|
Price |
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-- |
Production |
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-- |
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Engine |
3
liter TDI diesel V6 |
Weight |
-- |
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Aspiration |
turbocharged |
Torque |
369
lb-ft |
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HP |
240
hp |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
80
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
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(from Audi Press
Release) 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.
Design and body
Spectacular – a term
which sums up the visual impact of the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro
painted in "Copper Sunset", whether the top is up or down. After
all, without the hint of a compromise, the concept car combines
classic Audi convertible hallmarks, such as the elegant fabric hood
and aluminium A-pillar surface, with the undisguised dynamism of a
sports car and the masculine presence of a genuine SUV.
4.62 m long, 1.91 m wide
and with a wheelbase of 2.81 m: the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro has
the dimensions of a B-segment vehicle. The longitudinally mounted
engine and the basic chassis and drivetrain architectures are taken
from the inventory of modules used in the current Audi A4 and Audi
A5 model lines. The SUV-style height of 1.63 m with the hood closed
marks the most significant difference to these relatives of the
Cross Cabriolet quattro.
High passive safety
Body stiffness and
passive safety measure up to the typical standards of an Audi
convertible. This is achieved with reinforcements to the A-pillar,
the rear seat cross member and the sill area, in addition to a
simple trick that exploits the extra body height of an SUV. The
Cross Cabriolet quattro has a double underbody that turns the open
profile of a convertible body into a closed structure, producing a
major increase in stiffness. This design feature is efficient and
economical in equal measure, since it replaces conventional
modifications that involve numerous body components and require
significantly more material, thus adding more weight.
The A-pillar and the top
edge of the relatively shallow windscreen have been heavily
reinforced to aid roll-over protection. Two roll-over bars, normally
lowered out of view, are located behind the rear seats and are
preloaded by powerful springs. If the vehicle is in danger of
rolling over, the sensor system releases the spring retaining
mechanism, causing the bars to shoot up within milliseconds to
provide effective protection together with the A-pillars for the
occupants in the interior.
The dominant element of
the face-on view is the single-frame radiator grille with polished
aluminium longitudinal struts, emphasising its vertical orientation
– a clear signal of the concept car's sporty character. Behind its
clear-glass headlight covers, the latest lighting technology can be
seen: the Cross Cabriolet quattro is the latest Audi to be equipped
with full LED headlights, which also feature the characteristic
strip of daytime running lights and the electronically controlled
swivelling cornering light. The turn signals, brake lights and tail
lights also use fast-reacting LED light units. In addition to the
front and rear light units, the exterior mirrors also have
integrated turn signals.
In the side view, a
distinct aspect of current Audi design can be seen in the shoulder
line and dynamic line, which divide the vehicle body volume into a
clearly defined sporty architecture. An equally characteristic
feature is the proportion between the large body surface and shallow
window area beneath the soft top's sweeping roof line – the hallmark
of a sports car.
Within the pronounced
styling of the wheel arches, the large 21-inch wheels with tyres of
size 265/35 R21 send out a clear visual message and make an
additional contribution to both driving pleasure and safety.
The fabric hood, which
lowers itself fully automatically in a Z-fold behind the rear seats
at the push of a button, is a trademark of all open-top Audi models.
It is a stylistic feature that makes the car recognisable as a
convertible, even with the hood up, and requires considerably less
space in the rear and adds less weight than a complex folding steel
roof.
In terms of noise and
heat insulation, the Audi A4 Cabriolet's multi-layer fabric hood has
long been found to compare very favourably with a solid roof in
everyday use.
The underbody guard and
metal running boards are classic off-roader features. They have been
given a modern interpretation on the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro.
The running boards are integrated into the sills with a seamless
transition to the door opening. The underbody guard covers the whole
width of the vehicle. The LED front fog lights are integrated into
the front section and the rear section accommodates the two exhaust
tailpipes on the left and right.
Two generously sized
doors provide access to the interior in typical convertible style.
