The 1991 Audi Quattro Spyder was a groundbreaking mid-engined sports car concept unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, featuring an aluminum body, permanent all-wheel drive, and a V6 engine.

Posted by Venkie2Maybach@reddit | WeirdWheels | View on Reddit | 46 comments

It featured an innovative lightweight aluminum body, emphasizing a focus on reducing weight for better performance.

The concept was designed with a mid-mounted engine paired with Audi's signature quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Despite being a show car rather than a mass-production vehicle, the Quattro Spyder was a significant study in advanced materials and driving technology for Audi.

It was originally intended to be built as a production vehicle, but that plan did not come to fruition.

Though intended for production, it remained a one-off prototype that heavily influenced Audi's future design language, technology, and performance direction.

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Elvis1404@reddit

I absolutely love the green one, I'd daily one if I could

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j12000@reddit

It was an awesome concept, but it was nixxed by VW group because it would cannibalise sales from the other mid (rear) engine sports car in their stable: the 911.

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gnomesvh@reddit

Iirc another issue was that it would cost as much as a 911 while being a performance point below too

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Venkie2Maybach@reddit (OP)

Damn.

Sad, but TT and Boxter can co exist together.

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burner94_@reddit

oh look it's the R8 15 years early. Just needs a black side blade. /S

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I feel that if they produced this car in the 90s, today it would be considered a classic. I'm super impressed with the styling of the vehicle, it's so tasteful and timeless. It could work even today with a bit refinement.

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cheesepuzzle@reddit

For a spyder it sure appears to have a permanent roof

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LockInside1024@reddit

Volkswagen W6???

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blackbeansandrice@reddit

That’s a beautiful car; the shapes, the proportions, everything about it.

The top down view is breathtaking. The lines are exquisite.

Designing a car is really hard. That’s what I love looking at when it’s done well.

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procrastablasta@reddit

I’m not an Audi guy but that is pretty sexy

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PosterAnt@reddit

ever seen a toyota mr2???

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PhantasmologicalAnus@reddit

LOL

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work-n-lurk@reddit

It's like a way better Fiero.

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PosterAnt@reddit

a German Mr2

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SenseWinter@reddit

How dare you

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CheesusChristMyDude@reddit

Or way worse NSX

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drpericak@reddit

It looks more like a 300ZX than a 300ZX does.

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fapsandnaps@reddit

It looks like a 1992 Prototype of what a 2008 300zx would look like

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drpericak@reddit

This is a 92 Z

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fapsandnaps@reddit

Oh I know what they look like, I've had quite a few lol

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Ru4pigsizedelephants@reddit

God bless you.

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NewColors1@reddit

If i remember correctly, i read somewhere that they extensively worked to create a viable aluminum car since the early 80s. The material was weaker, which required thicker structures, which ruined the whole point of the aluminum (weight savings of course). It’s a cool story for engineering nerds.

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jango-lionheart@reddit

Nope. Aluminum is stronger than steel, pound for pound. There is more aluminum per pound than steel. So, yes, aluminum has to be thicker than steel to in order to provide the same strength, but there is still a net reduction in mass. That’s why aircraft, performance cars, and other things use aluminum. It can cost more to fabricate because steel is easier to weld, though aluminum is easier to cast, but we aren’t talking about costs.

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General-Piece8490@reddit

Airplanes are not crash resistant. Forces are spread through the fuselage during flight. Cars are a different animal all the weight of the car and occupants has to be distributed over four points (aka tires) and all the dynamic forces are on these pillars. Aluminum has a lot of flex and those suck during constant cornering left and right

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jango-lionheart@reddit

I love that you and NewColors1 replied with opposing comments on flex. I believe it depends somewhat on the alloy, but I agree that aluminum is generally less rigid than steel. Aircraft have areas of higher and lower stress, too, though.

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NewColors1@reddit

Aluminum is more rigid with less flex, but not necessarily stronger, although It’s far more brittle because of its lesser density and subsequently lower mass. But thats why it’s used in relatively thicker applications.

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