Audi is introducing a new vehicle segment with its presentation of the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro concept car: 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.Exterior: Dynamic presence
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 Cabriolet 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.
The longitudinally mounted engine and the basic chassis and drivetrain architectures of the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro, which measures 4.62 m in length and 1.91 m across, 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. In the side view, the shoulder line and dynamic line divide the vehicle body’s volume into a clearly defined sporty architecture. 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.
Latest lighting technology
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 all-LED headlights, which also feature the characteristic strip of daytime running lights and the electronically controlled swivelling cornering light.
Innovative hood system
The fabric hood, which in just 17 seconds 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. 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, it lifts up high to provide a surprisingly large opening, with the glass rear window automatically lifting up at the same time as the boot lid.
Interior: Sophisticated and ergonomically perfect
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.
Generously spacious
The driver and passengers enjoy the comfort of four spacious individual seats. On all four seats the air turbulence around the occupant’s neck is being counteracted. The seating is upholstered entirely in “White Stone” leather. 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 operating concept
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. In addition to the familiar MMI terminal on the centre console, the Cross Cabriolet quattro has a touch-sensitive sensor field (touch pad). Like on a laptop, this can be used, for example, to move image sections of the map display. The touch pad is also capable of recognising and processing commands entered by tracing letters with your finger.
Infotainment: Precise and entertaining
Google Earth, the interactive, three-dimensional atlas of the world, is now available in-car. 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 audio system, too, benefits from internet connectivity by featuring an innovative radio system.
Intuitive: navigation system with Google Earth
The high-resolution display and photorealistic 3D maps provide a new dimension in intuitively understandable bird’s eye visualisations that are rich in detail. By connecting to the internet, it will be possible in future for traffic and weather information to be included and taken into account in planning your route. 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.
Individual: internet radio and Bang & Olufsen sound system
Leading the way in technical and acoustic quality is the sound system from Bang & Olufsen. It is a delight to the ear in the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro, too. Its advantages really come into play in conjunction with digital sound sources: an innovative internet radio system provides access to the countless radio stations broadcasting over the World Wide Web. 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.
Innovative: the intercom system
An intercom system is fitted to assist the occupants in communicating with each other. This eliminates 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.
Drive Technology: Sporty driving dynamics
The 240 bhp three-litre TDI engine with ultra-low emission technology delivers sporty driving dynamics with exhaust emissions capable of meeting 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.
Economical top-class athlete
The power output of the three-litre diesel engine with common rail direct injection is 176 kW (240 bhp) and its maximum torque is an impressive 500 Nm. It accelerates the Cross Cabriolet quattro from a standstill to 100 km/h in only 7.2 seconds and enables it to reach a top speed of 240 km/h – with fuel consumption averaging no more than 7.3 litres per 100 km. 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, they can do so by using the shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel or use the selector lever with integrated control wheel.
The cleanest diesel in the world
To realise the ultra-low emission system, 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. The exhaust aftertreatment system operates with the additive AdBlue, small amounts of which are injected ahead of the DeNOx catalytic converter. Thanks to their extremely low emissions, Audi will from 2008 be 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.
Quattro drive
The Audi Cross Cabriolet always transmits its power to the road through the quattro permanent four-wheel drive. The key element in the quattro driveline is its centre differential. It is a purely mechanical unit and therefore responds without the slightest delay. In normal driving conditions, 40 percent of engine power is directed to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels, permitting sporty handling with a rear-driven emphasis. When needed, the differential redirects most of the torque to the axle that is achieving better traction.
Audi drive select
The Audi drive select system makes it possible to preselect three highly individual configurations for the engine, transmission characteristic and adaptive shock absorbers. The “dynamic” mode is the basic setting. 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. If the driver switches to the “efficiency” mode, the engine and S tronic respond gently – the perfect answer to relaxed driving with high potential for effectively lowering fuel consumption, and therefore emissions too.
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. 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 Audi Q7 – the rear can be lowered separately for easier loading of the luggage compartment.
Source: Audi News
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