What: Audi Sport quattro concept
Model Family: N/A
Debuted: 2013 Frankfurt IAA
Year: 2013
Number Produced: 1, possibly 2
Model / Generation Code(s): N/A
Chassis / Matrix: N/A
Engine: 4.0 TFSI Biturbo V8 plug-in-hybrid
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 700 hp (combined)
Peak Torque: 590 lb ft (combined)
Weight: 4,079 lb
Acceleration (0-100 km / 62 mph: 3.7 seconds
Paint Color: Energy Yellow
RELATED
Concept Cars: Sport quattro laserlight concept
Road Cars: N/A
Race Cars: N/A
SUMMARY
The Audi Sport quattro concept is a high-performance plug-in hybrid coupé unveiled at the 2013 Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt. Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original 1983 Audi Sport quattro, the concept was envisioned as a modern interpretation of Audi’s most iconic rally-derived homologation model. With a system output of 515 kW (700 hp) and a design rooted in the quattro philosophy, it represented one of the most advanced performance studies produced by Audi to date. A red version of the car, known as the Sport quattro laserlight concept, was later shown at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, likely representing the same vehicle refinished and updated to showcase new lighting technology.
BACKGROUND
The debut of the Sport quattro concept marked the continuation of a lineage stretching back to the “Ur-quattro” of 1980 and the homologation-spec Sport quattro of 1983. The original Sport quattro’s shortened wheelbase, blistered arches, and competition pedigree—and its historic victory at the 1987 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb under Walter Röhrl—cemented its status as a motorsport legend. Audi positioned the 2013 concept as a spiritual successor that translated those historic themes into contemporary form, technology, and performance.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The Sport quattro concept adopted a dramatic and muscular coupé profile characterized by short overhangs, a long hood, and a sharply raked greenhouse. The concept measured 4,602 mm in length, 1,964 mm in width, and just 1,386 mm in height, riding on a 2,784-mm wheelbase. These proportions created an assertive stance, with the body visually perched atop 21-inch center-locking wheels.
Its exterior design blended modern surfaces with distinct references to the early quattro era. Angular, flat C-pillars echoed the 1980s originals, while strongly accentuated “blisters” over the fenders reinterpreted Audi’s classic rally-inspired forms. The front end was dominated by a hexagonal single-frame grille featuring a sculpted insert with vertical lower geometry inspired by motorsport air inlets. Twin vertical blades divided the large lower air intakes, and a prominent CFRP splitter projected forward to emphasize width and ground effect.
A signature design element was the pair of rectangular Matrix LED headlamps—the first application of Audi’s then-new Matrix LED technology on a concept vehicle. Their exposed heat sinks and minimal housings highlighted a lightweight design philosophy. At the rear, a flat greenhouse met broad shoulders and a sharply drawn tail accented by rectangular LED tail lamps mounted on a black CFRP panel. A large CFRP diffuser with honeycomb upper section housed two oval tailpipes, while an active spoiler deployed from the rear hatch at speed. The luggage compartment offered 300 liters of capacity.
Additional details included flared CFRP sills, automatically deploying power door handles, distinctive air outlets behind the front wheels, and Audi’s four-ring logos integrated across multiple exterior surfaces.
INTERIOR DESIGN
The interior combined racing-inspired minimalism with refined materials. Dark gray tones, sharp lines, and clear geometric forms shaped a cockpit focused squarely on the driver. A continuous beltline beneath the windshield framed the cabin while integrating functional elements such as door openers and interface components.
Lightweight construction was a central theme. The dashboard’s slim profile recalled an aircraft wing, and the cabin’s support structure doubled as storage in the door panels, rendered visibly as a carbon shell. The center console, which housed the quattro driveline beneath it, ran uninterrupted through the interior and anchored the car’s structural rigidity.
The Sport quattro concept introduced a fully digital instrument cluster capable of multiple virtual 3D display modes. Via the multifunction steering wheel, the driver could select layouts such as Race mode—with a central speedometer, track displays, and timing functions—or Setup mode, which provided detailed circuit-based information. The MMI control unit utilized a touchwheel for data entry, reflecting Audi’s forward-looking approach to infotainment ergonomics.
