Press Release
Audi Pikes Peak quattro Concept Revealed
The equipment specifications, data and prices stated here apply to models offered for sale in Germany. Subject to amendment; errors and omissions excepted.Star athlete with strong personality
Premiere in Detroit: at the North American International Motor Show (January 5 to 20, 2003) Audi is exhibiting a sport concept study: the Pikes Peak quattro, for all on-road driving and moderate off-road terrain. It has been developed exclusively for this debut at America's most important automobile exhibition. This impressive study for an Audi that is typical in its suitability for several market segments, takes its name from Pikes Peak, a mountain some 4,300 meters (14,110 feet) high that rises abruptly out of the Colorado Plain of the Rocky Mountains. It can be seen from many miles away and is also called "America's Mountain". It is a gathering place for automobile enthusiasts on account of the "Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race". Every year in June, up to 160 fearless drivers tackle this 12.4 mile (almost 21 kilometer) long run, which has straights on which 125 mph (200 km/h) can be reached but also 156 corners with loose stone surfaces, unprotected by any form of crash barrier. Three victories have made the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race part of the successful history of Audi Motorsport. In 1985 it was won by Michèle Mouton, the first woman driver ever to win a world championship rally. A year later, the legendary American race driver Bobby Unser proved to be unbeatable, and in 1987 Walter Röhrl in the Audi Sport quattro S1 scored a much-admired overall victory by conquering the Peak in the new record time of 10:47.85 minutes. The qualities possessed by the Audi Pikes Peak quattro exhibit definite parallels with the world of rallying, that high-speed sport mostly conducted on loose-surfaced roads and tracks. However, the Audi Pikes Peak quattro for 2003 is considerably more versatile than the Audi Sport quattro that was so successful 15 years ago. The idea behind the Audi Pikes Peak Quattro This four-door 4+2-seat hatchback is a draft design that indicates the systematic evolutionary path that current Audi design could take - but it is more besides:the Pikes Peak quattro illustrates the novel AUDI AG concept that spans several segments in the premium automobile category. The Audi Pikes Peak quattro is notable for the manner in which it combines the sheer power of the legendary Audi quattro and an advanced design concept that brings together elements from widely varying types of automobile. The Audi Pikes Peak quattro is a crossover model. It possesses typical qualities from a number of different automobile categories. From the luxury sport sedan it adopts dynamism and comfort, but its off-road competence comes from its variable-height adaptive air suspension and quattro driveline. This is not all: the Audi Pikes Peak quattro is equally convincing with its innovative seating concept with variable elements as used in luxury vans. What makes the Audi Pikes Peak quattro a truly forward-looking concept are its restrained but elegant proportions, with a confident air of supremacy and styling full of character that set it well apart from clumsy attempts to interpret the theme of a 'go-anywhere' vehicle. Design with character The Audi Pikes Peak quattro is a typical Audi interpretation of what form a striking, sporty crossover model with strong premium affinities could take. Generous curves, clearly defined outlines and muscular, taut surfaces of large area are here united in an architecture in which tranquil beauty and athletic tension create an intriguing contrast. The outer surfaces, accented with swage-lines and interesting panel gap patterns, add vitality to the styling. To strengthen this impression, a bright "Polar Silver" metallic paint finish has been chosen. Although the Audi Pikes Peak quattro conveys a strong impression of strength and security, it cannot be said to lack sporty elegance. At the front, the Audi Pikes Peak quattro has a radiator grill divided into two sections horizontally, with a boldly shaped surrounding frame. Many of the visible details of the Audi Pikes Peak quattro are equally striking. The Xenon Plus headlamps behind clear glass covers communicate the technical aspect of their design, and supply a magnificent spread of light for fast driving on the highway or to find a way along loose-surfaced tracks after dark. The use of LEDs as a light source permits the fog lamps to be extremely compact and permits boldly styled rear lights to be used. The loop-pattern door handles on the Audi Pikes Peak quattro only extend when the advanced key function's proximity sensor has detected that an authorized key holder wishes to enter the car. Door handle lights then come on too. This remarkable approach to car access combines the visual elegance of flush-mounted door handles with the substantial feel of those with a loop for the driver or passenger to grasp. The outside mirrors are also used to illuminate the area close to the vehicle. A camera has been built into the mirror at the right, and focused on the right front wheel. This 'dead area' is then displayed on the MMI screen so that the driver can judge the clearance or the distance from the edge of the road more effectively when crossing difficult terrain. Evidence of the dynamic properties of the Audi Pikes Peak quattro is provided by the massive wheels with 5-arm double spokes (from the outside, these have the appearance of two star-pattern wheels one behind the other) and the tires with a specially developed tread pattern. PAX wheels of size 295/770 R 560 A (equivalent to a visible wheel diameter of 20.6 inches) help to keep the vehicle controllable if there is a sudden loss of tire pressure. Their 'run-flat' construction means that mobility is maintained if a tire failure should occur, and the vehicle can be driven for up to 125 miles(200 kilometers) at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
