The Germans put on quite an appearance in China this year. Alongside its
rival from Munich, Ingolstadt-based Audi showed off the Cross Coupé concept at Auto Shanghai, a subtly disguised version of what we expect to be the upcoming Q3.
Taking many styling cues from the
Roadjet concept unveiled last year, the Cross Coupé concept is not a coupé in the traditional sense. Instead, the concept "combines the design and dynamism of a compact premium sports car with the spaciousness and versatility of a four-seat SUV", according to Audi.
So now that it's been adequately defined, what is it all about? For starters, the Cross Coupé is small. Measuring just 4380mm long and 1820mm wide, it is only slightly larger than the
Audi A3 Sportback, the car with which it shares its platform. The difference is in its 1600mm height (180mm taller than the A3) and its 2600mm wheelbase.
Audi's corporate face adorns the front end of the Cross Coupé concept and is flanked by slim LED headlamps. A pronounced shoulder line running the length of the car is a defining Audi trait, as is the recessed crease in the door panels above extended side sills. Long horizontal LED tail lamps (similar to those fitted to the Roadjet concept and production Q7) dominate the rear fascia and a steeply raked rear window lends it the coupé styling. The roofline incorporates a subtle curve, sloping gradually toward large D-pillars at the rear. An electrically-operated full-length canvas top housed between the roof rails and the frameless side windows open up the cabin to alfresco motoring.
The concept's powerplant is a 2-litre direct-injection common-rail diesel engine producing 200bhp and 295lb.ft of torque and fitted with a Bluetec urea-injection system, co-developed by parent company Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz. With 100bhp and nearly 150lb.ft of twist per litre the concept should be relatively quick, and is backed up by a DSG-style transmission that transfers power to a Haldex all-wheel drive system. A McPherson front and four-link rear suspension setup (featuring adjustable electromagnetic dampers at the rear) is claimed to retain on-road stability and agility while being capable through rough terrain. Lightweight ceramic brake discs provide stopping power and are slotted behind large 20-inch wheels.
Among the numerous electronic systems fitted to the Cross Coupé is Audi's MMI drive select system, allowing for different engine, gearbox, steering and adaptive suspension pre-sets. Supplementing the standard 'dynamic' and 'sport' settings is a new 'efficiency' driving program that modifies the engine throttle mapping and transmission shift points to optimise fuel economy.
Like the exterior, the interior of the Cross Coupé concept is suitably well-devised. A contrasting off-white instrument panel and saddle brown leather seating surfaces create a luxurious cockpit with driver-focused controls. Two individual front seats are separated by a large centre console housing the aforementioned MMI system, which operates both the vehicle and infotainment functions and projects information onto the windscreen. A touch pad mounted ahead of the MMI dial is able to recognise finger written characters and process them as commands, while a recognition sensor in the seats allows for intuitive adjustment of the air conditioning, providing indirect ventilation through a perforated trim strip in the dashboard.
The forthcoming small crossover spawned by this Cross Coupé concept will be a formidable competitor to other premium small SUVs, even if all the innovative technology doesn't make it into production. Audi's renowned build quality, mechanical fortitude and quattro prowess will likely bode well for the automaker when production versions become available in 2009. And with increasingly stiff competition in the segment, it seems Audi can't build its iteration fast enough.
Eric Gallina - 21 Apr 2007
