Audi Ur-Quattro successor could be ready by 2010

Few production cars have inspired popular sentiment or motorsport victories the way the original Audi Quattro coupe did, and after 19 long years, the time could finally be right for a comeback by late 2010.

Audi has previously drawn parallels between the styling of the A5 Coupe and the Ur-Quattro - German for 'original' Quattro - so it's no surprise it is the front-runner to underpin the rebirth of the legendary rally monster.

Focusing on lightweight through materials and design, the new Quattro is expected to weigh in under 3,080lb (1,400kg). That's a savings of about 530lb (240kg) over the standard A5. The lightweight program could include motorsports-inspired touches like polycarbonate in place of some of the glass, reports Auto Motor & Sport, as well as thinner glass elsewhere and extensive use of aluminum. Smaller and lighter accessories, including a reduced air conditioning system, could also help cut weight.

Lightweight but large wheels - 19 or 20in - are planned, as are ceramic brakes and possibly an active rear spoiler. At each corner a magnetic-ride suspension will dynamically adjust to the conditions and whim of the driver, while the quattro sport differential keeps the AWD system at maximum traction.

All of that is for naught without a solid powerplant, however, and that element appears to still be up in the air. The standard Audi 4.2L V8 could be used, though a turbocharger was a necessary ingredient in the original design. That leaves Audi's choice of turbo V6s or four-cylinders from the corporate parts bin.

Both a twin-turbo V6, rated at 425hp (317kW) and a twin-turbo 2.0L four, rated at about 300hp (223kW) are on the short list, though the 2.5L five-cylinder out of the TT-RS would be the most authentic choice, matching the cylinder count and displacement of the second-gen Quattro, built from 1987 to 1991. If Audi goes that route, output could be as high as 400hp (298kW), according to the latest word from Car.

There are even rumors that a hybrid variant with either a mechanical 'flybrid' system or an more conventional electric hybrid system with up to 20mi (30km) of electric-only range could be in the works, though that would certainly have to wait until after the standard model's debut, which isn't expected until mid-2010 for the 30th anniversary of the Ur-Quattro. Production, no doubt in limited numbers, would then follow toward the end of the year.

Pricing, like performance, is expected to fall between the S5 and R8.