Thanks to the lack of a B-pillar and the easy entry front seats,
rear passengers have no trouble getting in and out.
The rear loading solution is a perfect synthesis of convertible
design and SUV functionality. When closed, the short stepped boot
lid forms a continuation of the fabric hood's coupé line. When it
opens, however, with the assistance of its gas springs, it lifts up
high to provide a surprisingly large opening. At the same time, the
glass rear window, which is hinged to the fabric hood, automatically
lifts up too. The result is an opening to the luggage compartment
that matches that of a conventional SUV equipped with an off-roader's
traditional large tailgate. The loading width is 1.16 m and the
load-area width is 1.05 m.
The Audi Cross Cabriolet
quattro thus gives its driver the best of both worlds – the freedom
and elegance of a convertible blended with the spaciousness and
versatility of an SUV.
Interior
The interior of the Audi
Cross Cabriolet quattro offers sophistication and ergonomically
perfect solutions in all areas and with all its materials. The
smooth and soft surfaces together with a gentle, natural blend of
colours help to provide an atmosphere of absolute ease for the
occupants. For additional convenience, each passenger has a heatable
and coolable cup holder, located in the centre console at the front
and in the side walls at the rear.
The driver and
passengers enjoy the comfort of four spacious individual seats. The
seating is entirely upholstered in "White Stone" leather. All
occupants benefit from lateral support and excellent long-distance
comfort. To enhance comfort when driving with the top down, all four
seats are equipped with an airscarf function. Air vents on the head
restraints serve to compensate for the air turbulence around the
occupant's neck.
The space available in
the second row is unique for the convertible world: the legroom,
shoulder space and headroom are unbeatable, even with the roof
closed.
The centre console
continues far into the rear of the interior and provides the rear
passengers with a stowage box with lifting lid.
A regular Audi
characteristic of the cockpit area in the Cross Cabriolet quattro
concept car is the way it is markedly angled towards the driver. The
controls can be found here, while the front-passenger area is
emphatically neat and architecturally clear-cut. In turn, the
dashboard and doors are connected by flowing lines, while the
cockpit itself is smoothly and organically integrated.
In addition to the
instrument dials under the dome-shaped cowl behind the steering
wheel and a central LCD colour display integrated between them, the
MMI also supplies information via its swivelling flat screen, well
positioned within the driver's field of vision in the upper section
of the centre console.
The MMI terminal on the
centre console is also extremely neat. The central operating button
and the six hard keys are the simplest way imaginable to operate the
vehicle and infotainment functions.
In addition to the MMI
terminal, the Cross Cabriolet quattro also has a touch-sensitive
sensor field (touch pad) in front of the MMI control element. Like
on a laptop, this can be used, for example, to move image sections
of the map display. The system is also capable of recognising and
processing commands entered by tracing letters with your finger on
the touch pad.
Infotainment
Google Earth, the
interactive, three-dimensional atlas of the world, has gained a firm
role on all personal computers. Now this software is making life
easier on the road too. Audi has, for the first time ever, brought
together the merits of the internet-based system Google Earth and
its own built-in navigation system to create countless information
facilities with user-friendly graphics.
The high-resolution display and photorealistic 3D maps provide a new
dimension in intuitively understandable bird's eye visualisations
that are rich in detail. The image angle and section can of course
be adjusted to suit the driver's wishes at any time. By connecting
to the internet, it will also be possible in future for traffic and
weather information or even data on air quality to be included and
taken into account in planning your route.
Using Google Earth's
search function, the driver can also find addresses or service
providers at the chosen destination and navigate directly to them –
for instance restaurants, car parks or an Audi dealer.
To enter a navigation
destination, there is no longer any need to enter the address by
hand. The driver can click on an image in the Google Earth user
interface and be directed to the identified destination.
Bang & Olufsen sound system and
internet radio
Leading the way in
technical and acoustical quality is the sound system from Bang &
Olufsen. Derived from the unit used in the A8 luxury saloon, it is
no less of a delight to the ear in the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro.
