12 Oct 05 16:07
Audi will use next week's Tokyo Motor Show to launch its Shooting Brake Concept, which the company describes as a "convention-challenging, technology-laden design study".
Inspired by the A4 DTM touring car, the RS Q coupe featured in the film I, Robot and the recently launched RS 4 quattro, the Shooting Brake is a sportscar that combines the characteristics of a hatchback and coupe.
A new Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive damping system - similar to one fitted to some Cadillacs - complements a fully independent suspension that makes the most of the 246bhp 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine with six-speed manual gearbox. This propels it from 0 to 62mph in 6.0 seconds with a limited 155mph maximum speed.
A spacious cabin has been designed to offer plenty of head and knee room, particularly for rear seat passengers, and a load bay with a maximum capacity of 730 litres.
The futuristic interior combines an "Electric White" pearl effect finish for the centre console, door handles and air vent surrounds, with a high-tech synthetic material for the instrument panel, roof and door trims.
The interior also features a new version of the Multi Media Interface operating system (MMI), with 3-D navigation from a new touch screen monitor, on to which destinations can be "written" using the tip of a finger. A character recognition facility also enables it to read handwriting in a wide variety of scripts, and identify characters in the Latin and Japanese alphabets. Destinations and details can also be input via a PDA-style remote control handset.
A chronograph designed using organic light emitting diodes (OLED) is easier to read in adverse conditions than a conventional liquid crystal display (LCD), with information available in analogue and digital forms.
The Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive damping system helps to keep the body flat and composed under duress, replacing conventional damper fluid with a special magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity can be influenced by an electromagnetic field. This effect enables the damping characteristics to be influenced electronically by the application of a voltage to the electromagnets.
The technology enables the Audi Magnetic Ride system to set the correct damping forces for every driving situation to optimise ride comfort and balance. It is governed by computer-controlled sensors that determine the prevailing driving conditions in milliseconds; however the driver can also choose from two optional driving programs, a sports setting, in which the magnetorheological fluid exhibits high viscosity, or a more comfort-biased option.
Audi hasn't yet made a decision on whether the Shooting Brake Concept will go into full production.
