quattro GmbH
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| quattro GmbH | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private company, wholly owned subsidiary of Audi AG |
| Founded |  Neckarsulm, Germany (1983) |
| Headquarters | Neckarsulm, Germany |
| No. of locations | one site at Neckarsulm |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Key people | Stephan Reil Technical Director |
| Industry | Automotive industry |
| Products | High-performance luxury cars, wheels and suspension components, specialist body styling parts |
| Services | Design, testing, production, research and development |
| Operating income | ▲ €220million (2004) |
| Owner | Audi AG |
| Employees | 580 |
| Parent | Volkswagen Group |
| Website | quattro GmbH at Audi.com |
quattro GmbH is a wholly owned private subsidiary of the German automobile manufacturer - Audi AG.[1] It is based at Neckarsulm, near Stuttgart, in the region of Baden-Württemberg. The factory is based within the headquarters of the now defunct German auto maker and Wankel pistonless rotary engine pioneer, NSU Motorenwerke AG (NSU).
Although "quattro Gmbh" as a company may be relatively unknown, its core products are likely to be very well known, notably the Audi RS4, the Audi RS6 and the Audi R8.
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[edit] Business areas
quattro GmbH specialises in four 'key' areas, including the design, testing and production of specialist and high performance Audi cars, such as the R8, RS4 and RS6. They also design and produce the specialist car body parts (such as front bumpers and splitters, side skirts, rear bumpers and diffusers, and spoilers) which are mainly used on the Audi S line trim specification on most of the model range.
[edit] RS cars
The Audi RS cars ethos is one of ultimate sports, dynamic ability, and high performance. They make no compromises, particularly in terms of technology, and visual appeal, with levels of performance comparable with established high performance sports cars, such as the Porsche 911. However, being based on conventional saloon/sedan, or estate/wagon cars, RS owners need make no sacrifice for everyday comfort, luxury and practicality, having all the ameneties and functions of reqular everday mainstream models. quattro GmbH create, design, develop and produce all RS models in conjunction with parent, Audi AG.
The "RS" initials stand for RennSport (German), and is Audi's ultimate high performance trim level, positioned above the "S" ("Sport") specification level of Audi's regular model line-up. RS cars are usually produced in limited numbers, over a limited time scale.
[edit] S line
Audi produce a mainstream trim specification option known as S line. This is developed and created by quattro GmbH for Audi AG for virtually all models in the Audi range. The "S line" is based on a sporty emphasis, and primarily focusses on sports suspension, along with interior sporty enhancements to trim and seating, with exterior body styling components completing the look.
[edit] Audi exclusive
Audi offers potential customers of new cars the possibility of customising their new car beyond the scope of "conventional" options. This facility is called Audi exclusive, and extends to virtually all areas of the car. The customer may choose unique exterior paint, in any colour, and be complemented by alloy wheels originally developed by quattro GmbH. For the interior, the upholstery can be finished in various grades and grains of leathers (including nappa), again in a choice of colours. These coloured leathers may also be applied to interior door coverings, and rear parcel shelves. Headling fabrics can be customised in colour, along with seat belt webbing. The interior can be finished with a wide selection of fine wooden trims, sourced from around the world. Finally, for the traveling business person, a range of in-car office equipment is available.
[edit] Audi lifestyle
In the current markets, many car owners expect to find their favourite brand logo on objects other than the car. quattro GmbH have developed a range of Audi lifestyle products. These include mountain bikes, personal leather goods, such as briefcases, handbags, purses and wallets. The highlight is the "Square chronograph" watch. These products allow Audi owners, and non-owners alike, the ability to express an affinity for the four rings emblem, in fields other than cars.
[edit] Car production
quattro GmbH has historically only been able to produce one model at a time. The first model produced by Audi's quattro GmbH was the Audi RS2 Avant, a joint venture between Porsche and quattro GmbH, from 1994-1996. The second was the 2000-2001 B5 RS4; the third was the 2004 C5 RS6; the fourth was the 2005 B7 A4 DTM edition saloon. Fifth out of quattro GmbH was the 2006 B7 RS4, and (as of 2008) the sixth and latest offering is the 2008 C6 RS6. The R8 is built in a new and separate quattro GmbH plant.
[edit] Audi R8
The Audi R8 two-seat supercar[2] was exclusively developed, and is produced by quattro GmbH. An old factory on the Audi Neckarsulm site was redeveloped, and €28millon was invested in the new R8 prodution line. Around 250 employees work on this car.
[edit] Audi Q7 V12 TDI
quattro GmbH is currently developing, and will subsequently produce the most powerful diesel powered sport utility vehicle (SUV) in its class. The Audi Q7 quattro will be fitted with a V12 TDI engine. A world first, this all new diesel engine displaces 6 Litres, generating 500 PS (493 hp/368 kW), and a massive 1,000 N·m (738 ft·lbf) of torque. This is enough to complete the 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph) dash in 5.5 seconds, making it perform like modern sports cars.[3]
[edit] Comparisons to other brands
quattro GmbH can be regarded to Audi in a similar manner like the other German prestige manufacturers "performance divisions" - such as Mercedes-AMG GmbH to Mercedes-Benz, or BMW M GmbH to BMW.
[edit] References
- ^ quattro GmbH - Investor Relations Audi.com
- ^ Evo video Audi R8 - We can’t think of another supercar that takes a demanding road with such surgical precision
- ^ The new Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro: quattro GmbH develops The Ultimate High-Performance SUV
[edit] See also
- Volkswagen Group
- Audi
- Abt Sportsline, an independent tuning and motor racing company, specialising in VAG products
- list of German cars
[edit] External links
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| Type | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Compact car | A3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Super 90 | Fox (B1) | 4000 (B2) | 80 / 90 (B3) | 80 / 90 (B4) | A4 (B5-B8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4000CS quattro | S4 (B5-B8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size car | ... 100 (C1) | 5000 (C2) | 100 / 200 (C3) | 100 / 200 (C4) | A6 (C4-C6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ur-S4 | Ur-S6 | S6 (C5) | S6 (C6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size car | V8 | A8 / S8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Coupé GT | Quattro T89(B3) | A5 / S5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | TT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports car | Quattro (Ur-Quattro) | RS6 | RS4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| R8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible | Cabriolet (B4) | A4 Cabriolet / S4 Cabriolet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact SUV | Q5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover SUV | allroad quattro | A6 allroad quattro | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luxury SUV | Q7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Founder: August Horch • Audi corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • quattro GmbH • Audi Driving Experience • Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. • VolkswagenGroupAmerica corporate website • Electronics Research Laboratory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
