There are always a few surprises at the VW Group Night, a precursor to the main event, and this year the Audi Nanuk Quattro Concept leads the charge. If the crossover looks familiar then consider its creator, Italdesign, is responsible for the Giugiaro Parcour Concept unveiled earlier this year. Motivation comes from a newly-developed 5.0-liter twin-turbo V10 diesel unit rated at 544 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to all four 22-inch wheels via a seven-speed S tronic and a specially-designed AWD Quattro system.

The 1,900 kg two-seater sprints from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and manages a top speed of 190 mph. Economy is an impressive 30 mpg given the performance capabilities. Audi has fitted the concept with its latest adaptive air suspension that allows the driver to drop the car 30 mm closer to the tarmac or raise it by 40 mm. The system also automatically controls the level of the body using the sat-nav and driving speed for guidance. Another fancy bit of kit is the car's integral steering, allowing the rear wheels to turn up to nine degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels when travelling at slow-to-medium speeds thus reducing the car's turning circle.

At high speed, the rear wheels turn up to 2.5 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels, virtually extending the wheelbase for improved stability. Style-wise, an aluminum body with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer components is finished in Extreme Red, featuring the new Audi Matrix LEDs, wing-shaped cameras instead of mirrors, an R8-style vertical sideblade and a smaller moveable blade behind the side window, while the entire rear bodywork comes off in one piece for easy access to the window-covered TDI unit. Inside, a minimalist cockpit sports touches of carbon and aluminum, a programmable instrument cluster, and monitors acting as mirrors.