At the ongoing 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, German car manufacturer Audi showcased its prowess by unveiling four new models. The company made headlines in auto industry by showcasing two concept cars that drew a lot of appreciation, besides two production meant models. Coming to concept cars first, Audi showed the world what it is capable of by unveiling its Sport Quattro concept and Nanuk Quattro concept. While for production models, the car maker with four rings took the curtains off its A3 Cabriolet and A3 E-tron plug-in hybrid hatchback that will soon hit American markets.
In the Nanuk Quattro concept, the Audi showcased the wide and flat body design, which was built in collaboration by Audi and Italian design firm Italdesign Giugiaro, a company owned by Volkswagen Group. The Nanuk concept features a 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V-10 diesel engine that is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It generates 544 bhp of peak output while having 1000 Nm of torque. As claimed by the company, with this engine the car can reach 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.8 seconds. The kerb weight stands around 1900 kg despite the fact that the whole body has been designed using the light weight aluminium frame and carbon-fibre body.
While for the Sport Quattro concept, the car maker has relied on using the plug-in hybrid concept to honour the 30th anniversary of the company's legendary Sport Quattro car, which was sold in limited numbers globally. Likewise the 1983 version, the new concept design is somewhat based on the same lines having two-doors alongside the all-wheel drive system. The Sport Quattro concept is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that works in tandem with an electric motor, giving a cumulative output of 700 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided in the concept transmits the power to the rear wheels of the car.
Talking about the production models, Audi unveiled its one plug-in A3 Sportback E-tron hybrid car and this technology will provided on the hatchback version of A3 rather than sedan one. Powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, the car produces a combined output of 204 bhp and 340 Nm of torque. Audi told that the new A3 E-tron can clock 0 to 100 kmph in just 7.6 seconds, Audi said. The company further added that this car can travel up to 50 km on electric motor and will first be on sale in US by the end of 2015.
On the other hand, the second model that Audi showcased was A3 cabriolet, which made headlines long before 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show due to its leaked specifications and features. The car will be provided under different engine options including a faster S3 version. As told by the company, the standard engine will be the 1.8-litre 4-cylinder one that makes 180 bhp. This engine will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission system as revealed by Audi. The four-seater A3 cabriolet will have soft-top that will be fully automatic and it is said that it can open and close in around 18 seconds.
