The Audi Roadjet Concept is a fastback saloon design study which gives indications about the future Audi production vehicles in the compact executive class.

Unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, the latest concept vehicle by Audi is very close to a production car: among the main features, the 300hp 3.2 FSI V6 petrol engine and the new 7-speed version of the exclusive DSG transmission.

It is also equipped with a complex cat-to-car communication system, that enables the Roadjet Concept to exchange data directly with other vehicles while on the move, potentially improving numerous aspects of driving, most notably the reduction of congestion, accidents and parking problems.

The Audi drive select enable the driver to change the engine, transmission, suspension damping and steering settings at the touch of a button.

Design

The Roadjet exterior design is deeply affected by the Q7 concept unveiled at Frankfurt in September 2005, especially in the front end and in the side shoulder line.

With 4.70 m of total length and 1.85 m of width, the Audi Roadjet Concept respects the standard dimensions of a D-segment vehicle, yet its height of 1.55 m and wheelbase of 2.85 m result in more space for occupants.

The four individual seats provide a higher seat position and ample legroom, shoulder room and head room.

The interior of the Roadjet Concept also features innovations such as an enhanced version of the Multi Media Interface (MMI) with individual monitors for front and rear passengers, a Digital Voice Support (DVS) in-car communication system and even luxuries such as a built-in espresso machine.

From the official Press Release:

The Audi Roadjet Concept at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show

Engine

The 3.2-litre V6 FSI engine develops 300hp at 7,000 rpm and 330Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The main innovation is the fixed intake manifold and the valvelift system for valve control.

This technology behind is already advanced in development and it could be adopted on production vehicles in a few months' time.

The Roadjet Concept 3.2 FSI accelerates to 62mph in 6.4 seconds, reaches an electronically governed top speed of 155mph and records an impressive 27.1mpg combined consumption figure – an improvement over its production counterpart in the A4 3.2 quattro, which develops 45PS less.

Powertrain

The Audi Roadjet Concept combines the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) with twin clutch in conjunction with a longitudinally installed engine. DSG combines the advantages of a manual gearbox - with 7-speeds in this latest version - with the qualities of a modern automatic transmission providing smooth acceleration without interruptions to the flow of power from the engine, while maintaining fuel efficiency.

Thanks to the use of a twin multi-plate clutch with electro-hydraulic control, two gears can be engaged at the same time.

During dynamic operation of the car, one gear is engaged. When the next gearshift point is approached, the appropriate gear is pre-selected but its clutch kept disengaged. The gearshift process opens the clutch of the activated gear and closes the other clutch at the same time with a certain overlap. The gear change consequently takes place under load, with the result that a permanent flow of power is maintained.

The Audi Roadjet Concept adopts the Latest generation quattro permanent four-wheel drive, coupled with a Torsen differential that automatically ensures the optimum distribution of power between all four wheels. The power is normally split 40:60 between the front and rear axles, but in extreme cases, up to 80 percent of the propulsive power can be diverted to one pair of wheels if slip is encountered.

The suspension layout of the Roadjet Concept features the Audi four-link front suspension set-up and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension carried over from the Audi A8 and A6. The 20-inch wheels are coupled with 245/45 R20 tyres. Other feartures include speed-dependent servotronic power steering that adjusts the steering ratio as a function of road speed, and the electronically adjustable dampers that ranges from comfortably soft to sportily firm.

The Audi Roadjet Concept is equipped with a prototype of information-processing systems named "car-to-car communication" that directly exchanges information within the flow of traffic. The development of this kind of communication devices is possible because virtually all vehicle manufacturers in Europe, the USA and Japan have agreed in parallel to develop a common standard for the hardware and software.

Interior

The Audi Roadjet Concept interprets the architecture of the Audi interior in a new way. The instrument panel envelops the driver's and front passenger's seats in a wide, horizontally split arc. The controls and displays in the dash panel and on the centre console come across on the one hand as organically integrated and on the other as neatly structured and functional.

The four individual seat pans feature integral head restraints, and divide up the interior into four separate zones. Between the rear seats there is a system of rails that can accommodate options that include a storage box with centre armrest, an espresso machine or a baby carrier facing to the rear.

The rear seats themselves can be adjusted along diagonal rails; when opened out into their frontmost position, a centre child's seat can be installed obliquely behind the rear seats if required.

This centre child's seat is guided on rails on the movable luggage compartment floor. It can be folded over and easily removed to the rear. The load area can be further enlarged by folding the rear seat backs forward. The electrically operated movable load area floor pivots automatically to the rear, beyond the bumper, facilitating loading of the vehicle. The rail system integrated into the load area floor incorporates lashing points that can be used to secure the child seat or lash down items being carried, before the load area floor is moved forward again electrically, back into the vehicle.

The convenience function on the remote control enables the driver to extend the load area floor at the same time as the tailgate is opened.The load area floor can be set to two positions inside the vehicle. Its lower position produces the maximum load area capacity; its normal level results in a level load area.Both the comfortable, relatively upright seat position with ample legroom and the ample shoulder room and headroom at all four individual seats set new standards.

A Bang & Olufsen sound system purpose-developed for the Roadjet Concept combines 14 speakers for a total output of more than 1,000 watts. Passengers can also listen to music via Bluetooth headphones. The Digital Voice Support (DVS) picks up the occupants' voices via microphones and reproduces them via the amplifier and speakers, so that they can talk to each other without needing to raise their voices even when the car is travelling at high speeds.

The Multi Media Interface MMI includes the central 10-inch display in the instrument cluster, and separate displays and operating units for the front and rear passengers – including a 7-inch display on the backs of the front seats for the rear passengers. The front passenger views information on a back-projection display on the instrument panel, which also allows them to watch TV while the car is moving.

To avoid distracting the driver, this display is screened off by a shield that extends automatically out of the instrument panel.

The Roadjet Concept does not have traditional sun visors; instead, this function is performed by the use of Vari-Light technology along the upper edge of the windscreen: the degree of transparency of the glass – and therefore of light screening – can be varied electrically, thus enabling the driver to prevent any undesirable glare.

On the Detroit showcar the rear centre armrest incorporates an espresso machine complete with water reservoir, stable cup holders for four cups and accessories.