on a craftsman’s level.

The strongly driver-oriented cockpit comprises the instrument cluster, the air vents and the control elements. The aluminum finish highlights the rotary knobs. Both the shift gate and the start-stop button feature subtle red backlighting.

Audi will immediately be offering a wide range of upholsteries and decorative elements, including Milano and Valcona fine leathers, a leather/Alcantara combination and a leather package for the center console, the armrests in the doors and the door pull handles.

Audi offers inlays in a choice of two aluminum applications and two types of wood: natural brown fine grain ash and dark brown walnut. A veneer of layered oak will be available later. Audi has made significant advances in the technique of cutting veneers from a single block and uses painstakingly prepared and treated oak.
Controls and interior

The Audi A7 Sportback offers a full range of functions, yet its controls are simple and intuitive. The large, clearly marked dial instruments with their red needles and the display of the driver information system (DIS) are located under a flat cowl. They appear three-dimensional and extremely precise.

The optional driver information display – either 5 or 7 inches and white or in color depending on the version – bundles a lot of important information and settings in a logical menu structure and is controlled using the leather multifunction steering wheel. Another standard feature is the on-board computer with efficiency program. It provides tips for efficient shifting, includes a gear-change indicator and shows how individual systems affect fuel consumption.

The central on-board monitor, the standard version of which measures 6.5 inches and has a high-gloss black frame, is recessed into the center of the dashboard. It extends electrically upward in an elegant motion when the ignition is switched on. The instrument panel, which is inclined toward the driver, contains the control unit for the highly efficient deluxe air conditioning system and secondary switches for direct access to the most important functions. All other functions are offloaded to the MMI (Multimedia Interface) operating system located on the wide, asymmetrical tunnel, which forms a separate component with no connection to the center console.

The operating logic of the MMI is exemplary. The hard keys are used to jump directly to the main menus; the soft keys and the central rotary pushbutton are used to navigate within them.

The driver can jump to the menu overview at any time using a central menu button. The central rotary pushbutton is used to select the desired menus and functions. The main functions of the audio system make up one logical unit and are consolidated in the main control element. The electromechanical parking brake leaves a lot of room on the center tunnel for a comfortable, steplessly height-adjustable center armrest, a telephone and a large storage compartment.
New: the head-up display

Audi offers a new high-end feature as an option in the Audi A7 Sportback – a head-up display. It projects the most important data onto the windshield as symbols and digits that appear to float at a distance of roughly 2.5 meters (8.2 ft). The driver assimilates this information extremely quickly because his or her eyes, accustomed to distance vision while driving, do not have to adjust. The driver can use the MMI to determine which information the head-up display should show, such as speed, the navigation arrows or the indications from the assistance systems.

The Audi A7 Sportback is designed as a four-seater. Its front seats are mounted sportily low. Ten-way seats are standard. Options include power adjustment, a memory function and seat heating.

The deluxe seats offer 20-way power and pneumatic adjustments. These are available with ventilation using a novel and particular effective suction technology and a function in which ten air chambers massage the back according to one of five programs. Customers with sporty tastes can choose the sport seats with their prominent side bolsters and 14-way adjustment.

In the back of the Audi A7 Sportback are two comfortable individual seats. The long wheelbase provides for generous amounts of space. Even large persons enjoy ample headroom and easy entry. Spacious and practical storage is available at all of the seats.

The Audi A7 Sportback is a versatile car for active people. Its long rear hatch that extends far up into the roof covers a large luggage compartment lined with fine carpeting. Its low loading lip helps make it convenient to use. Standard capacity is 535 liters (18.89 cubic ft), which increases to 1,390 liters (49.09 cubic ft) by folding down the split rear seat backs, which is a matter of a few easy steps.

The rear hatch comes standard with an electric drive unit. It opens high, and the opening angle can be programmed using the buttons on the inside of the hatch. The split cover is never in the way while loading the luggage compartment. Its short segment is connected to the body, the long segment to the hatch. Audi offers an optional load-through hatch with a ski sack and a reversible mat. With the trailer hitch, the Audi A7 Sportback can tow up to 2,100 kilograms (4,630 lb).

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