The Audi Sportback Concept is characterized by a pronounced coupé-like silhouette and large rear hatch and sleek proportions: it is 4.95 m long (16.24 ft), 1.93 m wide (6.33 ft) and only 1.40 m high (4.59 ft).

It is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 TDI clean diesel which almost completely eliminates nitrogen oxides.

This engine already meets the emissions limits of all 50 U.S. states and the EU6 standard scheduled to take effect in 2014.

It is expected to achieve a fuel consumption of 5.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (39.87 US mpg).

From the official Press Release:

Design

"The design of the Audi Sportback concept is characterized by an almost monolithic clarity and a vast reduction of the number of lines."

The roof, shoulder and sill lines appear to have been drawn with a single stroke. The window strip of the coupé with its four frameless doors was kept pronouncedly flat.

Viewed from the side, the softly contoured wheel wells over the 10-spoke, 21-inch wheels reinforce the impression of the precisely defined surfaces of the body.

One feature familiar from the two-door Audi A5 coupé is the markedly horizontal shoulder area which emphasizes the orientation of the vehicle body to the road.

This effect is further reinforced at the front and rear by the broad, flat LED light units.

The shape of the almost fragilelooking side mirrors is inspired by the upturned tips – the “winglets” – of modern jet wings.

The show car also offers a new interpretation of the single-frame grille. The decision not to use vertical struts and the low overall height emphasize the sporty basic proportions of the vehicle front.

The modified outer contour of the single-frame grille was also featured on the A1 Sportback show car.

The flattened top edges lower the visual center of gravity and provide a striking look for the front end.

The aerodynamically designed air intakes under the headlights function as air deflectors which guide the required cooling air precisely into an intake duct.

They have the stylistic effect of accentuating the impression of width. The tail of the show car is also evidently related to the A5 coupé.

The high top edge of the rear hatch gives rise to a strikingly clear surface below the rear lights.

The low separating edge and the horizontal lines – another characteristic feature – underscore the width and therefore the sporty nature of the Audi Sportback concept.

The four tailpipes integrated into the body and an air deflector in the diffuser insert are cues borrowed from the sportscar sector.
The interior design is tidy and downright purist yet elegant at the same time.

The large glass roof underscores the width and feeling of spaciousness. In the driveroriented cockpit, the air vents, instrument cluster and retracting MMI monitor are outlined by a filigree aluminum border.

Interior Design

As with the exterior, the interior is characterized by the emphasis on horizontal lines and large surfaces. The wide center console – stretching from the dashboard to the back – includes a retractable flat display of the MMI system.

When the ignition is activated, it extends horizontally from a slot above the central air register before moving in an arc into a vertical, easy-to-read position.

The interior trim is almost completely in leather: from the headlining, dashboard, doors and the entire seat upholstery all the way through to the trunk.

The large wood trim strips on the instrument panel, center console and doors are machined from oak blockboard and sport a delicate horizontal pattern of light and dark lines.

With its surfaces of piano lacquer and brushed aluminum, the MMI control unit also adds to the exclusivity of the interior.

The diamond-shaped stitching of the four sporty seats leather surface is reminiscent of a classic GT tradition.

The generously sized trunk has a capacity of 500 liters (17.66 cubic feet).

Technical Features

The V6 3.0 TDI clean diesel produces 165 kW (225 hp) and 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque and is equipped with a system for the effective reduction of nitrogen oxides.

The piezo common rail system with an injection pressure of 2,000 bar, highly efficient exhaust gas recirculation and optimized turbocharging result in significantly reduced raw engine emissions.

Power is transferred to the wheels via Audi’s new 7-speed tiptronic combined with the quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Weighing just 1,800 kilograms (3,968.32 lb) and with a drag coefficient of 0.30, the coupe will accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in less than seven seconds and reach a top speed of 245 km/h (152.24 mph).

The Audi Sportback concept’s average fuel economy according to the European ECE standard is only 5.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (39.87 US mpg), and its CO2 emissions no more than 156 g/km (251.06 g/mile). These low figures have been achieved by extensive efficiency-optimizing measures.

The Audi Sportback concept uses the basic architecture and many components of its suspension from the A4/A5 model series, including the new five-link front suspension.

Among the additional technical highlights are the CDC (continuous damping control) shock absorbers - where electromagnetically energized, proportional-action valve regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid between the inner and outer damper tubes - ceramic brakes on all four wheels and electromechanical steering, which only consumes energy when the steering is turned.

(Source: Audi)