The Audi Quattro Spyder concept was presented at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1991. The Quattro Spyder was an aluminium bodied mid-engine sports car. It would not be until 2008 that Audi would produce a similar car in production form - this being the superb Audi R8.
Powering the Audi Quattro Spyder was a 2.8 litre V6 developing 174 horsepower and 181 ft/lbs of torque. The 5-speed manual gearbox sent the power to all four wheels - obvious considering the 'Quattro' name.
The aluminium body of the Audi Quattro Spyder concept is roughly 30% lighter than a comparable steel structure, resulting in an overall weight of 1100 kgs (2425 lbs). This prominent use of aluminium now features on many of the models Audi produce today.
When the Audi Quattro Spyder was initially introduced it drew plenty of attention. However despite the positive reaction it was to remain a concept, and only two prototypes were produced, one orange and one green.
Back in the late 1990s, when Lamborghini were starting to realise they needed a replacement for the ageing Diablo, they started reviewing design proposals from various automotive design firms. Zagato’s offering was the Zagato L147 SuperDiablo, or as it was to be later known, the Lamborghini Canto. The Lamborghini Canto first appeared in 1998, it arrived only two years after another Zagato designed Lamborghini concept had been unveiled, the Diablo-based Raptor. The cars shared a number of similar features, including the wraparound windows, triangular lateral air intakes, and trademark double-bubble roof. However of the two, the earlier Raptor was probably the better looking. Clearly Ferdinand Piech – head of the Volkswagen Group – thought so too. After VW bought Lamborghini in 1999, one of his first decisions was to review the Canto’s development and redesign the concept. The car was re-engineered and the rear extensively restyled to include smaller air intakes. The engine was also up