Company sources from Audi have announced they are all set to start with the limited production of a new Quattro Coupe model. Towards this a prototype has been built that is based on the S5 model. To get the official go ahead the sample would be tested by Audi board members.
The launch date appears to be 2013 for this model given the present progress stages. A 402 HP engine will go on to power the Quattro with power being delivered to all the four wheels. The chassis would be of aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced plastic would be used extensively in the construction of the car’s body.
In celebration of 30 years of existence of the quattro-driven Audis, the Quattro concept model had been displayed at the last year’s edition of the Paris Auto Show with journalists having being provided the chance to test drive a working mock of the concept last winter.
A fully engineered version of the Quattro GmbH has been built now by company engineers and this takes the car quite close to its final production stages. The prototype though has been built around an aluminum chassis and the body panels are also of aluminum. Carbon reinforced plastic has been used only in the bonnet and bootlid.
The advanced light weight construction methods has certainly helped the car shed some serious kilos. Something borne out by the fact that the car has turned out to be lighter than the RS5 by a whooping 300 kilos, as claimed by Audi. This in spite of the fact that the drive train and running gear is the same in both the cars.
The final production car is expected to be even lighter by weight as well as lower by 150 mm due to wheelbase reduction. The seats would be made up of forged composites and hemp is to be used for the dashboard moldings.
The total weight maybe 1300 kilos and that means a good 225 kilos lesser in weight than the R8 sports car.
Source: autocar
