Audi nanuk quattro concept – the versatile supercar

Audi nanuk quattro concept

This is no ordinary sports car. A Frankfurt debutant, the Audi nanuk quattro concept is an all-wheel drive supercar crossover study that showcases all of Audi’s expertise on the road and track, and off it. It’s the go-anywhere supercar – fast, stylish, efficient, and not limited to where the tarmac ends.

To come up with the design, Audi collaborated with Italdesign Giugiaro, maker of the similarly-envisioned Italdesign Parcour Concept shown in Geneva earlier this year. Audi claims the nanuk quattro crossover concept combines the dynamics of a mid-engine sports car with the versatility of a sporty recreational vehicle.

Power comes from a mid-mounted 5.0 litre V10 TDI unit that makes 544 hp of power and 1,000 Nm of torque, the later delivered from just 1,500 rpm. The twin-turbo diesel engine has the Audi valvelift system (AVS) equipped, and operates with injection pressure of 2,500 bar.

Audi nanuk quattro concept

A beefed-up seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox transfers power to a specially designed quattro drivetrain, allowing this 1,900 kg super crossover to get to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 305 km/h. With an average consumption of 7.8 litres per 100 km, the V10 TDI engine sets benchmarks for power and efficiency, claims Audi.

Behind the concept’s 22-inch wheels (wrapped in 235/50 tyres up front, 295/45 at the rear) are all-around carbon-fibre-ceramic brake discs and double-wishbones, connected to Audi’s next-gen air suspension.

The nanuk can be lowered by 30 mm or raised 40 mm from its default ride height to have the ideal ground clearance for any roads. This can be done manually if the driver insists, or automatically as it is linked to the car’s navigation system. Left on its own, it’ll lower itself on highways and automatically raise its height when approaching a gravel road.

Audi nanuk quattro concept

Another breakthrough addition is its integral steering, which combines Audi’s dynamic steering on the front axle with supplemental steering on the rear wheels. It resolves the on-going conflict between dynamic handling and stability, and is similar to the system already put into production in the latest Porsche 911 GT3.

At low speeds, the rear wheels can turn up to nine degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels to reduce the turning circle and aid agility. On the other hand, the rear wheels turn as much as 2.5 degrees in the same direction as the fronts at higher speeds for better stability.

The nanuk quattro uses the lightweight aluminium Audi Space Frame with a carbon-fibre outer skin, sculpted with exaggerated and angular lines that preview the next Audi design language. It has distinctive dynamic daytime running lights that also serve as turn signals, parked next to headlights that use the Audi Matrix LED technology.

Audi nanuk quattro concept

Behind the doors are vertical sideblades like those on the Audi R8 sports car. The lower opening feeds air into the V10 TDI engine, while the upper half is movable and facilitates the flow of air through the engine compartment.

There’s only a sketch of the interior to go by, but it’s clear that it has been reduced to the essentials. The minimalist architecture revolves around the instrument cluster. Only three materials are seen inside: dark aluminium, mineral grey leather and carbon-fibre.

Meanwhile, the front luggage compartment offers enough room for two trolley cases or a golf bag. After all, there’s no point to being able to go everywhere if you can’t bring anything with you, is there?

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • Wooohooo!! Turbodiesel supercar!! Damn cool!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
  • Albert on Sep 10, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    Audi fail me with this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 11
  • truely malaysian on Sep 10, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    Need another name, The nanuk sounds very lazy…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 8
  • Dyscisme on Sep 10, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    the shape looks like cockroach.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 4
  • 1st I though the name was nyamuk, but its Nanuk means polar bear

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • Jaybond on Sep 10, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    A kind of off-road sportscar concept (something like Lancia Stratos)?

    Anyway , nasib baik bukan Audi “nyanyuk”.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • Nyanyuk on Sep 10, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Nyanyuk…nice concept…though it’s more of a niche…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • yaiya on Sep 10, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    Its a Gallardo siblings

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • vodka on Sep 10, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    Audi lightweight aluminium frame and the car weighs 1,900kgs!! Must be one heavy diesel engine!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • why no more pop up headlamps in recent years? It does look sportier and mystery abt the shape of inner lamps.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • shawal on Sep 10, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    this either previews the upcoming R8
    or…
    Audi wants to experiment in a new niche market like BMW

    who knows…. jacked up supercars might be the next ‘in’ thing since crossovers…

    on roads are festooned with speed limits, might as well go fast off roads…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • KL Stray Cat on Sep 10, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    70’s muscle car looks :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • kayu uji berbara on Sep 10, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    why not Audi Nonok?.. :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Change to more appropriate tyres, this could be the next r8

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol on Sep 10, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    But can it beat the underwater capable Lotus Esprit (Roger Moore edition)? :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Audi nyot nyot… got breast ka?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • sudonano on Sep 10, 2013 at 5:06 pm

    Nanuk sounds too close to the Malay word nyanyuk, which means…

    http://mykamus.com/free/2010/09/nyanyuk/

    senile; deranged; dotage; doting.

    Yea.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Come one guys… this is just the all new R8 preview

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Fahmi on Sep 10, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    Can’t imagine a supercar like Audi R8 going offroad… Yet laps onenof the fastest at Nurburgring and Sepang…. But nothing’s impossible really, nowadays… Fuel economy should be better than premium fuel guzzling screamer of 8,10 and 12 cyls…. Its a diesel anyway…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 1,000Nm of torque @ 1500rpm, 305km/h top speed and 7.8l/100km? Wow…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • 1Malaysia on Sep 11, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Suitable in Malaysia Road Condition where we have many potholes, hump, illegal hump, uneven road surface, and 1 in 100 years road maintenance. :) Very Practical and no need to drive very slow 1.5km/h when speed hump ahead. haha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • John Petersen on Oct 11, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    What makes all Audi’s such an exceptional car …..
    Is that’s the first out with all wheel drive….and everyone else follows…..gimme a 1984 Audi Quattro Coupe….wow my dream car …now that’s serious sh*t ……so you aint stopping making them even better ….hit em hard!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required