With its sparkling, brilliant reproduction, detailed resolution,
precise spatial imaging and broad, well-defined frequency spectrum,
this product from the Danish sound specialists satisfies every wish
with its high precision and quality.
The key element in the
Bang & Olufsen sound system is an amplifier with a supreme output
rating of 505 watts. It processes signals digitally according to the
manufacturer’s own surround algorithm, which enables the occupant of
every seat to enjoy the full splendour of the system’s audio
quality. The numerous user settings include four sound focuses. The
system analyses the noise level inside the vehicle by means of a
microphone and makes selective adjustments to its output signals in
specific frequency ranges.
The advantages of a
digital sound system really come into play in the Audi Cross
Cabriolet quattro's innovative internet radio system. This provides
access to the countless radio stations broadcasting over the World
Wide Web.
At the same time, it
turns radio into a highly personalised medium. Simply by pressing a
button, the user can give a positive or negative verdict on a music
track. The system will thereafter only offer the user tracks and
music styles that match his/her preferences. This enables the
internet radio to create a highly customised virtual station for
each individual listener.
In addition, the
internet delivers a large range of supplementary data besides the
music being played – from a graphic display of the CD cover to
information about the track and the artists.
An intercom system is
fitted to assist the occupants in communicating with each other.
This removes the need to raise your voice – especially welcome when
driving with the top down. Four microphones pick up the speakers'
voices and relay them at a subtly amplified volume via the vehicle's
audio system. The sound processor filters out background noise to
give an extremely natural voice reproduction.
Drivetrain
Power is supplied by the
latest stage of evolution of the three-litre diesel with common rail
direct injection. It develops 176 kW (240 bhp) and has an impressive
maximum torque of 500 Nm. It is this ultra-powerful TDI with a
displacement of 2,967 cc that truly makes the Cross Cabriolet
quattro a sports car. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.2
seconds and has a top speed of 240 km/h – yet the average fuel
consumption is a mere 7.3 l/100 km. The 500 Nm provide a mighty
surge of acceleration starting from just above idling speed.
The 3.0 TDI is coupled
to the quattro permanent four-wheel drive and an eight-speed
automatic transmission. If the driver wishes to change gear
manually, the shift paddles at the steering wheel can be used. The
especially designed selector lever with integrated control wheel for
gear selection is a newly developed variation of the shift-by-wire
system.
The latest 3.0 TDI is
notable not only for its low fuel consumption, but also for its
especially clean exhaust. A diesel particulate filter is used to
reduce soot emissions: it cuts the already low level of untreated
emissions further, by more than 90 percent.
The cleanest diesel in the world
The new 3.0 TDI with
ultra-low emission system is a further step forward that
demonstrates the potential of the Audi TDI. Drivers are thrilled not
only by the dynamism of 176 kW (240 bhp) and the outstanding torque
of 500 Nm, but also by its modest fuel consumption and extremely low
emissions.
The ultra-low emission system raises the principle of the
direct-injection turbocharged diesel to a new level. To develop it,
Audi’s engineers combined a whole package of innovative measures. A
new common rail system with piezo injectors operating at a pressure
of 2,000 bar, high-efficiency exhaust gas recirculation and further
optimised turbocharging join forces to achieve a significant
reduction in untreated emissions.
A further technical
breakthrough is the actual exhaust aftertreatment system, which cuts
emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 90 percent. This
system operates with the additive AdBlue, an aqueous solution of
carbamide, small amounts of which are injected ahead of the DeNOx
catalytic converter. In the hot exhaust gas, the solution breaks
down into ammonia, which splits the oxides of nitrogen into nitrogen
and water.
The AdBlue solution,
which is biodegradable, is topped up as a routine operation each
time the car is serviced, without the customer having to take any
action. Since consumption of the solution is very low, Audi can
guarantee that the amount carried on the car will be sufficient from
one service to the next. The system will remain effective for the
entire service life of the vehicle.
