If you were thinking of visiting Audi's Forum Ingolstadt, going before the end of April will mean you catch their exhibition of prototypes. Twelve prototypes will be on display from 1st February to 30th April, ranging from the NSU Ro80 Pininfarina quarz to the Quattro spyder.
Audi has had a strong stream of concept cars in recent years, which have added to the prototype heritage on display at the museum. There are some to show Audi's prescience: the glorious-looking Avus was the first VAG product to feature a W12 engine; the Audi Student was a step towards a small car project for Audi back in 1970; the ASF (Audi Space Frame) concept of 1993, with its aluminium body and V8 turbodiesel direct injection unit.
There are some intriguing curiosities - the 1976 Audi motorcycle, with a four cylinder engine from the Audi 50, and the Quattro spyder - an idea which may produce the odd wistful sigh.
Audi's later concept cars have perhaps been a little more about style and a little less about applicable innovations. So there are the Rosemeyer, Nuvolari and RSQ prototypes, the latter familiar from the film 'I, Robot'.
There are also some that pointed the way fairly precisely to Audi's future plans: the Avantissimo, Pikes Peak quattro and Steppenwolf. As well as design drawings, there is an inspiration wall and even an aroma bar. The museum is open all week from 9am to 6pm.
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