Audi Pikes Peak quattro concept
by Nick Hull

Audi unveiled the 'Pikes Peak' quattro four-wheel drive concept vehicle. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race is very much part of the successful history of Audi Motorsport, being won 3 times in 1985-87 in the Audi Sport Quattro S1.

The Audi Pikes Peak quattro is a crossover four-door 4+2-seat hatchback combining the dynamism and comfort of a luxury sport sedan, the off-road competence of an SUV plus the innovative 3-row seating concept as used in luxury vans.

The design features some typical Audi cues such as the side window DLO but offers many new elements for Audi design including a new nose and tail treatment, a sharp undercut crease line running from headlamps to taillamp and a complimentary rising sill line to link up with the rear bumper. The big, rounded nose of the car is capped by a new divided grille design with vertical perforated fins flanked by ‘technical’ Xenon Plus headlamps. The wheelarches are flared and are delineated by matte painted lips.

At the rear, the tailgate extends into the rear fenders and, as the tailgate rises completely with the main taillamps, features a second set of marker lamps once opened.

Inside, all the centrally located controls have polished aluminum surrounds and clear-glass covers. The front center console is arranged like a bridge from the fascia to the rear end of the front seats. Between the individual second-row seats there is a retractable center console containing controls for the infotainment electronics, a cold-store compartment, shelf space and cup holders. The beige and turquoise interior is finished in nappa leather.

Power comes from a 500 hp 4.2L V8 engine with twin turbochargers and FSI direct gasoline injection.

Also making it's debut at the Detroit show was the LWB Audi A8 with 5 inch longer wheelbase and 4.2L V8 engine.

Page 3 of 21