Audi has pulled the wraps off a high-performance diesel sportscar concept at the Frankfurt motor show.
The Audi Nanuk, which claims on- and off-road ability, has been produced in collaboration with Italdesign Giugiaro and is the spiritual successor to the ItalDesign Giugiaro Parcour. It is powered by a newly-developed 5.0-litre V10 TDI engine mounted midships and longitudinally.
Audi claims peak torque is developed at 1500rpm and power is transferred to all four wheels via a “beefed-up” 7-speed S-tronic gearbox and the manufacturer's Quattro system. The 1900kg Nanuk is consequently capable of reaching 100kph in 3.8sec.
Next-generation adaptive air suspension allows the ride height to be adjusted by up to 70mm, and the level of the body can also be controlled based on speed and route data provided by the navigation system. The Nanuk features 22-inch wheels with 235/50 and 295/45 tyres front and rear and carbon ceramic brakes.Four-wheel steering is fitted, allowing the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction at low speeds to aid manoeuvrability. At higher speeds the rear wheels turn in the same direction, improving stabililty.Audi's Nanuk concept has a 2710mm wheelbase and measures 4541mm long, 1990mm wide and 1337mm high. The car is based around an aluminium space frame and the body panels are constructed from carbonfibre reinforced polymer (CFRP).
The car is described by Audi as a “dynamic sculpture on large wheels that opens a new chapter in the Audi design language”. Key design features include a flatter version of Audi’s hexagonal grille and daytime running lights that double as indicators. The car features vertical fins across its intakes, and is features a new take on the side blade fitted to the current R8.
To improve maintenance access, the entire rear of the car’s bodywork is a single-piece clamshell.
Luggage can be stowed in the front.Audi describes the Nanuk's interior as being “reduced to the essentials”. All controls are based around the centre console and it offers inductive mobile phone charging. The instrument cluster is fully programmable and monitors in the A-pillars serve as rear-view mirrors. A similar arrangement is employed for the rear view mirror.