This impressive study for an Audi that is typical in its suitability for several market segments, takes its name from Pikes Peak, a mountain some 4,300 meters (14,110 feet) high that rises abruptly out of the Colorado Plain of the Rocky Mountains. It can be seen from many miles away and is also called “America’s Mountain”.
It is a gathering place for automobile enthusiasts on account of the “Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race”. Every year in June, up to 160 fearless drivers tackle this 12.4 mile (almost 21 kilometer) long run, which has straights on which 125 mph (200 km/h) can be reached but also 156 corners with loose stone surfaces, unprotected by any form of crash barrier.
Three victories have made the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race part of the successful history of Audi Motorsport. In 1985 it was won by Michèle Mouton, the first woman driver ever to win a world championship rally. A year later, the legendary American race driver Bobby Unser proved to be unbeatable, and in 1987 Walter Röhrl in the Audi Sport quattro S1 scored a much-admired overall victory by conquering the Peak in the new record time of 10:47.85 minutes.
The qualities possessed by the Audi Pikes Peak quattro exhibit definite parallels with the world of rallying, that high-speed sport mostly conducted on loose-surfaced roads and tracks. However, the Audi Pikes Peak quattro for 2003 is considerably more versatile than the Audi Sport quattro that was so successful 15 years ago.
The idea behind the Audi Pikes Peak quattro
This four-door 4+2-seat hatchback is a draft design that indicates the systematic evolutionary path that current Audi design could take – but it is more besides:
the Pikes Peak quattro illustrates the novel AUDI AG concept that spans several segments in the premium automobile category.
The Audi Pikes Peak quattro is notable for the manner in which it combines the sheer power of the legendary Audi quattro and an advanced design concept that brings together elements from widely varying types of automobile.
The Audi Pikes Peak quattro is a crossover model. It possesses typical qualities from a number of different automobile categories.
From the luxury sport sedan it adopts dynamism and comfort, but its off-road competence comes from its variable-height adaptive air suspension and quattro driveline. This is not all: the Audi Pikes Peak quattro is equally convincing with its innovative seating concept with variable elements as used in luxury vans.
What makes the Audi Pikes Peak quattro a truly forward-looking concept are its restrained but elegant proportions, with a confident air of supremacy and styling full of character that set it well apart from clumsy attempts to interpret the theme of a ‘go-anywhere’ vehicle.
Design with character
The Audi Pikes Peak quattro is a typical Audi interpretation of what form a striking, sporty crossover model with strong premium affinities could take.
Generous curves, clearly defined outlines and muscular, taut surfaces of large area are here united in an architecture in which tranquil beauty and athletic tension create an intriguing contrast. The outer surfaces, accented with swage-lines and interesting panel gap patterns, add vitality to the styling.
To strengthen this impression, a bright “Polar Silver” metallic paint finish has been chosen. Although the Audi Pikes Peak quattro conveys a strong impression of strength and security, it cannot be said to lack sporty elegance.
At the front, the Audi Pikes Peak quattro has a radiator grill divided into two sections horizontally, with a boldly shaped surrounding frame.
Many of the visible details of the Audi Pikes Peak quattro are equally striking. The Xenon Plus headlamps behind clear glass covers communicate the technical aspect of their design, and supply a magnificent spread of light for fast driving on the highway or to find a way along loose-surfaced tracks after dark. The use of LEDs as a light source permits the fog lamps to be extremely compact and permits boldly styled rear lights to be used.
The loop-pattern door handles on the Audi Pikes Peak quattro only extend when the advanced key function’s proximity sensor has detected that an authorized key holder wishes to enter the car. Door handle lights then come on too. This remarkable approach to car access combines the visual elegance of flush-mounted door handles with the substantial feel of those with a loop for the driver or passenger to grasp.
The outside mirrors are also used to illuminate the area close to the vehicle. A camera has been built into the mirror at the right, and focused on the right front wheel. This ‘dead area’ is then displayed on the MMI screen so that the driver can judge the clearance or the distance from the edge of the road more effectively when crossing difficult terrain.
Evidence of the dynamic properties of the Audi Pikes Peak quattro is provided by the massive wheels with 5-arm double spokes (from the outside, these have the appearance of two star-pattern wheels one behind the other) and the tires with a specially developed tread pattern.
PAX wheels of size 295/770 R 560 A (equivalent to a visible wheel diameter of 20.6 inches) help to keep the vehicle controllable if there is a sudden loss of tire pressure. Their ‘run-flat’ construction means that mobility is maintained if a tire failure should occur, and the vehicle can be driven for up to 125 miles (200 kilometers) at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
The interior: a new and welcoming ambience
The harmony of the overall concept adopted for the interior creates strong links with the sporty, emotive exterior styling. With fine materials and flawless workmanship, the interior provides a new and most agreeable travel experience. Matt-brushed aluminum and Japanese “Tamo” ashwood trim elements give it sporty and technical, but also natural, welcoming accents. A glass roof offers the occupants a panoramic view and a sense of space and light.
Dynamic but visually restrained, the fascia is framed and supported visually by the doors.
The clear outlines featured in the driver’s area are emphasized by a raised center console that adds to the dignified, sporty impression created by the entire interior. A novel type of display using 3D laser optics makes the instruments brilliantly legible even when vision is otherwise poor.
The multifunctional leather-covered sport steering wheel is of three-spoke design, with tiptronic transmission shift paddles behind it. The driver can select the chosen gear without having to take a hand off the steering wheel.
For optimized occupant protection, two neatly housed additional “out of position” cameras identify the front passenger’s seated position and modify triggering of the airbag appropriately.
The gear shift gate and the Audi-MMI unit (Multi Media Interface) are located conveniently and ergonomically for the driver. By dividing up the center console asymmetrically in this way, space is created on the front passenger’s side for a convenience package comprising two cup holders and a shelf for small items. There is a cold-store compartment under the split armrest.
All the centrally located controls have polished aluminum surrounds and clear-glass covers to add visual impact to the interior.
The front center console is arranged like a bridge from the fascia to the rear end of the front seats. Between the individual second-row seats there is a second, retractable center console that emphasizes the functional character of the Audi Pikes Peak quattro. It contains controls for the infotainment electronics and another cold-store compartment, shelf space and cup holders.
The caribou beige decor chosen for the interior harmonizes well with the green color of various elements. The boldly contoured seats, for example, are upholstered in high-quality caribou-color nappa leather, the backs of the seat shells with Yukon green leather.
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