RSS
Home
Detroit Auto Show: Audi Sportback concept, a luxury hatchback Americans could love
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Americans have not cottoned to high-end hatchbacks, so for Audi to give the Sportback concept its world debut in the very epicenter of the American automobile, in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show, well, how does one say chutzpa in German?
For no matter what Audi may call the Sportback concept—“a five-door model” with a “coupé-like silhouette and a large rear hatch,” Americans are likely to look at it with that fifth “door” open and say “Hatchback,” And when Americans think hatchback they think economy car. Case in point: The most popular version of the prior generation Mazda6 was the sedan, despite the availability of and greater practicality of a hatchback or station wagon.
Yet bless our stony little American hearts, the Audi Sportback concept is just too pretty to take issue with that fifth door. Audi says that the “design of the Audi Sportback concept is characterized by an almost monolithic clarity and a vast reduction of the number of lines” and that the “roof, shoulder and sill lines appear to have been drawn with a single stroke.” Whatever, the roofline extends almost to the slight duckbill and does so with a slight negative curve that keeps the design from becoming tail-heavy.Up front, Audi’s “single frame” grill is even bolder than current models while the headlight design seems to have been borrowed from the Empire’s stormtrooper helmets. It is, overall, a shape that cannot go unnoticed and as a harbinger future Audi design elements, it promises a continuation of Audi’s winning streak.
The interior is a change for Audi. Instead of a rather sterile if high quality design of current Audi models, the Sportback concept’s insides are almost Infiniti-expressive. The traditional Audi interiors have a good-for-you look, but the Sportback concept simply looks delicious, as if styled by a pastry chef, at least if pastry chefs work in horizontal wood slats. And indeed, there’s has a horizontal ridge across that dash pointing at the front seat passenger that looks scary sitting still, much less what it would do in an accident. Somewhere, Ralph Nader is having apoplexy.
Speaking of such, there’s enough leather in the Sportback concept for an entire PETA chapter to take of their clothes in protest.
A trick we’re likely to see in future Audi products is an ultra-thin LCD screen that slides horizontally out of the dash and then pivot to vertical. It not only looks slick in operation but also places the screen higher than the dash so the driver doesn’t have to take his eyes far from the road to see it.
Under the hood, the Audi Sportback concept is fitted with Audi’s super-clean 3.0-liter V-6 diesel that will be used in the soon-to-arrive Audi Q7 TDI. The diesel has precision piezo fuel injectors and a sensor that can read the temperature within the combustion chamber for even finer fuel calibration. It’s the first time that such sensors have been used on any engine in the world. AdBlue—urea, and it is what it sounds like—is injected into the exhaust to remove nitrogen oxides (NOx). The diesel is also equipped with an oxidizing catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter. The result is an engine with emissions legal anywhere in the world, even—as Audi notes—California.
Audi claims a “fuel-efficiency advantage” of 40 percent (he asks, over gasoline?) on the European ECE cycle, achieving a phenomenal 39 mpg. It’s not all just a fuel-stingy engine.A novel feature that helps the engine warm faster is diverting coolant flow, a significant factor, says Audi, because most trips are short and a warm engine is a happy engine. Transmissions are happier when warm too, so Audi has equipped the transmission with an oil heater for reduced mechanical drag.
The engine also has an automatic start-stop system shuts off engine when stopped at a traffic signal or other temporary stop for further fuel savings.
Audi elected to showcase its ultra-clean six-cylinder 3.0-liter TDI diesel in the Sportback concept. It’s equipped with a full roster of diesel exhaust scrubbing technology, including AdBlue, which Audi calls “a biologically degradable, waterborne additive.” (Psst, it’s really urea, an organic—chemically speaking—compound, that is what it sounds like, sorta, used to removed oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from the exhaust.). It requires a tank, metering unit and heated lines, the tank needing a refill with every oil change.
