Go to Ultimatecarpage.com

  Ultimatecarpage.com  > Cars by brand  > Germany  > Audi
Prologue Show Car
Car search:
Quick Advanced 


  Audi Prologue Show Car      

  Article Image gallery (11) Specifications User Comments (1)  
Click here to open the Audi Prologue Show Car gallery   
Country of origin:Germany
Produced in:2014
Introduced at:2014 Los Angeles Auto Show
Source:Company press release
Last updated:November 19, 2014
Download: All images
<< Prev Page 2 of 2
Click here to download printer friendly versionThe spacious interior of the Audi prologue is like a luxurious lounge. It is based on Gran Turismo design, and it enables both very sporty driving and relaxed touring. The interface visually adapts to the specific driving style. The interior marks the beginning of a new design era at Audi, in which the architecture merges with the operating concept to form one unit. The surfaces for displays and controls are innovatively integrated into the instrument panel and console of the center tunnel, and the infotainment system brings driver and passenger into dialog with one another.

When entering the vehicle, the four-seat coupe receives its passengers with polite hospitality. The "butler" - an innovative intelligent software program - identifies them based on their smartphones and adjusts the seats and climate control system according to their preferences. The system also makes recommendations for music and route planning that are oriented towards the owner's preferences. The Easy Slot system, an advanced development of the Audi phone box, is located under lids in the center console. A special mechanism networks the smartphones of passengers to the vehicle infotainment system and charges them.

Tautly stretched lines and lean geometric forms give the interior a light and clear ambience. The instrument panel has a light and elegant appearance with its strictly horizontal layout that is not interrupted anywhere, and it emphasizes the generous interior width. It lowers itself towards the interior on two levels. The upper level is positioned, like a roof, above the Audi virtual cockpit future - an advanced development of the Audi virtual cockpit - and above the line of air vents. It is part of the wrap-around - a large arc that encircles the driver and front passenger.

A second wrap-around joins the front and rear sections of the interior and is already quite visible from the exterior. The center console with its pass-through also appears to hover, as do the front seats, whose rails are mounted on the tunnel and side sills. The head restraints of the two rear bucket seats are lowered when not in use; they automatically extend when a passenger enters the rear seating area with the electric easy entry function.

When the sound system is activated, a new type of sound spoiler extends from the rear shelf; it optimally produces a premium sound in the car that is typical of Audi.

A radically new type of display and operating concept is embedded in the elegant architecture. Across its full width, the front of the instrument panel is designed to be a display surface which integrates three touch displays. The driver-oriented display to the left of the steering wheel is used to control functions for lighting and assistance systems. The driver-oriented operating unit to the right contains media controls. The front passenger faces a widescreen display that is integrated into the full surface of the instrument panel; it is used to individually and conveniently control entertainment features.

The new type of front passenger display enables digital interaction between the driver and front passenger for the first time. A wiping movement by the passenger is all it takes to send pre-configured routes to the driver's display and input them into the Audi virtual cockpit future.

On the console of the center tunnel, there is a fourth flexible touch display that is ergonomically adapted to the driver; it is used for climate control, handwriting input and other vehicle settings. This display consists primarily of an extremely thin, bendable OLED film (OLED: organic light emitting diodes), and it displays extremely sharp images that are rich in contrast. When not in use, the OLED display is integrated flush to the center console and is nearly invisible. When the car is started, the flexible display stands up. The fact that it bends ensures a constant distance to the hand which makes for better ergonomics. When operating the display, the wrist rests on the low-positioned gear selector lever of the eight-speed tiptronic.

Designers have also redesigned the shift-by-wire lever. It is now integrated seamlessly into the center console. Cupholders and smartphone slots are installed under lids on the center console, to the left and right of the console support element.

The Audi virtual cockpit future offers a glimpse into the future of the digital cockpit: High-resolution displays and three mirrors generate a virtual stage on three levels - a fascinating view with visual depth. In the navigation view, the first level presents information that is important for driving; levels two and three generate the depth effect in the cockpit. Structuring the information on different levels makes it better organized and easier for the driver to comprehend. The content and colors of the Audi virtual cockpit future change as a function of driving style - in sporty driving, the display switches over to Sport mode with special presentation of the relevant information such as engine rpm, temperatures and charge pressure.

Inside the Audi prologue, every detail clearly illustrates its exclusive character. A finely crafted perforated panel covers the air vents. If the driver sets the blower to a higher stage, the panel retracts downwards.

White LED light conductors trace the distinctive lines of the interior, starting at the doors. A large aluminum brace forms the steering wheel spokes; it harmonizes with the bars on the displays and the door pull handles. All aluminum accents show perfection in craftsmanship: Their surfaces have matt finishes, and the edges are polished - a fine interplay of gloss levels.

For Audi designers from the Color & Trim area, natural materials are the new luxury; all of the materials in the show car fascinate with their authenticity. The surfaces of the seats and seat backs, the dashboard, the console on the center tunnel and the armrests are covered in light-colored "passion" leather - a new soft grade of leather that emphasizes the natural characteristics of the animal hide.

Soft nubuck leather, also in a light color, covers the backs of the seats and the side panel trim of the rear seating area. On the instrument panel, the gray-brown trim of the lower section provides another strong accent. The wrap-around is upholstered in dark "passion" leather; here, and in many other areas, aluminum trim strips contrast with panels of open-grained silver-gray elm wood veneer.

The technology of the Audi prologue is as sophisticated as its interior is emotion-evoking. The 4.0 TFSI, which is installed in the engine compartment like a technical masterpiece, produces 445 kW (605 hp) and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque; in overboost mode, which the driver can call up for around 15 seconds, a boosted torque of 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft) is available. The sonorous biturbo V8 accelerates the two-door coupe, which has an unladen weight of 1,980 kilograms (4,365.2 lb) from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.7 seconds.

The show car's combined fuel consumption is just 8.6 liters per 100 kilometers (27.4 US mpg), which equates to CO2 emissions of 199 grams per kilometer (320.3 g/mile). One contributor to this high efficiency is a new 48-volt subsystem of the vehicle electrical system - this is a technology that will soon be introduced to production cars at Audi. The 48-volt system is supplied by a powerful belt starter generator, which turns the powertrain into a mild hybrid and has an energy recovery output of up to 12 kW during braking. An eight-speed tiptronic directs engine power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which works closely with torque vectoring.

In the chassis, the adaptive air suspension sport - an air suspension with controlled damping - offers a large adjustment range between smooth rolling and very tight handling; it also varies the show car's ground clearance over several levels. The front and rear suspensions are engineered as lightweight five-link designs. The large carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs decelerate the show car powerfully. On the 20-inch front brakes, they are gripped by six-piston fixed calipers.

A technology highlight of the Audi prologue is its dynamic all-wheel steering - it boosts driving dynamics and ride comfort by an intelligent combination of dynamic and all-wheel steering. The driver therefore can enjoy an automobile with extremely good handling. In the lower speed range, this is made evident by better agility and turning ability. In the higher speed range, developers improved the car's responsiveness which leads to greater vehicle stability.

Overall, dynamic all-wheel steering - with rear wheel steering angles of up to five degrees - makes it easy to maneuver when parking and offers precise and sporty steering on country roads and impressively comfortable steering on freeways.

<< Prev Page 2 of 2

  Article Image gallery (11) Specifications User Comments (1)