Photo: Mircea Panait
Even though they share the same platform, Audi doesn't offer an allroad version of the A8, like it does with the A6. Shocking, right? The third prologue concept they've made answer that very important question nobody asks: what if the Germans made a really big, expensive softroader wagon?
The press statement suggests the Prologue allroad shown at Auto Shanghai 2015 “reflects a fresh interpretation of the typical allroad themes, providing a clear glimpse at the brand’s design future”.
But it's so much more than that. For starters, it comes with all the toys the next A8 will have, starting with OLED displays and ending with amazing driver assist functions.
I'm not sure which is the most powerful A6 Allroad model at the moment, but it's either the 320 PS twin-turbo diesel or a supercharged V6. Either way, it packs about 300 ponies. This concept has more than twice that and when we found out that little bit of information, we gave Audi the slow clap.
It also comes with sophisticated next-gen adaptive suspension and all-wheel steering, just to name a few features you can't buy in today's Audis.
With 0 to 100 km/h taking only 3.5 seconds, only the R8 V10 Plus is faster. Remember, this concept is a preview for a family wagon, so it's like giving your mom a Lamborghini to drive the kids to school.
The fact that a 14.1 kWh battery has been swallowed up by the underbelly of this best doesn't surprise you, right? But it's the first time a new AWC (Audi wireless charging) technology has been integrated, something that should make its way into production cars by the end of this decade.
With its help, the Vorsprung durch Technik engineers tell us average fuel consumptions stands just at 2.4 liters per 100 km (98 US mpg) which corresponds to 56 grams CO2 per kilometer.
The grille is of a unique design in the Audi world. Each individual bar is made up of several thin aluminum pieces, and they are all sandwiched together. You can thank their new design chief Marc Lichte for the cool look of the Matrix LED headlights.
But it's so much more than that. For starters, it comes with all the toys the next A8 will have, starting with OLED displays and ending with amazing driver assist functions.
I'm not sure which is the most powerful A6 Allroad model at the moment, but it's either the 320 PS twin-turbo diesel or a supercharged V6. Either way, it packs about 300 ponies. This concept has more than twice that and when we found out that little bit of information, we gave Audi the slow clap.
It also comes with sophisticated next-gen adaptive suspension and all-wheel steering, just to name a few features you can't buy in today's Audis.
The engine: brutish efficiency
A hybrid powertrain has been created specifically for this concept, and it's one of the most powerful ever. It combines the 4-liter TFSI twin-turbo from the RS6/7 with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. Combined, they offer a thumping 734 PS (540 kW) and 900 Nm (663.8 lb-ft).With 0 to 100 km/h taking only 3.5 seconds, only the R8 V10 Plus is faster. Remember, this concept is a preview for a family wagon, so it's like giving your mom a Lamborghini to drive the kids to school.
The fact that a 14.1 kWh battery has been swallowed up by the underbelly of this best doesn't surprise you, right? But it's the first time a new AWC (Audi wireless charging) technology has been integrated, something that should make its way into production cars by the end of this decade.
With its help, the Vorsprung durch Technik engineers tell us average fuel consumptions stands just at 2.4 liters per 100 km (98 US mpg) which corresponds to 56 grams CO2 per kilometer.
The design: practical beauty
Compared to the A6 allroad quattro, this concept is positively massive. From bumper to bumper, it's 5.13-meter long and sits 77mm taller than the Prologue Avant shown earlier. It features pronounced C-shaped LED lights in the front air intakes, chunky body cladding and the sloping roof of a CLA Shooting Brake.The grille is of a unique design in the Audi world. Each individual bar is made up of several thin aluminum pieces, and they are all sandwiched together. You can thank their new design chief Marc Lichte for the cool look of the Matrix LED headlights.
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