Currently reading: Audi Sport Quattro could make production as performance GT

Audi's performance-based Sport Quattro concept could be built to sit between the TT and R8 in the firm's model range

The Audi Sport Quattro concept has production potential as a performance GT to sit between the Audi TT and Audi R8 in the firm’s line-up, technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg has revealed at the Detroit motor show.

The Sport Qauttro was seen as a high-performance 690bhp hybrid at the Frankfurt motor show last September, prompting speculation that it would usurp the R8 as Audi’s performance flagship.

But Hackenberg said such a model, if it were to make production, would require a big investment and would need to be built in greater numbers as a result, therefore making it the firm’s mid-range sporting GT makes more sense

The Sport Quattro was as much about showing the versatility of the upcoming new MLB platform, which will underpin all Audi saloons and SUVs bigger from the Audi A4 and Audi Q5 up.

“There are many driveline possibilities for the car,” said Hackenberg. “It has a lot of potential due to the platform, one of them very powerful. If we have a car on the modular system, we can take other drivelines. It has a potential for bigger volume. To make this car requires a big investment, and it makes sense for us to widen its potential.”

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Mark Tisshaw

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Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.