One of the most memorable design exercises appearing at the Frankfurt Auto Show this year is actually something of a rerun. The nanuk quattro concept sharing space on Audi’s stand with the Sport quattro has been referred to by some as the “son of Parcour,” in reference to a similar concept shown in Geneva.
It’s no surprise that both takes on the idea of an all-surfaces supercar came from Italdesign Giugiaro. As an all-terrain exotic, the nanuk quattro bears a passing resemblance to the Parcour, but where that car was Lamborghini-based, the nanuk quattro is all Audi. The deep three-ring grille and curvy silhouette are familiar set pieces for the brand, while the scissor doors and a vaguely muscle-car like rear end shake things up a little bit. Most striking of course are the massive 22-inch wheels with fat tires.
The nanuk quattro is powered by a mid-mounted 5.0 liter V10 turbodiesel that produces 544 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, and power’s routed to all four wheels via a seven-speed S tronic transmission. Four-wheel steering offers a measure of maneuverability, and a double wishbone suspension at all four corners ensures that the nanuk quattro can tackle the curves with confidence. The air suspension can be raised or lowered to provide additional ground clearance.
