It looks like the Sport Quattro won't be the only concept Audi will display at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235. Don't be shocked at how familiar this concept looks, as Audi teamed up with Italdesign Giugiaro -- the same folks that brought you the wildly styled 2014 Parcour -- to develop this model.

The new nanuk concept is a two-door crossover powered by a V-10 TDI engine, and If you remember, this is not the first concept offered by Audi to feature a TDI engine. We saw a TDI-powered concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show->ke222 where Audi unveiled the R8 V12 TDI concept. This makes us hope that the previously rumored R8 TDI supercar could become a reality after all, especially if you take a closer look at the output delivered by the nanuk.

As "Nanuk" is no ordinary name, and Audi didn't bother to offer us any explanation on choosing it, we did a little research and found out that in Inuit mythology Nanuk ("Nanook") was the master of bears, who decided if the hunters deserved success in finding and hunting bears. Trying to figure out what this has to do with cars is enough to make your head spin, but car naming has become a rather odd thing in recent years.

Click past the jump to read more about the Audi nanuk quattro concept.

audi-nanuk-quattro-concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: audi-nanuk-quattro-concept
Pros
Cons

2013 Audi nanuk quattro concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Audi nanuk quattro concept
  • Engine/Motor: V10
  • Horsepower: 544
  • Torque: 737
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Of course, the new nanuk quattro concept features no ordinary Audi language, but, according to the company it "opens a new chapter in the Audi design language."

Up front, it offers a flat version of Audi's famous hexagonal Singleframe grille, dynamic daytime running lights with Audi's new Matrix LED technology. Rounding out the odd front styling are large air inlets with three upright bars, giving the front end that signature Audi look.

On the sides, you will notice the signature Audi sharp blister edge. When the doors pop open, they do so in an upward motion at an angle. Aligning with the recent rage in automotive styling, the exterior mirrors were replaced by wing-shaped cameras.

On the backside, this (dare we say) unique concept gets a diffuser hiding the two round tailpipes pipes of the exhaust system, and a large window that offers a complete view of the TDI engine.

To help keep the concept light, all of the components were made from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and the Frankfurt-bound concept will wear an Extreme Red exterior paint.

Dimensions:

Wheelbase

2,710 MM (106.69 in)

Length

4,541 MM (178.78 in)

Width

1,990 MM (78.35 in)

Height

1,337 MM (52.64 in)


Interior

The interior design was kept as simple as possible and is focused on the area around the steering wheel and the center tunnel, including the air suspension controls, navi controls, infotainment functions and the turn signals. This design gives the driver clean and easy access to all the the buttons and controls. Directly in front of the driver is a high-tech instrument cluster that lacks any physical dials, but is instead all digital dials and fully programmable.

The entire interior dons gray leather with aluminum accents on the instrument panel, and smatterings of CFRP throughout. The seats feature folding backs, pronounced side bolsters and integrated head restraints for a tight embrace around corners, plus they are are power-adjustable to boot.

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

Tipping the scales at 1,900 kg (4,188 pounds) means that the nanuk needs some serious power to make it worthwhile. Well, this is one thing that it certainly does not lack, as it carries a newly developed 5.0-liter V-10 TDI engine that churns out over 400 kW (544 horsepower) and 1,000 Nm (737 pound-feet) of torque, which Audi mounted in a rear-midship position for extra stability. This powerful diesel mates to a seven-speed S tronic transmission that sends power to all four wheels through a specially designed quattro drivetrain.

The drivetrain sprints the nanuk 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.8 seconds, and up to a top speed of 305 km/h (189 mph). All this while delivering a fuel economy of 30.16 U.S. mpg on average.

All of this power is useless without a little control, and 22-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance tires sized 235/50-series up front and 295/45 on the rear help out. Also chiming in on the handling front is an adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled dampers that allow the driver to adjust the ground clearance in three stages: normal, 30 mm (1.18 in) lower and 40 mm (1.57 in) higher. Another new feature is integral steering, which helps resolve the conflict between dynamic handling and stability, depending on the car's speed.

Bringing this hefty concept to a stop is a carbon-ceramic brake system.

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

5.0-Liter TDI V-10

Output (Horsepower @ RPM)

544 @ TBA

Torque (Foot-Pounds @ RPM)

737 @ TBA

Transmission

Seven-Speed S tronic

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

3.6 Sec., Est.

Top Speed

189 MPH

Fuel Economy (MPG)

TBA/TBA/30


Pricing

Don't expect to ever see the nanuk concept put into production, but we hope to see the new V-10 TDI put into production.

Competitors

2014 Giugiaro Parcour

The new nanuk concept seems like a German response to an Italian-designed crossover. The Parcour is powered by a Lamborghini-sourced 5.2-liter V-10 engine that delivers a total of 550 horsepower and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just in 3.6 seconds, which is nearly identical to what the nanuk can do.

The problem with both the Parcour and the nanuk is that they are both concepts, so don't get your hopes up.

Conclusion

To say that the nanuk is a wild design study is an understatement. In fact, we think "pipe dream" is a better term, as the chances of this very un-Audi-looking model ever seeing showrooms are slim to none. However, it is still a cool concept and that 5.0-liter TDI engine is nothing short of automotive ridiculousness. Please, please, please Audi, put this engine into production at some point.