This design study was named after Bernd Rosemeyer, one of the drivers - together with Tazio Nuvolari - who drove the "Silver Arrows" into legend.

This creation from the Audi Design team was the ultimate highlight in the brand presentation at the ‘Autostadt’ in Wolfsburg.

In the original release, Audi claimed "It spans the gap between past and present, between tradition and vision, and continues the line from the past to the present of the brand, its philosophy and its design culture, and on into the future. Its design is not content with quotation and variation, but instead extracts new qualities from historical tradition."

The technical features supposed by Audi for such an extreme sports car are a 16-cylinder mid-engine (like the legendary "Silver Arrows") and the quattro permanent four-wheel drive.

Design

The massive radiator grille at once recalls the historic Auto Union "Silver Arrow" racing cars, and so does the long engine cover falling away to the rear, with its vertical air inlet slots.

Just like the historic "Silver Arrow" cars too, the matt finish body with its brushed aluminium surface catches the light and conjures up an almost magical aura. Boldly shaped air inlets are a formal element at all points on the aluminium body.

Beyond tradition and heritage, Audi’s current design philosophy can be found in the clearly defined outlines, with domed roof, precisely semi-circular wheel arch cutouts and high waistline. These styling cues put the accent on the relationship with the TT model.

The headlight units in the aerodynamically shaped nose seem to focus resolutely on the road: compact, powerful xenon headlights shine behind clear glass covers. The flat lights are protected behind flush-fitting metal panels that slide upwards when the headlights are switched on.

There is plenty of space between the giant wheels in their high upward-curving wheel arches.

A long wheelbase creates space for two occupants and for a large-capacity engine in front of the rear axle.

Short overhangs seemingly hewn from the solid emphasise these proportions and give the side view power and presence. A large-capacity engine with sixteen cylinders.

To enhance aerodynamics, rear mirrors are replaced by cameras that project rear and side views on to monitor screens in the cockpit.

Interior

The interior is trimmed with fire-resistant quilted Nomex like a racing car or helicopter cockpit. Two leather-covered bucket seats accommodate the driver and passenger behind a panoramic windscreen that is wrapped well round.

This is the logical continuation of the purist interior architecture found in the original TT cockpit.

The prominent centre tunnel with its polished aluminium tubes and the high window line makes the driver the nerve-centre of the car.

A window at the rear of the cockpit provides a clear view of this car’s powerful heart, the mid-engine. An enormous analogue tachometer gives its pulse reading. Like the other instruments, its design picks up the aesthetic theme of the light units.

Racing-oriented features included adjustable pedals, an open lever gate for the six-speed gearbox and a steering wheel with four spokes at 90-degree intervals.

Brushed aluminium, carbon fibre and leather of the highest quality define the character of the interior that retains its clear purity with no concession to the ambience of a luxury saloon car.

(Source: Audi)