Audis Sci-Fi RSQ Concept Sports Radical Innovations

Soon to Debut on the Big Screen, Audis RSQ will Star in I, Robot

The year is 2035, and the question for car enthusiasts is what will you be driving? If you want to own a future Audi sports car, perhaps the innovative RSQ gives a hint of what to expect. A previous report on Audis collaboration with the film industry on the movie "I, Robot" (20/12/2003 - Audi Concept Car Being Featured in Upcoming Will Smith Sci-Fi Flick), a sci-fi thriller based around the book of the same name by Russian novelist Isaac Asimov, debuts the futuristic Audi that actor and lead character Will Smith drives.

Unlike other films and television shows which take normal cars and alter them for movies, such as the Batmobile in various "Batman" movies, and going way back the futuristic transportation in Woody Allens "Sleeper," the RSQ in "I, Robot" is a revolutionary design and engineering exercise developed in house by Audi.

And just what kind of vehicle will Detective Spooner be driving on his man-hunt for a killer robot? Well, its not a variation of the TT which had been originally predicted, as the RSQ is a mid-engine sports car. Underneath the futuristic new lines is most likely another rendition of Audis upcoming Le Mans supercar, or at least thats good guess.

While exciting, a mid-engine configuration is hardly ground breaking. What is innovative, however, is using spherical balls instead of wheels to connect the car to the road. Director Alex Proyas (The Crow, Dark City) came up with the idea, as well as the RSQs unique insect wing-like doors.

Audi delivered the concept exactly to specification, with honeycomb-patterned orbs that take the place of normal wheels, as well as butterfly doors which open upwards. Unlike gull wings which are hinged at the top, scissors which are hinged at the front, the RSQs are fastened to the car at the C-pillar, and open upwards and outwards.

With requirements met, Audis styling team incorporated many of the companys signature traits as seen on production and concept cars. The large trapezoidal grille (though lacking the usual chrome trim other than the brands four-ringed logo) is fitted up front, with narrow, evil looking xenon headlamps. Meanwhile, its taillamps, as well as the intake and exhaust vents are more conventional.

The roofline, starting at the windshield, is sporty and quite low, looking similar in rake to the current TT. The glass screen continues up through the roof to create a semi-panoramic view of the sky that leads into roof-mounted intakes for the engine.

From start to finish, the RSQ was completed in just ten weeks, including the preliminary designs and sketches. The turnaround from idea to rolling concept was quick for such a unique and complicated design, especially one that is complete with a furnished interior. Overall, its quite similar to the Le Mans concept inside, with low seating position and cup-shaped racing buckets. The RSQs instruments and controls are illuminated in a brilliant blue, and the driver takes hold of a flat-bottomed, semi-steering wheel similar to those used in Formula 1 open-wheel racers.

The RSQ, however, is only one of Audis contributions to "I, Robot." The German marque also donated the futuristic looking background vehicles, police cars and taxies. The new movie, along with Audis fantastic peek at the future of automobiles, will be in theaters shortly.