Thanks to their extremely low emissions, from 2008 Audi is able to
sell its clean direct-injection diesels all over the world, even in
the US states of California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York and
Vermont where extremely stringent emission limits apply.
From 2010 on, Audi will be offering this new technology in further
car and power output classes. The brand is pursuing a systematic
strategy aimed at lowering fuel consumption and pollutant emissions
still further. By 2012, Audi will have reduced its models’ CO2
emissions by some 20 percent – yet their sporty character will be
enhanced at the same time.
quattro drive
The Audi Cross Cabriolet
always transmits its power to the road through the quattro permanent
four-wheel drive. Here again it delivers the supreme capabilities
that have become an Audi hallmark in the years since this driveline
was launched in 1980 – enhanced driving dynamics, safety and
directional stability, together making up Audi’s proverbial
‘Vorsprung durch Technik’. Added to this, there is the legendary
traction of the quattro driveline even under the toughest
conditions, making it ideally suited to off-road driving.
The key element in the
quattro driveline is its centre differential. It is a purely
mechanical unit and therefore responds without the slightest delay.
Its locking action is only active when the throttle is open;
differences in rotational speed are tolerated when the brakes are
applied and when cornering.
In normal driving conditions, 40 percent of engine power reaches the
front wheels and 60 percent the rear wheels, permitting sporty
handling with a rear-driven emphasis. When needed – i.e. when the
wheels on either axle start to spin – the differential redirects
most of the torque to the axle revolving more slowly and therefore
having better traction.
The centre differential
can direct up to 65 percent of the power to the front wheels and up
to 85 percent to the rear wheels; as a result, the concept car can
normally tackle situations close to its handling limits without
braking intervention by ESP.
Dynamic chassis
The dynamic chassis on
the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro combines precision and dynamism
with a high level of stability. The suspension mountings, steering,
wheels and brakes have been developed for top performance and
numerous aluminium components are used to keep unsprung masses to a
minimum.
As in the Audi A5 and A4
models, the five-link front suspension makes a considerable
contribution to the car’s dynamic character.
By moving the
differential to the front and the clutch to the rear, the front axle
is repositioned 154 millimetres further forward. Together with the
relocation of the car’s battery to the boot, this optimises the load
distribution between the front and rear axles.
The front axle comprises
five suspension links per wheel – one supporting link and one guide
link form the lower level and two guide links the upper level. The
fifth link – the track rod – joins the steering box to the wheel
bearing housing. All suspension links are forged aluminium parts,
which guarantee low unsprung masses and extremely precise wheel
location.
If sporty handling is to
be combined with a high standard of ride comfort, the unsprung
masses must be kept as low as possible. Audi has pursued this
approach for all the rear-axle components. The upper transverse
links and the track rods are aluminium forgings. Their high rigidity
ensures that toe and camber angles change very little when dynamic
forces act on the wheels.
The springs act directly
on the wheel carriers. The design engineers adopted this layout
because it enabled them to increase the ride comfort to luxury-car
level and at the same time achieve the road dynamics of a sports
saloon.
Stepless – the shock absorbers
The CDC (continuous
damping control) shock absorbers, similar to those that Audi already
uses on the luxury Q7 SUV with air suspension, are twin-tube
gas-filled hydraulic units with an additional external valve and
connecting pipe. Their operation can be continuously varied.
An electromagnetically
energised proportional-action valve regulates the flow of hydraulic
fluid between the inner and outer damper tubes. A smaller flow
cross-section makes the damping characteristic firmer, a larger one
makes it softer.
The control unit applies
adaptive operating characteristics within the mode the driver has
chosen via Audi drive select. It adapts to match the driver's
driving style and the road conditions. Even from the comfort mode,
the shock absorbers can be switched in an instant to a firm setting
if desired, though not to the absolute limit. They are fitted in
conjunction with sports suspension springs, which still provide a
good standard of ride comfort, even off road.