Innovative air-conditioning controls were integrated directly into the air vents. Temperature, flow, and intensity were adjusted via a single control element, and the vent displays alternated between HVAC and media information.
Seating consisted of lightweight bucket seats with folding backs, sculpted bolsters, and integrated head restraints. The folding mechanism provided access to the rear seats, creating a 2+2 configuration. A crossbeam behind the rear seats added further structural rigidity.
POWERTRAIN
At the center of the concept was a plug-in hybrid system combining a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 TFSI engine with a disc-shaped electric motor positioned between the engine and an eight-speed tiptronic transmission. The V8 produced 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm of torque, featuring Cylinder on Demand technology and a start-stop system for improved efficiency. Working in tandem, the V8 and electric motor delivered a combined 515 kW (700 hp) and 800 Nm of torque.
The electric motor generated 110 kW and 400 Nm, drawing energy from a liquid-cooled 14.1-kWh lithium-ion battery mounted in the rear. The vehicle offered an electric-only range of up to 50 km and could be charged via an Audi wall box capable of intelligent charge management.
The driver could select from three powertrain modes:
- EV mode: Pure electric driving for urban and low-speed travel.
- Hybrid mode: Efficiency-optimized operation using navigation and route data for predictive energy management, including Hold and Charge functions to manage battery state.
- Sport mode: Maximum performance, with electric boost assisting the combustion engine at all times.
When both power sources operated together, the Sport quattro concept accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and achieved a top speed of 305 km/h. Fuel consumption was rated at 2.5 liters per 100 km, corresponding to 59 g/km of CO2.
CONSTRUCTION & CHASSIS
Audi employed a multi-material lightweight construction strategy to achieve a curb weight of approximately 1,850 kg including the battery. The occupant cell combined ultra-high-strength steels with cast aluminum structural components. Aluminum was also used extensively for the doors and fenders, while the roof, hood, and rear hatch were constructed from carbon fiber–reinforced polymer.
The chassis featured a five-link front suspension and a trapezoidal-link rear setup, tuned with taut springs and dampers for precise handling. Dynamic steering varied its ratio based on speed, and the braking system used large carbon-ceramic discs. Tires were sized 285/30 R21.
SPORT QUATTRO LASERLIGHT CONCEPT
In January 2014, Audi displayed a refreshed version of the concept—finished in bright red—at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Badged the Sport quattro laserlight concept, the update showcased Audi’s emerging laser high-beam lighting technology. While cosmetically revised, the CES car was believed to be the original 2013 concept repainted and reconfigured to highlight its advanced lighting systems, including a combination of Matrix LED and laser diodes designed for long-range illumination.
SIGNIFICANCE
The Audi Sport quattro concept served as a modern homage to one of Audi’s most storied performance icons, blending quattro heritage with advanced electrification, lightweight construction, and next-generation driver interfaces. Though it did not enter production, the concept influenced Audi’s subsequent design language, hybrid strategy, and lighting technologies, reaffirming the brand’s long-standing connection between innovation, motorsport legacy, and all-wheel-drive performance philosophy.
PHOTO GALLERY
PRESS RELEASE
09.03.2010, source: Audi AG
Frankfurt IAA 2013 – Audi Sport quattro concept
Audi Sport quattro concept
09/04/2013
Audi
quattro is Audi and Audi is quattro – the brand and the technology are indelibly linked. In celebration of the 30th birthday of the Sport quattro, Audi will present its legitimate successor at the 2013 IAA in Frankfurt am Main. The Audi Sport quattro concept show car continues the grand quattro tradition, with a stunning coupe design and plug-in hybrid drive with a system output of 515 kW (700 hp).
quattro is more than just a technology – quattro is a philosophy. The term stands for driving safety and sportiness, technical competence and a dynamic approach to life. Since the debut of the “Ur-quattro” in 1980, Audi has sold more than five million cars with permanent all-wheel drive, far more than any other premium manufacturer worldwide. The strengths of the quattro concept and its successes in racing have been impressively displayed for over three decades now.
One legendary Audi classic is the Sport quattro, which made its debut at the 1983 IAA and was designed as a homologation model for the World Rally Championship. With 225 kW (306 hp) and many technical innovations, it was the supercar of its day. The short wheelbase, which honed the handling, gave the Sport quattro an unmistakable look. The competition car wrote racing history. Walter Röhrl drove it to a convincing victory in the 1987 Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, U.S.A.
