LA 2007: Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro concept
Click the image above for a gallery of the Audi Cabriolet Quattro Concept.
Despite the rumors, Audi didn't show off its X3-fighter here in LA. Instead, the quad-ringed quattro folks pulled the curtains on a drop-top version of the Cross Coupe quattro concept it originally debuted in Shanghai. Designed by the automaker's studio in Santa Monica, CA, Audi maintains that the Cross Cabriolet quattro concept is distinctly American in its styling, with a jacked up ride height, elongated wheelbase and retractable soft-top.
As mentioned previously, power comes courtesy of a diesel mill putting 240 HP and 369 lb.-ft. of torque through all four wheels. Audi says the Cross Cabriolet will make it to 60 in 7.2-seconds, and if you tap the "Drive Select" option, fuel economy is boosted by an additional ten-percent.
While both the presentation and styling of the concept left us cold, some of the interior appointments piqued our curiosity. The MMI infotainment system combines traditional GPS functionality with Google Earth, to provide a real-time rendering of the world in which it's traveling, and while wind noise is always an issue with convertibles, Audi decided the best way to facilitate conversation within the cabin was to employ an intercom system that picks up the voices of the occupants and amplifies them through the Bang & Olufsen sound system.
According to Audi, the aforementioned X3-competitor – the Q5 – will debut sometime next year, and the Cross Coupe quattro and its Cross Cabriolet sibling foretell the design direction the automaker plans to take.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
raz 4:07PM (11/14/2007)
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2007-audi-cross-cabriolet-quattro/488075/
Now tell me this is not a great car.
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TrueDis 4:30PM (11/14/2007)
The grille is too much ... but then again, it's a concept so it'll probably be toned down for production.
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Philthy 5:44PM (11/14/2007)
This is just a concept version of the A3 cabriolet we've already seen plenty of spy shots of. I was a big believer in Audi's design language way back when they launched the first TT and A6, but at this point they're taking the whole 'common face' thing more than a little too far. This thing doesn't look bad, but it looks EXACTLY LIKE EVERY OTHER CAR THEY MAKE. Barring the TT and R8. And why are they developing a convertible version of a car that's been on the market for almost 5 years?
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chewy 7:11PM (11/14/2007)
This is the Q5 with the roof cut off. It is 181 inches long and is on a 110+ inch long wheelbase. Just a big smaller than the A4. If anything Audi should make it a bit bigger.
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SteveRB 10:35AM (11/15/2007)
"Tengears also thinks this is an ugly car, but autoblog did not post a picture where roof is up. I think in that form it looks much better."
Yes, just what I wanted ... a convertible that looks better with the top up. That car has more bling than a pimped out Escalade.
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Justin 9:02AM (11/16/2007)
I'll take one!
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