L.A. Auto Show: The Audi "American" Concept Car

Update: Oops. Frank Gehry's appearance at the Audi Cross Cabriolet concept reveal confused a number of observers, but none quite as much as me. Turns out Gehry was there to help sell the car and ruminate on the nature of design, but he didn't have a hand in designing the car itself.

One of the few big world premieres here at the L.A. Auto Show, at least so far, is the flashy, meaty convertible you see here – the Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro concept. Designed in coordination with starchitect Frank Gehry, The concept is meant to be overtly, self-consciously “American,” hence the bold “Sunset Copper” finish, the big gaping maw, the less-than-slender proportions all around. And hence plenty of power: Its 3-liter, 6-cylinder TDI diesel engine can do 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. In efficiency mode, the Cross Cabriolet gets 20 percent better mileage. Headlamps and tail lamps are all LEDs. Audi reps say some of the design cues in this concept will appear in the new Q5, set to appear next year, which may explain some of this convertible’s very SUV-like lines. Will it get built? We’ll see. If so, let’s hope it holds together better than some of Gehry’s other recent projects... —Seth Fletcher

Comments

[GenericViagra]

I went to a similar event two years ago and I saw many different car styles, actually I bought a beautiful car because it has the most modern engine I'm so happy with this machine.

[Wholesale Suppliers]

These cars are good in style, good in shape and good in technology, and for low rates wholesalepages is a good source. But these are not based on the green environment technology. Specially the diesel cars are among the factors of air pollution. Here we need to reduce as much pollution as we can.

[Allan Stec]

OMG! I'm lovin' the style of that car's bumper! It's huge, yet very elegant! Designs like these are truly in auto shows nowadays. I think my friend would love to purchase one like this, and maybe add it to his amazing car collection. Most of his cars came from used car dealers in Chicago, and maybe he'll look for a similar one there.

[Car in Bangladesh]

My dream car, 6-cylinder TDI diesel engine can do 0-60 in 7.2 seconds, pretty stong engine indeed.

[hot rod air ride]

I like the idea for this Audi. It's a luxurious car with a great performance.

[Projector Headlights]

Audi sure knows how to make their cars. Even at this angle, the car looks great.

[Drop Suspensions]

It's like you are planning to buy a car, dig your way to the internet and found gold! In my case, it hit my mouse and it died.