WORLD DEBUT OF AUDI CROSS CABRIOLET QUATTRO: THE SUV WITH ADDED UVA AND UVB
New Audi all-terrain suntrap study with world’s cleanest diesel engine wows L.A Auto Show crowds
- Latest in a long line of Audi design studies, many of which have entered series production virtually unchanged
- Combines four-seat cabriolet body incorporating powered full length soft top with rugged chassis featuring electric ride height adjustment and latest generation quattro four-wheel-drive with 40:60 front:rear torque split
- 4,620mm in length (A5 4,625mm), 1,910mm wide (A5 1,854mm), 1,630mm high (A5 1,372mm), wheelbase 2,810mm (A5 2,751mm)
- Features world’s cleanest diesel engine – new longitudinally mounted version of 3.0-litre V6 TDI with 240PS and 500Nm incorporates ultra low emission system that permits compliance with tough U.S emissions regulations
- 0-62mph 7.2 seconds, top speed 149mph, 38.6mpg combined
- Adaptive Audi drive select system with integrated ‘efficiency’ mode that reduces fuel usage by around 20 per cent
- Internet-based satellite navigation using Google Earth functionality, internet radio facility
Sun-drenched Los Angeles and snow-carpeted alpine Bavaria provide the inspiration for the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro concept car, which makes its debut on Press Day at the 2007 L.A Auto Show (November 16-25, 2007). Powered by the world’s cleanest diesel engine, and combining the sun worshipping potential of a classic cabriolet with the mountain-scaling agility of a quattro-equipped ‘off-roader’, the Cross Cabriolet quattro could form the basis of a future SUV model from Audi.
Deriving its fundamental chassis and drivetrain architecture from the modules used by the A5 coupe and new A4 saloon, and covering a similar ‘footprint’ on the road, the 4.62-metre long Cross Cabriolet quattro is powered by an even more efficient version of the 3.0-litre, 240PS V6 TDI engine incorporating a new ultra low emission system. Mounted longitudinally, the world’s cleanest diesel unit combines the benefits of state-of-the-art common rail injection with piezo crystal technology, exhaust gas recirculation and an exhaust after-treatment system. Using a special AdBlue additive, this new system reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 per cent.
Clean bill of health – even in California
The result is an engine which will satisfy stringent emissions limits all over the world, even in especially rigorously controlled U.S states such as California, New York and Vermont, and which will share its technology with other units in the range from 2008 onwards. This initiative will help Audi to meet its pledge to effect a 20 per cent reduction in C02 emissions across its fleet by 2012.
As the Cross Cabriolet quattro ably demonstrates, the ultra low emission technology demands no sacrifices in performance. Through an eight-speed automatic transmission with a new lever design incorporating a gear selector ‘control wheel’, the SUV study translates 240PS and a healthy 500Nm of torque into a 0-62mph acceleration time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 149mph, without ruling out the potential to cover over 38mpg.
When cruising the strip, the Cross Cabriolet quattro ensures that the drinks in its heatable and coolable cup holders remain as unshaken as possible through the use of Continuous Damping Control variable shock absorbers first seen in the Q7 SUV, complementing ultra-modern five-link front and transverse link rear suspension similar to the set-up in the A4 and A5.
The Audi drive select adaptive technology that has just become available in the new A4 enables the driver of the Cross Cabriolet quattro to adjust shock absorber settings to suit the prevailing road conditions at the touch of a button, or to leave the system to adapt automatically. Under braking and in fast corners, it has a firming influence, enhancing the performance of the sports chassis which, like the configuration in the A4 and A5, is more finely balanced than ever thanks to an elongated wheelbase achieved by repositioning the front axle 154mm further forwards.
In the Cross Cabriolet quattro, the Audi drive select system automatically defaults to the ‘dynamic’ mode, which places equal emphasis on handling composure and comfort. When the ‘sport’ mode is selected, a more overtly performance and handling-biased program comes into play, with shock absorbers set to maximum firmness, throttle response further sharpened and transmission shift points moved higher up the rev range.
By contrast, the ‘efficiency’ setting majors on smooth, economical progress that brings fuel savings of well over 20 per cent compared with ‘dynamic’ mode. Here, the engine and transmission responses are moderated, the air conditioning system is automatically switched off and the parameters of the adaptive cruise control system are adjusted in favour of minimal fuel consumption. Route information gathered from the system is taken into account in determining braking distances.