Also downstream from the engine are an oxidizing catalyst and a diesel particulate trap with collects and periodically burns off the particulate matter it collects. The engine produces an ultra-clean diesel exhaust even before it’s cleaned up, however, starting with precise piezo injectors operating at 2,000 bar (approximately 29,000 psi). A novel system of combustion chamber sensors adds to the precision of the combustion process, a world’s first, for any engine, claims Audi.
Squeaky clean as it is, the V-6 diesel produces about 225 horsepower but an asphalt-wrinkling 406 lb-ft of torque. The Sportback concept is equipped with Audi’s most advanced transmission, the new seven-speed Tiptronic, and naturally quattro all-wheel drive.
The Audi Sportback concept weighs in at 3968 lbs, just under and a toddler shy two tons, but the diesel will push it to sixty in under seven seconds, says Audi, with a top speed of 152 mph. The top speed as well as acceleration and fuel economy is also due in part to a not-world-beating 0.30 coefficient of drag. The new Mercedes C-Class and Toyota Prius set current standard for production cars with a 0.25 Cd.The chassis borrows from the Audi A4/A5 with new five-link front suspension and by moving the differential forward and the clutch further back, Audi engineers were able to position the front axle six inches further forward for better balance—essentially the engine is six inches further behind the front axle—which should reduce the notorious front-heavy weight distribution of Audis.
To minimize unsprung weight all of the front suspension links are forged aluminum, as are the upper control arms and the track rods at the rear. For a smoother yet better controlled ride, the Sportback concept has continuous damping control similar to that already used on Audi’s Q7 sport-utility.
The Audi Sportback concept’s brakes have lightweight ceramic disc that offer higher resistance to fading and also last longer. The front discs are 14.95 inches in diameter and the rear discs 14.02 inches, and both have “elaborate cooling duct geometry. Front brake calipers are 6-piston monoblock aluminum with six piston, the rears have floating calipers.
Mechanically the Audi Sportback concept looks ready for a late in 2009 introduction. We’ll see it as the A7 in Audi’s model naming scheme, and you can look forward to an S and an RS model too, we’d think. No doubt the tooling is getting its finishing 
touches right now. We hope that the exterior is set—though the face, and particularly the headlights, with probably see changes. The interior, the way these things usually go, will be pulled back somewhat, but that still means for Audi to a less Teutonic, more organic Infiniti-like style. Even Germans have to loosen up a little occasionally.
touches right now. We hope that the exterior is set—though the face, and particularly the headlights, with probably see changes. The interior, the way these things usually go, will be pulled back somewhat, but that still means for Audi to a less Teutonic, more organic Infiniti-like style. Even Germans have to loosen up a little occasionally.Maybe that’s what it will take to make Americans loosen up a little about hatchbacks in the premium class. The white upholstery, however, would be difficult enough to keep clean and Audi, that white carpet in the Audi Sportback concept will have to go. Even if you get Americans to drive upscale hatchbacks, you won’t get Americans to take their shoes off every time we get into your car. Michigan gets messy in the winter.
Illustrations: Exterior photos Audi Sportback concept at 2009 Detroit Auto Show, photo by John Matras. Interior photo: Stefan Sielaff, Head of Audi Design sitting in the Audi Sportback. Photo courtesy Audi of America.
| Engine | 3.0L V-6 turbodiesel |
| Horsepower | 225 |
| Torque, lb-ft | 406 |
| Transmission | 7-speed tiptronic auto. |
| Layout | Front engine/all-wheel drive |
| Seating | 2, 2 |
| Length, in. | 194.9 |
| Width, in. | 76.0 |
| Height, in. | 55.1 |
| Cargo cap., du. ft. | 17.66 |
| Weight, lb | 3,968 |
| Wheels, dia., in | 21 |
| Brake, disc, dia., f/r | Ceramic ventilated, 14.96 / 14.02 |
| Brake caliper, f/r | 6-piston monobloc aluminum / floating caliper |
| Fuel mpg, EU ICI | 39.87 |
| 0-60 mph, sec. | Less than 7.0 |
| Top speed, mph | 152 |
You might also enjoy these:
Subscribe! It's free. Click on "subcribe" below.
