#82 Audi Prologue – A hint of the four ring's future

The Oxford dictionary defines prologue as an event or action that leads to another event or situation. Hence, the Prologue Concept hints at the future of Audi’s vehicles design. The Prologue concept car, which debuted at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, incorporates elements of the next-generation A8, A7 and A6, and may also preview an Audi A9 luxury coupe.

Audi Prologue Concept 

At the front is Audi’s Singleframe grille with integrated four rings. The large radiator grille has been widened much more, and it is positioned lower than on today's production models. The cross bars have a finely structured diamond pattern, and their ends are split. The headlights - shaped like wide, flat wedges - are located with their tips above the Singleframe. They present high-resolution Matrix laser technology: an innovation from Audi which opens up new approaches to headlight design and enables completely new functionalities. The ‘pupils’ of the headlights are formed by a projection lens with a laser light source. Hovering beneath the headlamps are five plastic lenses, which are supplied with light via a glass fibre.

Singleframe grille 

A dynamically contoured blade, which is clearly separated from the bumper by a gap. Mounted to it are two additional spoilers in glossy black, which give the Audi Prologue an even stronger and wider stance on the road. Striking 22-inch wheels are encased by widely flared wheel arches. They are fitted with tires of size 285/30. Each wheel's ten intertwining Y spokes project a filigreed, three-dimensional and powerful image. A characteristic feature of the Audi prologue are the flared shoulders above the wheels, front and rear. The fenders, doors and rear side panels show curved muscular surfaces.

LED headlamps

The door mirrors are small aluminium sculptures: The mirror housings in the form of a shell create a flowing transition to the window slot trim. They also integrate the open-door sensor surfaces. The doors have no handles, and they are opened electromechanically when the illuminated sensor surfaces are touched. At the rear are LED lights enclosed in a 3D glass to give them a distinct look. The rear lights run across the entire width of the car. Between the C-pillars, the rear window has a concave inward curve.

Uniqley styled rims 

The window closes off the passenger compartment and is integrated neatly with the boot lid. The edge of the boot lid, which is executed as a discreet spoiler, picks up on the shoulder line coming from the side panel. Beneath the bumper, there is a diffuser made of glossy black aluminium; like the front blade, it extends over the full width of the car as a separate, significantly recessed element. The diffuser integrates two trapezoid-shaped inlets which visually coordinate with the embossed tail lights and house the exhaust system tailpipes.

Majestic coupe look 

Underneath the Audi Prologue’s long bonnet is a 445 kW (605 hp) 4-litre V8 Biturbo TFSI power unit. The engine delivers an impressive 750 Nm of torque and accelerates the Audi Prologue from 0 to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds. The Audi Prologue concept consumes just 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres. An eight-speed tiptronic directs engine power to the Quattro permanent all-wheel drive which sends power to all the wheels.

View from the top 

In the chassis, the adaptive air suspension sport offers a large adjustment range between smooth rolling and very tight handling. The suspension also varies the show car's ground clearance over several levels. The front and rear suspensions are engineered as lightweight five-link designs. Braking power is provided by large 20-inch carbon-ceramic discs with six-piston fixed callipers. The spacious interior of the Audi prologue is like a luxurious lounge. The interface visually adapts to the specific driving style.

Futuristic interior 

The interior marks the beginning of a new design era at Audi, in which the architecture merges with the operating concept to form one unit. The surfaces for displays and controls are innovatively integrated into the instrument panel and console of the centre tunnel, and the infotainment system brings driver and passenger into dialog with one another. The instrument panel has a light and elegant appearance with its strictly horizontal layout that is not interrupted anywhere, and it emphasizes the generous interior width.

Rear design 

A finely crafted perforated panel covers the air vents. White LED light conductors trace the distinctive lines of the interior, starting at the doors. The surfaces of the seats and seat backs, the dashboard, the console on the centre tunnel and the armrests are covered in light-coloured "passion" leather - a new soft grade of leather that emphasizes the natural characteristics of the animal hide. The head restraints of the two rear bucket seats are lowered when not in use; they automatically extend when a passenger enters the rear seating area with the electric easy entry function. When the sound system is activated, a new type of sound spoiler extends from the rear shelf. The spoiler optimally produces a premium sound that fills the entire rear of the car.

Representing the future of Audi Saloons 

Verdict

The Audi Prologue concept not only hints the future of the automaker’s design but also previews future technologies that will be included in upcoming models. The first car to feature the prologue’s design is the next generation Audi A4 saloon.