408PS Audi Q5 custom concept headlines at Worthersee Tour

A new interpretation of the Audi Q5 SUV featuring a power-enhanced 3.0-litre TFSI petrol engine delivering a mighty 408PS will be one of the stars of the 2009 Worthersee Tour (May 20-23), Austria’s now legendary GTI meet for enthusiasts from all over Europe.

The purpose built Q5, which is also marked out by a unique paint job and a lowered and widened chassis connected to the tarmac by 21-inch wheels, will take centre stage on a 3,000 square metre Audi stand dedicated to the centennial celebration “100 years of Audi.” In addition to historic models from various decades, the Ingolstadt carmaker will feature showcase vehicles such as the Audi TT RS, the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro and the Audi A1 Sportback.

An “architectural” timeline will guide those visiting the stand through the history of Audi as a carmaker. This timeline ends at a stage in the form of a banked curve with cars from Audi’s current model lineup and a concept car. Along the timeline itself are vehicles from various decades of Audi’s history – from the Audi 50 via the Ur-quattro to the Audi A2. Audi will show a total of 20 vehicles on its stand.

Prominently featured is the Audi Q5 custom concept: Audi engineers prepared this particularly sporty version of the SUV especially for the Wörthersee Tour. Finished in the matt custom colour Daytona Grey, the test bed for Audi Genuine Accessories rolls on 21-inch wheels of 7 twin-spoke design, and features a 90 millimetre wider track and a 60 millimetre lower ride height compared to the standard Q5. The power output of the supercharged 3.0 TFSI V6 engine, which until now has been reserved for the S4, the S5 Cabriolet and the A6, has been increased from a maximum of 333PS in the S4 and S5 Cabriolet to 408PS, allowing the Audi Q5 custom concept to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 4.4 seconds. Top speed is governed at 155mph. (See box for technical data and equipment.)

Audi production car stars also on show
Among the other showcase vehicles at Wörthersee are both the coupe and roadster versions of the new Audi TT RS. The turbocharged 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder engine in the TT RS pumps out 340PS, enabling it to sprint to 62mph in well under five seconds on its way to a governed top speed of 155mph. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, an advanced suspension and powerful brakes keep all this power safely under control. With its mostly aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) body, the compact TT RS is an uncompromising driving machine.

On the subject of driving machines, the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro is also on display at Wörthersee. This mid-engine sports car further extends Audi’s lead in the high-performance sports car segment. Developed in cooperation with quattro GmbH, the R8 5.2 FSI quattro is the new top-of-the-line R8. Its ten-cylinder engine produces 525PS to deliver breathtaking performance. Audi technologies such as the lightweight aluminum body and the innovative full-LED headlights immediately place it at the head of the class. A time of 3.9 seconds for the sprint from zero to 62mph and a top speed of 196mph underscore the sports car’s dynamic character.

Another very special member of the R8 family is also appearing at Wörthersee. The GT3 race version of the R8, the 500PS R8 LMS, marks the first time that Audi Sport has developed a race car specifically for client racing. The ten-cylinder GT3 sports car is facing its first acid test this weekend (May 23 and 24): With factory support from Audi, the ABT Sportsline and Phoenix Racing teams have entered a total of four vehicles in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

Audi is also providing a peek at its upcoming entry in the compact class below the A3 at Wörthersee: The A1 Sportback concept is the concept car for a five-door four-seater – with all the characteristics of a true Audi. The car, which is 3.99 metres long and 1.75 metres wide, combines trendsetting dynamic styling with optimized space efficiency and superb quality.

Audi is presenting another version of the innovative hybrid technology in the drive unit for the A1 Sportback concept. At work under the bonnet is a 1.4-litre TFSI engine developing 150PS, whose power is directed to the front wheels by means of the S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

A 27PS electric motor integrated in the drive train is able to deliver up to an additional 150 Nm of torque (111 lb-ft) when the vehicle is accelerating. During the boosting phase, i.e. when the TFSI engine and electric motor operate simultaneously to enable a sporty driving style, the two power packs deliver impressive propulsion. The tried-and-tested front-wheel drive – supplemented by the newly developed, ESP-controlled active front differential lock – ensures optimum transfer of power to the road.

The electric motor is furthermore capable of powering the vehicle alone for zero-emission driving. The capacity of the lithium-ion batteries gives the vehicle a range of up to 100 km (62 miles) in pure electric mode; the motor can be recharged from any power socket. The automatic start/stop facility, energy recovery and phases of purely electrical operation reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of the Audi A1 Sportback concept by almost 30 percent compared to when it is running on the combustion engine alone. Despite sporty performance characterized by a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 124mph, the Audi A1 Sportback concept achieves an impressive combined consumption figure of 72.4mpg. CO2 emissions are 92 g/km.