Nothing less than a 600-hp 5.0-L twin-turbo, direct injection V10 takes care of forward momentum, combining 553 lb-ft of thrusting torque and quattro all-wheel drive into a 4.1 second to 100 km/h frenzy. Its torque curve is ridiculously flat, starting at a mere 2,000 rpm and maximized across an extremely broad rev range.
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| A 600-hp 5.0-L twin-turbo direct injection V10 engine, with a ridiculously flat torque curve, powers the Audi concept. (Photo: Audi) |
Power such as this must be tamed; a process the four-ringed brand has learned to instill into its RS models in recent years. The Nuvolari quattro incorporates a sophisticated 4-link front and controlled-toe trapezoidal link rear suspension, with all components constructed of aluminum. No doubt it would be stable at speed, with precise response to steering input.
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| Over 160 km/h, Audi's new adaptive air suspension lowers the Nuvolari's ride height to 90mm from 100mm, improving aerodynamics. (Photo: Audi) |
The concept's ride and handling compromise is further enhanced by Audi's new adaptive air suspension, which includes continually damped air springs at each corner. Such a system has never been used in a GT before.
The air suspension, more common in premium sport utility vehicles, adjusts ride height much the same way as in Audi's allroad quattro wagon. But as there is no need for trekking off-road it only raises up from its 100 mm standard height to 110 mm, perfect for bumpy inner city roads. More importantly it drops down to 90 mm at 160 km/h and upwards, improving aerodynamics when it's most needed.