1991 Audi Quattro Spyder: Concept We Forgot

The R8 has never looked better.

The Quattro Spyder, which was introduced just one month prior to the wildly popular Avus and its ilk, was much more practical for production than the W12 engine. Audi says it dropped the project due to the “envisioned price” of 100,000 German Marks. In other words, the Quattro Spyder was too costly and Ingolstadt-based marque thought there wouldn’t be enough demand to justify the effort. This was a surprising decision considering the positive feedback received after the car’s debut at Frankfurt Motor Show. Rumours began to circulate about the possibility of a limited production. Audi says that dealers had booked “thousands” of advance orders. The car was ultimately a no-go.It was a concept car, with a timeless design, perfect  proportions, and a timeless design. It was more attractive than the bland green color of the other concept car that was photographed at the same time as the Avus.

1991 Audi Quattro Spyder: Concept We Forgot

The had many of the same characteristics as our R8 : a mid-engine layout and an aluminum body. It also featured a two-seater interior. The Audi 100 (C3)’s V6 engine, a 2.8-liter, delivered 172 horsepower (128 Kilowatts) as well as 181 pound-feet (245 Newton meters) to a Quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system. The concept’s five-speed manual gearbox was able to channel the power to the road. Audi engineers were able to reduce the car’s weight by using an all-aluminum body. It weighs in at 1,100 kilograms (2.425 lb).

1991 Audi Quattro Spyder: Concept We Forgot

The concept car featured removable targa panels that allowed open-top driving. 26 years on, the Quattro Spyder is still our favorite concept. We wouldn’t change one thing about a hypothetical production car. Is there not enough room for a “baby R8”, given Audi’s planned RS SUV assault? Audi doesn’t believe the TT RS fulfils this role.