The Audi Nanuk quattro concept has been unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show, revealing a diesel-powered crossover supercar with the brand’s first four-wheel steering system.
Despite admitting “collaboration” with designers from Italdesign Giugiaro, who displayed the near-identical-looking Parcour concept at the Geneva motor show in March this year, Audi says the Nanuk quattro is an “innovative” design concept that combines the dynamics of a high-performance sports car with the versatility of a sporty recreational vehicle.
Again mirroring the Parcour concept, the Audi Nanuk quattro concept employs a V10 engine to power all four wheels. In a twist, however, the Audi uses a 400kW/1000Nm twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre diesel unit to reach 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds rather than the 410kW/540Nm 5.2-litre petrol Lamborghini Gallarado engine the Parcour used to reach triple figures in 3.6 seconds.
Tied to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission, Audi claims the 1900kg two-seater will hit a top speed of 305km/h while being able to deliver 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres average fuel consumption. Both performance and efficiency are helped by the Nanuk quattro’s lightweight aluminium space frame body structure and carbonfibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) outer skin.
Sitting on height-adjustable adaptive air suspension that can lower the car by 30mm or raise it 40mm from an unspecified “normal” height, the concept also premieres the German manufacturer’s first all-wheel steering system.
Dubbed ‘integral steering’, the system, similar to that used on the new Porsche 911, combines Audi’s existing front axle dynamic steering with supplemental steering inputs from the rear wheels.
Relying on actuators that govern two active track rods, the rear wheels can turn up to 2.5 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels when traveling at speed and up to nine degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels at low speeds. The flexibility is aimed at reducing the car’s turning circle yet increasing stability and agility.
Measuring 4541mm long, 1990mm wide and 1337mm high, the Nanuk quattro concept is 110mm longer, 86mm wider and 85mm taller than an Audi R8. It also scores 22-inch wheels and carbonfibre-ceramic brake discs.
Additional features include, Audi’s new Matrix LED lighting technology, front-hinged scissor doors, wing-shaped cameras in place of conventional exterior mirrors, a mobile phone inductive charging box and a digital instrument cluster.
Audi is yet to announce any future production plans for the sports crossover concept.
