Sun-drenched Los Angeles and snow-carpeted alpine Bavaria provide the inspiration for the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro concept car, which makes its debut at the 2007 L.A Auto Show. Powered by the world’s cleanest diesel engine, and combining the sun worshipping potential of a classic cabriolet with the mountain-scaling agility of a quattro-equipped ‘off-roader’, the Cross Cabriolet quattro could form the basis of a future SUV model from Audi.  

Deriving its fundamental chassis and drivetrain architecture from the modules used by the A5 coupe and new A4 saloon, and covering a similar ‘footprint’ on the road, the 4.62-metre long Cross Cabriolet quattro is powered by an even more efficient version of the 3.0-litre, 240PS V6 TDI engine incorporating a new ultra low emission system. Mounted longitudinally, the world’s cleanest diesel unit combines the benefits of state-of-the-art common rail injection with piezo crystal technology, exhaust gas recirculation and an exhaust after-treatment system. Using a special AdBlue additive, this new system reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 per cent.

The result is an engine which will satisfy stringent emissions limits all over the world, even in especially rigorously controlled U.S states such as California, New York and Vermont, and which will share its technology with other units in the range from 2008 onwards. This initiative will help Audi to meet its pledge to effect a 20 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions across its fleet by 2012.

As the Cross Cabriolet quattro ably demonstrates, the ultra low emission technology demands no sacrifices in performance. Through an eight-speed automatic transmission with a new lever design incorporating a gear selector ‘control wheel’, the SUV study translates 240PS and a healthy 500Nm of torque into a 0-62mph acceleration time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 149mph, without ruling out the potential to cover over 38mpg.

In the Cross Cabriolet quattro, the Audi drive select system automatically defaults to the ‘dynamic’ mode, which places equal emphasis on handling composure and comfort. When the ‘sport’ mode is selected, a more overtly performance and handling-biased program comes into play, with shock absorbers set to maximum firmness, throttle response further sharpened and transmission shift points moved higher up the rev range.

By contrast, the ‘efficiency’ setting majors on smooth, economical progress that brings fuel savings of well over 20 per cent compared with ‘dynamic’ mode. Here, the engine and transmission responses are moderated, the air conditioning system is automatically switched off and the parameters of the adaptive cruise control system are adjusted in favour of minimal fuel consumption. Route information gathered from the system is taken into account in determining braking distances.

The list of technological innovations includes futuristic satellite navigation technology using photorealistic 3D maps from Google Earth, a Bang & Olufsen sound system with internet radio, which provides access to the many radio stations broadcasting online. Tracks played by these stations can be ‘judged’ by the user, who can give a positive or negative verdict on each at the touch of a button. This helps the system to build a picture of their preferences and to offer a bespoke play list incorporating only the tracks that match them. The internet-based system also enables CD cover illustrations and track and artist background information to be displayed.