Audi Cross Coupe Quattro concept (2007): first official pictures

By Jack Carfrae

First Official Pictures

26 April 2007 01:30

Audi Cross Coupe Quattro: the lowdown

This is the first official picture of what will become in 2010 Audi's new Freelander rival, efectively the Q3. It's a baby brother to the Q7 mud-plugger and forthcoming Q5 - but this one is more compact, seats only five and has gone on a crash-diet. End result? The Cross Coupe Quattro - unveiled today in Shanghai, it's a concept car for a much slicker crossover. It'll be based on VW's new Tiguan, sharing its four-wheel drive and transversely mounted 204bhp 2.0-litre TDI engine.

The Cross Coupe rides on MacPherson struts at the front and a four-link rear axle, which should make for a decent ride and solid cornering on the road. Some extra ground clearance required for light off-roading is helped by the concept car's bling 20-inch alloys. Nestling behind the rims are ceramic brake discs, to ensure that the Cross Coupe can anchor itself to the tarmac quickly and fade-free. The Haldex 4wd system distributes power evenly between all four wheels for decent traction; just don't go expecting to cross deserts. The Cross Coupe also comes with Audi's S-tronic transmission, for quick, paddle-shift gearchanges.

By Jack Carfrae