{"id":6696,"date":"1991-10-26T22:43:00","date_gmt":"1991-10-26T22:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ooooiykyk.com\/audiarchives\/?p=6696"},"modified":"2026-04-06T15:13:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:13:23","slug":"audi-avus-quattro-concept-1991","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ooooiykyk.com\/audiarchives\/1991\/10\/26\/audi-avus-quattro-concept-1991\/","title":{"rendered":"Audi Avus quattro Concept (1991)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What:<\/strong>\u00a0Audi Avus quattro Concept car (design and technology study)
Year:<\/strong> 1991<\/a>
Era:<\/strong>\u00a0Audi Postwar<\/a>
Model Family:<\/strong> Audi Concept Cars<\/a>
Model \/ Generation Code(s):<\/strong>\u00a0
Debut:<\/strong>\u00a01991 Tokyo Motor Show<\/a>
Number Produced:<\/strong>\u00a01 (believed)
Assembly:<\/strong>\u00a0Audi Design Studio, Munich, Germany
Designers:<\/strong> Hartmut Warkuss (design chief), J Mays<\/a> (exterior), Graham Thorpe (interior), under Martin Smith at Audi Design Studio Munich.
Class:<\/strong>\u00a0Mid-engine supercar concept
Body style:<\/strong>\u00a02-door coupe
Layout:<\/strong>\u00a0Mid-engine, quattro all-wheel drive
Engine:<\/strong>\u00a06.0L W12<\/a> (naturally aspirated)
Power output:<\/strong>\u00a0509 hp (375 kW)
Transmission:<\/strong>\u00a06-speed manual
Top speed (claimed):<\/strong>\u00a0340 km\/h (211 mph)
0\u2013100 km\/h (62 mph):<\/strong>\u00a0~3.0 seconds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIMENSIONS<\/strong>
Length:<\/strong> 4,420 mm (174.0 in)
Width:<\/strong> 1,980 mm (78.0 in)
Height:<\/strong> 1,170 mm (46.1 in)
Wheelbase:<\/strong> 2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Weight:<\/strong> ~1,250 kg (2,756 lb)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OVERVIEW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Audi Avus quattro arrived just weeks after the unveiling of the quattro Spyder<\/a>, forming part of a deliberate one-two statement by Audi leadership under Ferdinand Pi\u00ebch. While the Spyder hinted at a production sports car, the Avus quattro was something else entirely\u2014a technological and emotional flagship intended to redefine how Audi was perceived globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unveiled without prior announcement at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, the Avus stunned both press and public. Its polished aluminum body, extreme proportions and exposed W12 engine transformed it into the centerpiece of the show. Internally, the project was as much about repositioning Audi design as it was about engineering. Under design chief Hartmut Warku\u00df, the Avus elevated design to equal footing with engineering within Audi\u2019s corporate identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name \u201cAvus\u201d referenced Berlin\u2019s historic Automobil-Verkehrs- und \u00dcbungsstra\u00dfe circuit, a high-speed proving ground synonymous with Auto Union\u2019s pre-war dominance. By invoking this legacy, Audi directly linked the concept to its Silver Arrows heritage and the technological ambition that defined the brand in the 1930s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DESIGN & FORM LANGUAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Avus quattro was conceived as a modern interpretation of Auto Union Silver Arrows<\/a> Grand Prix racers. Its proportions\u2014low, wide and cab-forward\u2014reflected both aerodynamic efficiency and visual drama. The cockpit sat far forward, while the mid-mounted engine emphasized performance intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key design elements included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n