Related Articles:
Comments
While General Motors was announcing this morning that it is considering offers from several suitors for its ailing Saab Automobiles subsidiary, Spyker …
Saab isn't dead yet. Despite--or more likely, because of--General Motor's announcement that it was going to "wind down" Saab's operations, …
- 2011 Kia Sorento EX V6
- 2010 Reviews
- 2010 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI
- 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
- 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet
- 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS
- 2010 Chevrolet Equinox AWD 2LT
- 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
- 2010 Ford Taurus Limited AWD
- 2010 Ford Taurus SHO
- 2010 GMC Terrain SLT1 FWD
- 2010 Hyundai Elantra SE
- 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track
- 2010 Kia Forte
- 2010 Kia Soul
- 2010 Lexus HS 250h
- 2010 Lexus IS 350 C
- 2010 Lexus RX350
- 2010 Lexus RX 450h
- 2010 Mazda CX-7 i Sport
- 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
- 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
- 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
- 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic
- 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
- 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid
- 2010 Nissan Cube 1.8 Krom
- 2010 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Hatchback
- 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S
- 2010 Toyota Prius
- 2010 Toyota Prius II
- 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI
- 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI
- 2009 Reviews
- 2009 Acura TSX
- 2009 Audi A4 Avant 2.0T quattro
- 2009 Audi A6 3.0 TSFI
- 2009 BMW 135i Coupe
- 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive 3.5i
- 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 4WD
- 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT
- 2009 Chevrolet Kodiak pickup truck
- 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
- 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
- 2009 Chevrolet Traverse FWD LTZ
- 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic
- 2009 Dodge Journey SXT AWD
- 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Quad 4x4
- 2009 Ford Fiesta
- 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
- 2009 Ford Fusion SEL I-4
- 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-2
- 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
- 2009 Honda Fit Sport w/Nav
- 2009 Honda Ridgeline RTL
- 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8
- 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible
- 2009 Infiniti M45x
- 2009 Jaguar XF Premium Luxury
- 2009 Jaguar XKR Porfolio Coupe
- 2009 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4
- 2009 Kia Borrego
- 2009 Kia Borrego EX 4x4
- 2009 Land Rover LR3
- 2009 Lincoln MKZ
- 2009 Lotus Exige S 260 Sport
- 2009 Lotus Exige S
- 2009 Maserati Quattroporte S
- 2009 Mazda Mazda6 s Grand Touring
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
- 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS 4WD
- 2009 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring
- 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport
- 2009 Nissan Murano SL AWD
- 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z
- 2009 Pontiac G6 4-cyl
- 2009 Pontiac G8
- 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
- 2009 Pontiac Vibe AWD
- 2009 Porsche Boxster RS60
- 2009 Saturn Aura XR 4-cyl
- 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid
- 2009 Scion xB
- 2009 Subaru Legacy 3.0R Limited
- 2009 Suzuki SX4 Crossover AWD Technology
- 2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner
- 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Highlander/Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Matrix XRS
- 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4-cyl. 4WD
- 2009 Toyota Sequoia Platinum
- 2009 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD
- 2009 Toyota Venza 4-cyl. AWD
- 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
- 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 4Matic
- 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI
- 2008 Reviews
- 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell
- 2008 Bentley Continental GT
- 2008 BMW X6 xDrive 5.0i
- 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
- 2008 Kia Amanti
- 2008 Lexus IS-F
- 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring PRHT
- 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR
- 2008 Nissan Cube JDM
- 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line
- 2008 Scion xD
- 2008 Volkswagen Passat Turbo
- 2008 Volkswagen Toureg V8
- 2008 Volvo XC70 3.2
- 2008 Volvo XC70 D5
- 1971 Honda N600
