Second Quattro Sport concept from Audi

AUDI has kept hopes alive for a return of the 1980s rally dominating Sport Quattro nameplate by announcing a second version of its fire-breathing but frugal Sport Quattro Concept.

The Sport Quattro Laserlight concept and its “cutting-edge” laser headlights will not be unveiled at a major international motor show but the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show from January 6.

Other than the Plasma Red paintwork, the only change to the concept since its unveiling at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show lies behind the dual trapezoidal headlights which combine existing LED matrices for the dipped beam and ultra-bright laser diodes for high-beam.

Not only are the laser diodes far brighter than high-intensity LEDs, offering illumination of nearly half a kilometre – double the LED capability – but they are also more compact, measuring just microns.

The new night-piercing technology will be seen in action later this year when the endurance racing Audi R18 e-tron quattro hits the track equipped with the same laser lights of the concept car.

Significant attention will no doubt also be given to the Sport quattro’s twin-turbo V8/electric hybrid powertrain, which produces 515kW/800Nm and finds its way to the ground via Audi’s established quattro four-wheel drive system, resulting in zero to 100km/h acceleration of 3.7 seconds and a top speed 305km/h.

But the concept is not all about brute-force and speed. When not in sport mode, Audi claims the hybrid powertrain can consume as little as 2.5 litres per 100km, has seating for four and a 300-litre luggage compartment.

The Sport Quattro has many styling features reminiscent of the original 1983 Audi Sport quattro, and fans of the red, yellow and white livery will be hoping this concept comprises one of the 11 models Audi is planning to add to the range by 2020.

In 2012, BMW first demonstrated laser technology for headlights, while many vehicles on the road, including Google’s driverless car, use an infra-red laser as part of range-finding and anti-collision systems.

Research is also underway to produce the first production laser spark-plug, which would do away with less reliable electrode-type spark plugs.