Exterior design: powerful and eye-catching
With the Audi Sport quattro concept show car, Audi is bringing this grand tradition into the present and taking up ideas again that were first seen in the Audi quattro concept study three years ago. The coupe combines the DNA of the Ur-quattro with dramatic elegance. It has a powerful, intense road stance, its body tautly perched over the 21-inch wheels. The overhangs are short, the proportions sportily balanced.
With a wheelbase of 2,784 millimeters (109.61 in), it is 4,602 millimeters (181.18 in) long. With 1,964 millimeters (77.32 in), the two-door model is very wide and at just 1,386 millimeters (54.57 in) unusually low-slung.
Like the Audi Sport quattro, the Audi Sport quattro concept was designed in the spirit of racing. None of its design solutions are an end unto themselves. Each is driven by a technical function, and several are an homage to the quattro models of the early 1980s. These include the angular, flat C-pillars and the rectangular double headlights featuring Audi’s groundbreaking Matrix LED technology, which will be available by the end of this year in the refreshed Audi A8.
Two very flat structures are visible inside the headlight. The wrap-around daytime running lights together with the central low-beam units and the Audi Matrix LED make for a sporty, determined look. The headlights and tail lights are a reinterpretation of lightweight construction. The headlights forsake fascia, exposing the LED heat sinks, while the tail lights reduce glass and housing to a minimum.
The LED high-beam unit of the Audi Matrix LED headlights is comprised of numerous individual diodes. The individual LEDs, which work in tandem with upstream lenses and reflectors, always deliver excellent illumination. They are activated, deactivated or dimmed individually according to the situation. With the number of LEDs, their arrangement and the size and design of the headlights, the new technology offers many fascinating possibilities.
Another design homage are the “blisters” above the fenders. The Audi designers have reinterpreted and strongly accentuated these lines. They give the body even greater emotional appeal and broad shoulders. Throughout the car, sharp contours frame tautly muscular surfaces. With their interplay between convex and concave curvatures, the engine hood, fenders and flanks define the athletic character of the Audi Sport quattro concept.
New details: the single-frame grille
The front of the show car is characterized by the hexagonal single-frame grille with a new, sculpted grille insert, a typical element borrowed from racing. Its lower section is virtually vertical; the upper section follows the line of the engine hood. The low grille emphasizes the width of the car. Two large, vertical blades divide each of the large air inlets, and their form is taken up by the creases in the engine hood. The CFRP splitter is shifted far to the front, as on a race car. The grille is part of Audi’s new design philosophy and provides a first glimpse at the future design of the sporty production models.
The proportions of the rear of the car are defined by the combination of a flat greenhouse and broad shoulders. The spoiler at the lower edge of the rear window underscores the car’s width. Another distinctive element at the rear of the show car is the CFRP diffuser, which extends far upward. Similar to the single-frame grille, its upper section is honeycombed, whereas the lower section houses two large, oval tailpipes. Mounted on a black CFRP facing, the tail lights are rectangular – a typical quattro styling cue – and emphasize the width of the car. A spoiler extends from the rear hatch at higher speeds. The luggage compartment, which is reinforced by a solid crossbeam beneath the rear shelf, has a capacity of 300 liters (10.59 cubic ft).
Precisely penned details round out the dynamic look of the Audi Sport quattro concept. The flared sills are made of CFRP; the power door handles extend automatically to meet an approaching hand. The four rings adorn the front, the rear, the air outlets behind the front wheels and the C-pillars. The center-locking wheels feature a five twin-spoke design.
Interior: racing meets elegance
The concept of elegant sportiness carries over to the interior of the Audi Sport quattro concept. The spacious cabin is awash in dark gray tones and precise lines.
The interior is focused on the driver. The steering wheel, digital instrument cluster and head-up display are all in the direct field of view. A line running below the windshield encircles both the driver and passenger and integrates all ergonomic functions such as the door openers.
The lightweight construction typical for Audi is reflected both in the design and in the choice of materials. Viewed from above, the slim dashboard is reminiscent of the wing of a sailplane. The support structure of the interior is a carbon shell that also serves as a storage compartment in the side doors. Elements like this make lightweight construction visible.
