The most "unusual" models from Audi, at the Techno Classica in Essen

Every brand has a dark corner. These are the models that were at some point a good idea from the minds of very capable engineers. Then they reached the assembly phase to go to that so important motor show and they found that perhaps it had not been such a good idea after all. Audi has some of these models, which are not horrible models, but have been relegated to a third or fourth plan, never reaching production.

At the annual classic car gathering in Essen, Techno Classica, which opens its doors on April 6 until the following 10th, Audi will bring to this event three of these vehicles that wanted to be something relevant and ended up as nothing. There will be a presence of other classic cars of the brand, but these are the three that will stand out among them.

The first of these cars will be the Audi quattro Spyder, a mid-engined car that was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1991. The weight of this car was reduced to 1,100 kg thanks to an aluminum body. Buyers were very interested in this model, which was announced with a final price of 100,000 German marks, a figure that was never realistic and could not be achieved. In the end, it remained a prototype that could have been a good car for the brand.

That same year, and only one month later, an even more attractive and powerful model was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Audi Avus quattro concept featured a more refined aluminum body. The engine was also placed in a central position, although in this case it was decided to include twice the number of cylinders, creating a W12 engine capable of delivering a power output of 509 CV.

Another of the cars that will be present is the Audi Group S, a vehicle designed to compete in rallies, but which never took part because the FIA eliminated Group S from competition following a spectacular accident in Portugal, in which Audi was not involved but the brand was affected by the body’s decision. It was the year 1986 and it never had the chance to prove its worth in competition.

You will also be able to see a motorcycle unique in the world. A piece that competed in 1930 and will not be the only one. The big surprise is the exhibition of a motorcycle that the Pre-Development department of Audi built in 1976. The motorcycle was very much of its time, but Audi’s strategy recommended not marketing it. Now, it can be seen at the brand’s stand at the event.

Source | Audi