Audi Rosemeyer

Audi Rosemeyer
Audi Rosemeyer
Overview
Manufacturer	Audi AG
Production	2000
Body and chassis
Class	Concept vehicle
Body style	2-door coupé
Layout	Mid engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive
Related	Bugatti Veyron; Bentley Hunaudières;
Powertrain
Engine	8.0 L VW Group W16
Transmission	6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,911 mm (114.6 in)
Length	4,539 mm (178.7 in)
Width	1,920 mm (75.6 in)
Height	1,240 mm (49 in)
Kerb weight	1,607 kg (3,543 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Audi Avus quattro
Successor	Audi Le Mans quattro

The Audi Rosemeyer^[2] is a concept car built by Audi, shown initially at Autostadt and at various auto shows throughout Europe during 2000. Although it was never intended for production, its striking design and highly sporting nature drew considerable attention to the brand, and many potential buyers highly anticipated a production version, to no avail.

Information[]

The vehicle was designed to evoke emotion and garner attention, and was unique in that it combined elements of modern design with styling strongly resembling the former Auto Unions "Silver Arrows" Grand Prix racers, namely their 16-cylinder car driven by Bernd Rosemeyer, after which the car is named. The Rosemeyer concept is also highly reminiscent of the "Type 52" design study penned by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and Dr. Erwin Komenda in the 1930s as a possible road going version of the Silver Arrows, which never saw production.^[3]

Powered by a large displacement, mid-mounted W16 engine, which develops 700 hp (522 kW; 710 PS) and featuring Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive system, the vehicle promised high performance to match its appearance. It was ultimately deemed unfit for production, both because of extremely high projected production costs, and Audi's unwillingness to create in-house competition with Lamborghini, which Audi had purchased during the 1990s. In some ways, Audi's Gallardo-based R8 could be considered the Rosemeyer's successor, as it was derived from Audi's next supercar concept, the Le Mans quattro. In other ways, the Bugatti Veyron could be seen as the Rosemeyer's successor, drawing many design elements and the W16 engine from the Rosemeyer.

Specifications[]

8,004 cubic centimetres (488.4 cu in) W16 5 valves/cyl mid-mounted engine
700 hp (522 kW; 710 PS)
760 N⋅m (561 lbf⋅ft) @ 9,000 rpm
Top speed: 350 km/h (217.5 mph) (projected, it couldn't be tested as the car wasn't functional)