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Avus returns — but only in pixels (for now)
Audi’s classic Avus quattro concept has been reimagined as a modern “Silver Arrow” in a striking CGI study that imagines what a future Audi sports GT could look like. The digital design comes from David Scott Neal II — known online as nemojunglist — and it channels Auto Union racing heritage with a clean, aerodynamic coupe that looks ready to carve up open roads.
Context from Ingolstadt: a brand in transition
Audi AG has been quietly reshaping its design priorities amid a challenging market. The company reported about 1.6 million global vehicle sales in 2025, trailing German rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Internally, Audi’s creative leadership is pushing back against some recent trends: Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella publicly criticized the “big-screen” interior craze and hinted at a return to more tactile controls. CEO Gernot Dollner has also publicly dismissed the idea of an Audi-badged pickup, but the brand is nonetheless experimenting with bolder exterior language — including the narrow vertical grille introduced by the Concept C.
That corporate pivot makes a CGI revival of the Avus particularly timely. While the studio rendering isn’t an official Audi project, it reflects ideas that could influence future models: purposeful silhouettes, reduced interior screen dominance, and a more assertive front-end signature.
Design highlights of the CGI Avus
The digital Avus concept mixes retro cues with contemporary GT proportions. Key design elements include:
- A pronounced Auto Union-inspired coupe profile that reads as both elegant and aggressive
- Narrow, vertically oriented grille elements that echo Audi’s recent Concept C cues
- Raised rear fender flares and integrated aero wheels for a purposeful stance
- Rear gill-like vents occupying the space where a rear window might normally sit
Quote: "Like a Silver Arrow flying through the wind — velocity, speed and beauty together," the artist says, referencing the speed-focused heritage that informed the rendering.
Performance and packaging — educated guessing
The CGI lacks technical details, but the packaging suggests a mid-engine grand tourer rather than a front-engined sportscar. Enthusiasts have speculated about shared hardware with the wider Volkswagen Group’s performance stable — for example, drivetrain components adapted from Lamborghini’s latest high-output platforms (reports point to the 907-hp Temerario as one hypothetical donor). Whether Audi would pursue a hybrid, fully electric, or internal-combustion approach for a successor to the R8 remains open.
Highlights to consider:
- Potential mid-engine layout for improved balance and handling
- Aerodynamic focus: gills and flares that read as functional rather than purely decorative
- Design language that could tie into Audi’s move away from oversized infotainment dominance
Market positioning and comparisons
If Audi ever decided to revive a flagship sports GT, it would fill the void left by the R8 and offer a halo model that reconnects the brand with its racing roots. Compared to rivals, such a car would have to balance luxury GT comfort with supercar performance — something a tempered, Auto Union-inspired design might help achieve.
Final thoughts — concept or preview?
This CGI Avus is both an imaginative tribute and a directional hint. It’s not an official Audi preview, but it’s a useful thought experiment about how Ingolstadt might reinterpret its heritage: cleaner cockpits, stronger grille identity, and a more athletic silhouette. Whether Audi follows this exact path is unlikely, but elements of the CGI could influence future product language.
Do you think a modern Avus-like grand tourer should become Audi’s next halo model — yay or nay?
Source: autoevolution
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