Later today, Audi will introduce its new concept, the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In advance of the debut, the German automaker has sent WorldCarFans a bundle of photos and video, as well as details about the first mover in this "new vehicle segment."
Looking quite a bit like an elongated A1 convertible, Audi claims the Cross Cabriolet is an attempted merge of a rag-top convertible and a full-size SUV. At 182 inches this concept is a full two-and-a-half feet longer than the Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro concept from Tokyo, but it is also eight inches longer than a four-door Jeep Wrangler. At least it is six inches shorter than a Ford Mustang. The concept is also 75.2 inches wide, similar to the Mercedes M-Class.
Don't get too excited about an A1 convertible just yet though. The Cross Cabriolet is actually based on the chassis and drivetrain structure of the A4 and the A5. The car's height of 64.2 inches is almost five inches taller than the A4 convertible, making it more like an Audi Q5 Cabriolet.
A 3.0 liter, 240 horsepower TDI engine with 369 ft-lb of torque gives this new breed of crossover its muscle, while the quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system gives it some all-terrain capabilities. 21-inch wheels are found on this concept, which also comes with electric ride height adjustment to make sure most drivers can comfortably maneuver this car on uncomfortable roads.
Even with that nice engine, the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro gets an average of over 32 mpg on diesel. That impressive figure coincides with Audi's impressive emissions reduction system, that would make this car compliant with very strict EU regulations being put in place within seven years.
Inside, the "White Stone Leather" gives the crossover a classy feel. Almost immediately we noticed Audi's use of Google Earth inside the car. Audi has combined Google Earth with its own navigation system to provide the driver with a wealth of information about where he is, where he is going, and where he will be able to grab a bite to eat.
Outside, the "Copper Sunset" color looks good on this concept in pictures, but it does seem like more of a concept car color than something we would really like to have on a car. Something that matches the aluminum A-pillar and dark-toned fabric top may be nicer in a real-world setting. The all-LED exterior lighting (headlights, taillights, turn signals, etc.) is a nice touch. Underbody guard and metal running boards should help this vehicle travel across sand, gravel, or rock.
There are some limitations to this car entering production. Although it does roof which completely retracts and hides from view in 17 seconds, the Cross Cabriolet quattro has no roll bar, making it somewhat less likely to be used as a true off-roader. But, as the press release points out, "when cruising along the beachfront ... all four occupants can enjoy the open-air experience to the full."
Frank de Leeuw van Weenen contributed to this report.
Audi is introducing a new vehicle segment with its presentation of the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show (14 – 24 November 2007). The two-door, four-seater car measures 4.62 metres in length and combines the genes of a typical dynamic soft-top convertible from Audi with the all-round qualities of a fully fledged SUV. The muscular, powerful, but also elegant lines make no secret of this vehicle's potential. The 240 bhp three-litre TDI engine with ultra-low emission technology delivers sporty driving dynamics with exhaust emissions on the level of the EU 6 limits. The quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system and high-tech chassis with electric ride height adjustment are a recipe for driving pleasure on all terrain and in any curve radius.
Open for any adventure
Audi is introducing a new vehicle segment with its presentation of the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show (14 – 24 November 2007). The two-door, four-seater car measures 4.62 metres in length and combines the genes of a typical dynamic soft-top convertible from Audi with the all-round qualities of a fully fledged SUV. The muscular, powerful, but also elegant lines make no secret of this vehicle's potential. The 240 bhp three-litre TDI engine with ultra-low emission technology delivers sporty driving dynamics with exhaust emissions on the level of the EU 6 limits. The quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system and high-tech chassis with electric ride height adjustment are a recipe for driving pleasure on all terrain and in any curve radius.
The Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro offers a new dimension in open-top driving among the SUV field: its fabric hood lowers itself to disappear completely behind the rear seats in a spectacularly brief 17 seconds; no B-pillar and no roll-over bar obscure the view of the heavens. And for convertible fans, it offers a new dimension in spaciousness: as an SUV, the Cross Cabriolet quattro provides its occupants with copious headroom, legroom and shoulder width in addition to an off-roader's typical height and comfortable sitting position. So when cruising along the beachfront, for instance, all four occupants can enjoy the open-air experience to the full.
The longitudinally mounted six-cylinder TDI in the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro is the brand's latest diesel engine. With a power output of 240 bhp and 500 Nm of torque, at this stage in its evolution the 3.0 TDI is now more efficient than ever – its average fuel consumption is a mere 7.3 litres of diesel per 100 km. The engine is also equipped with what is currently the most elaborate emissions reduction system developed for a production engine: the ultra-low emission system.
This does more than just ensure that the vehicle complies with all current exhaust emissions standards worldwide. It already meets the expected limits of the EU 6 standard, which is only due to be introduced in 2014 – and does so with quattro permanent four-wheel drive and tiptronic transmission.
It does seem to have adopted the same design language of the metroproject quattro (a1 concept), but I gotta agree with iseenitall the grille really needs some work, but it will be interesting to see how the market for the SUV cabrio will react.
audi sales continue to grow worldwide. American car companies continue to lose billions. Mercedes-Benz owned an american car company and dumped them becasue of how much money they lost.
bluemagic... silversedanman? Well, I like the grill here most, very elegant, but I doubt there is a market for a huge cross-cabriolet. The lights are not good this time.