The control unit selects
the optimum damping force for the current driving situation, for
instance firmer damping to prevent body roll and pitch when
cornering fast or braking, lower damping force in off-road terrain
where the surface under the wheels is hard and uneven.
Electric ride height adjustment
As a true SUV, the Audi
Cross Cabriolet quattro displays impressive off-road talents. These
include its innovative electric ride height adjustment, which varies
ground clearance by a total of 40 millimetres at the touch of a
button. It works by means of electric motors under each wheel's
spring plate that raise or lower the vehicle body. In addition to
its low weight, one of this system's winning features is its
operating speed: the preselected ride height level is reached in a
maximum of four seconds.
This brings obvious
advantages for the driver, not only when venturing into rough
off-road terrain. The height of the vehicle body can be adjusted to
make getting in and out that bit easier and also – as already seen
in the Q7 – the rear can be lowered separately for easier loading
into the luggage compartment.
For reasons of safety,
handing dynamics and economy, the body moves automatically to the
low setting at speeds above 80 km/h, thus both lowering the centre
of gravity and reducing air resistance.
The system is operated either via the MMI, a button in the luggage
compartment or even from outside the vehicle using the key.
Controlled power – the ceramic
brakes
The Audi Cross Cabriolet
quattro is equipped with ceramic brakes on all four wheels for
effective deceleration even under the most demanding conditions.
Compared with conventional steel discs, ceramic brakes not only last
four times longer, up to 300,000 kilometres, but also offer high
resistance to fading. The significant reduction in weight also leads
to advantages in terms of comfort and handling, thanks to reduced
unsprung masses.
On the front axle,
380-millimetre ceramic discs are fitted in combination with 21-inch
wheels. The rear discs have a diameter of 356 millimetres. The
elaborate cooling duct geometry of the ventilated brake discs
ensures optimum brake disc cooling. Firm grip on the brake disc is
guaranteed at the front by 6-piston monobloc aluminium brake
callipers, and at the rear by floating-calliper brakes.
Audi drive select
The Audi Cross Cabriolet
quattro is equipped with Audi drive select, as optionally available
in the current generation of the bestselling Audi A4. This allows
you to preselect three highly individual configurations for the
engine and gear-change characteristics, and the adaptive shock
absorbers. The result is a car that can be enjoyed in completely
different ways and that offers a huge potential in the field of
efficiency.
The default setting is
the "dynamic" mode, which is automatically activated every time the
engine is started and is designed purely to produce the dynamic yet
comfortable driving feel typical of the brand, which Audi drivers
have come to expect of their cars.
The "sport" mode gives
the Cross Cabriolet quattro an emphatically sporty driving feel. The
shock absorbers are set firm, the engine responds more spontaneously
to the throttle and the tiptronic transmission’s shift points move
higher up the engine speed range: the ideal basis for active driving
pleasure on winding roads.
When the driver switches
to the "efficiency" mode using the MMI, the engine and S tronic
respond gently to commands from the accelerator and shift paddles.
This setting is ideal for a relaxed driving style, as well as
offering tremendous potential for effectively lowering fuel
consumption, and therefore emissions too.
In efficiency mode, the
air conditioning system is automatically switched off and is only
reactivated if the driver so wishes. A completely new interpretation
of the cruise control system also moves the vehicle with minimum
fuel consumption, allowing it to drop below the set speed within a
certain lower limit in favour of lower fuel consumption, for example
on gentle uphill stretches of motorway.
The efficiency mode also makes use of route data from the navigation
system and the adaptive cruise control to reduce speed early and
make driving as economical as possible by avoiding the need for
heavy braking when approaching a tight bend or a vehicle driving
ahead.
In this way, under normal operating conditions and combined with a
forward-looking driving style, Audi drive select can achieve fuel
savings of well over 20 percent compared to dynamic mode.