The quattro drivetrain runs beneath the continuous center console. Sporty racing bucket seats with folding backs, sculpted side bolsters and integrated head restraints up front and full rear seats offer space for four. The folding mechanism provides access to the rear. A crossbeam behind the rear seats provides for additional rigidity.
Great attention to detail is reflected in both the choice of materials and the workmanship. The multifunction sport steering wheel provides a glimpse into future sporty production models.
The control concept is also focused on the driver. All important information is displayed in the fully digital instrument cluster, another show car feature. The multifunction sport steering wheel is used to switch between a number of virtual 3D displays.
Choices include a Race mode with central speedometer, track information and a stopwatch, for example, or the Setup mode with detailed information about numerous race tracks. In addition, the touchwheel of the characteristic Audi MMI control unit makes it easy to enter information.
Another highlight is the innovative air conditioning control unit, which is integrated directly into the air vents. Temperature, intensity and air flow can be controlled using one and the same element. The display in the vents shows either important media information or the air conditioning settings.
Powerful performance: the plug-in hybrid drive
The plug-in hybrid drive makes the Audi Sport quattro concept a breathtakingly dynamic coupe. System output is 515 kW (700 hp); system torque is 800 Nm (590.05 lb-ft). Power flows through a modified eight-speed tiptronic to the quattro powertrain, which features a sport differential on the rear axle. According to the applicable standard, the show car consumes on average 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (94.09 US mpg), a CO2 equivalent of 59 grams per kilometer (94.95 g/mile).
The combustion engine is a four-liter, twin-turbo V8. It produces 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm (516.29 lb-ft) of torque. The cylinder on demand (COD) system, which deactivates four cylinders under part load, and a start-stop system make the sonorous eight-cylinder unit very efficient.
Located between the 4.0 TFSI and the transmission is a disc-shaped electric motor producing 110 kW and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft). It draws its traction energy from a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery in the rear with a capacity of 14.1 kWh. The show car is charged via an Audi wall box, which uses intelligent charge management to ensure the optimal feed of energy to the lithium-ion battery. The Audi Sport quattro concept can cover up to 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) on electric power alone. An intelligent management system controls the interplay between the two drives as needed, and the driver can choose between various operating modes.
The customer can choose between various characteristics for the Audi Sport quattro concept depending on the operating and driving strategy. A choice of three modes is available. EV mode is for purely electric driving; Hybrid mode for maximum efficiency and Sport mode for maximum performance.
In EV mode, only the electric motor is active. With a peak electric output of 110 kW and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) of torque, electric driving both inside and outside the city is possible. An active accelerator indicates the transition to hybrid operation to the driver so that he/she can consciously control the switch between electric and hybrid vehicle.
In Hybrid mode, environmental and route data are used to compute the optimal use of the electric motor and combustion engine for fuel efficiency and implement this via the operating strategy. If navigation is active, the route is optimized for efficiency. This mode also includes the ability to customize the operating strategy. If the driver wants to retain a certain amount of electric range or to drive certain route segments on electric power, they can use the Hold or Charge function to precisely adjust the charge of the battery even without charging from the power grid.
In Sport mode, the operating strategy sets the drive system for maximum power and performance. The electric boost function supports the combustion engine in all driving situations. The energy management system ensures that the battery always has sufficient charge.
When the V8 and the electric motor work together, the Audi Sport quattro concept accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.7 seconds – much like the powerful Audi rally cars once did. Its top speed is 305 km/h (189.52 mph). The lightweight construction concept also plays a large part in this dynamic performance. The occupant cell combines ultra-high-strength steel panels and cast aluminum structural elements. The doors and fenders are made of aluminum, and the roof, the engine hood and the rear hatch are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. The result is a curb weight including the battery pack of just 1,850 kilograms (4,078.55 lb).
The show car’s chassis is easily able to handle the drive system’s power. Handling is as dynamic as it is stable. The front suspension features five control arms per wheel; the rear suspension follows the Audi track-controlled trapezoidal link principle. Tautly tuned springs and dampers connect the Audi Sport quattro concept firmly to the road. The dynamic steering varies its ratio as a function of driving speed. The brake calipers grip large, carbon fiber-ceramic brake discs, and the tire format is 285/30 R 21.