Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept Revealed

Press Release

The Design

The design of the four-door study presents itself as a further step in the evolution of the current Audi style. The prominent single-frame radiator grille, the proportions, with large areas of metal and narrow glazing at the sides, and the powerful rear end identify the SUV as a relative of the Audi Q7. The robust-looking sill area with its colour offset and the heavily embossed dynamic line above it emphasise the vehicle's offroad character. The study, painted in Liquid Silver, has a heavily segmented side area with gently climbing shoulder line and accentuated horizontal rear end. These elements are borrowed from the A5 coupé and are essential factors of this model's independence. A typical Audi feature is the roof, gently curved and carried on the slim A and C pillars, evoking a coupé silhouette. Also typical of a coupé are the frameless doors with fully retracting windows. And the short overhangs also help to make the overall proportions appear so dynamic. As previously seen on the Audi Shooting Brake study, the trapeze of the large single-frame grille with its vertical slats gives the front end an emphatically self-assured appearance. Particularly eye-catching are the three-dimensional main headlights, which incorporate LED technology. The reflector dishes concentrate the light to form a powerful, uniform beam whose white tone is easy on the eye, even on long night-time journeys. Naturally, the daytime running lights, which take the form of a horizontal strip, also employ LED technology. In addition to its design qualities, this also provides for an especially low level of energy consumption. For the first time, the Audi Cross Coupé quattro employs LED technology for both headlights and cornering lights. Here, the lens, reflector and beam deflector are integrated in a single component. LED technology is also used for the main-beam headlights. Viewed from the rear, the shoulder areas are especially prominent, separating the side areas from the D pillars and at the same time underlining the dynamic character of the Cross Coupé quattro. The tailgate embraces both the sides and the rear. The lights project deeply into both the side panels and the tailgate. The tailgate hinge is integrated into the roof rails. The tailgate itself opens up to reveal a wide, easy-to-load opening to the luggage compartment. Here you can find the same multifunctional rail system that has been well proven ever since its debut in the A6 Avant. The volume of the luggage compartment is 450 litres when loaded up to the edge of the window. The rear lights are deeply embedded in the body of the vehicle, underlining the study's innovative design. The transparent red covers in a supine U-shape give a clear view of the LED technology. The area of the lights is segmented by delicate fins, indicating the very high degree of precision. Again here, the turn signal lights form narrow, horizontal strips. The Cross Coupé is instantly recognizable, even at night. The body of the Audi Cross Coupé quattro makes optimum use of the compact road space of an A-class vehicle. With a length of 4.38 m, a width of 1.82 m and a wheelbase of 2.60 m, it is only slightly larger than the A3 Sportback. The study shares excellent economy of space with this model, not least thanks to the transversely installed engine. The height of 1.60 m (18 centimetres higher than the Sportback) is typical of an SUV and gives the occupants a comfortable, upright seating position.

The interior

All areas of the Audi Cross Coupé quattro interior offer top quality and solutions that are as elegant as they are ergonomically perfect. The pale basic colour, off white, generates an impression of quality and a feeling of spaciousness. In addition, clear contrasts between the different materials add to the visual and haptic surprises. For example, while all the leather surfaces are in the colour saddle brown, an appealing contrast is generated by the high-gloss and matt surfaces of the different types of leather. Seating is provided by individual seats in the front and a rear bench with two full-size seats. The complete seating system is upholstered in saddle brown leather. All four seats offer good side support and excellent long-distance comfort. The cockpit area is heavily inclined towards the driver – typical of a modern Audi. 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 succinct and organically integrated. In the upper section of the centre console, beside the instrument dials, under the dome-shaped hood behind the steering wheel, the retractable MMI display is optimally situated in the driver's field of vision to provide driving information. A new element is the perforated trim strip in the dashboard, linking the centre console and the front-passenger area. The perforated surface marries form and function, for it allows the air-conditioning system to provide indirect, draught-free ventilation through more than 4,600 holes. The MMI terminal on the centre console is extremely neat. The central control element and the six hard keys are the simplest way imaginable to operate the vehicle and infotainment functions. Information is output on the retracting MMI monitor in the upper section of the centre console. Furthermore, selected information – for example about incoming text messages and phone calls – can be displayed directly in the windscreen via a laser projection. A further feature of this technology: electronically authorised tags or parking permission stickers can be projected in mirror image, meaning that they can be read from outside, at the edges of the windscreen, and are visible even once the vehicle has been switched off. In addition to the MMI terminal, the Cross Coupé 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 touch pad is also able to recognise characters written with your finger – even Chinese characters – and to process these as commands. The air-conditioning system also has a new control element – the touch wheel. Pressing it with your fingertip allows the rotary movements of traditional rotary/pushbutton controls to be simulated and all functions such as temperature setting and blower speed to be controlled intuitively. An electronic driver/passenger recognition sensor "tells" the system which part of the two-zone climate control has to be adjusted. This makes it possible to do without a second, superfluous control panel. The large fabric folding roof is a particular visual highlight of the Audi Cross Coupé quattro – regardless of whether it is seen from the inside or outside. Opened and closed electrically, it opens up the view to the sky from the A pillar almost as far as the tailgate and across nearly the whole width of the roof, allowing almost the same degree of fresh air as that provided by convertibles.