Three powerful characters have come together at the 60th Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA): the Audi Pikes Peak quattro, Audi Nuvolari quattro and – the surprise of the IAA – the Audi Le Mans quattro.

This year, more than ever before, Audi has given the public an insight into its plans and the possible future of new vehicle concepts. And there is certainly plenty to talk about, thanks to the trio of the year 2003: the Audi Pikes Peak quattro (show debut at Detroit in January), Audi Nuvolari quattro (show debut at Geneva in March) and Audi Le Mans quattro (show debut at Frankfurt in September).

For all their distinctiveness, the three studies have more than one thing in common: they are all ready to be driven, exemplify innovative vehicle concepts and demonstrate the unmistakable sportiness of new Audi vehicle generations. And, of course, they all have quattro permanent four-wheel drive.

Pikes Peak, Nuvolari and Le Mans, however, also all represent milestones on the road to the new Audi design approach. The vehicle bodies look taut and in peak condition, just like high-performance athletes. The new single-frame radiator grille is a distinctive feature on the front end of all three vehicles. It signifies an evolutionary step and was created by linking the two double-grille segments on the current Audi model generation.

Audi Pikes Peak quattro: 4+2-seater sporty crossover vehicle in the premium segment, suitable for off-road driving. 4.2-litre biturbo FSI V8, 368 kW (500 bhp), 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, top speed of 250 km/h (governed).

Audi Nuvolari quattro: 2+2-seater coupé with the proportions of a classic GT. 5.0-litre biturbo FSI V10 engine, 441 kW (600 bhp), 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, top speed of 250 km/h (governed).

Audi Le Mans quattro: high-performance sports car with the genes of the Le Mans winner. 5.0-litre biturbo FSI V10 engine, 449 kW (610 bhp), 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, top speed of 250 km/h (governed).