Audi’s Secret Weapon for Off-Roading Could Be Hiding Inside Its Wheels

[Source: Carmoses]

Audi is known for building some incredibly capable all-wheel-drive vehicles. From the legendary quattro rally cars to the Dakar-winning RS Q e-tron, the four rings have a long history of venturing beyond paved roads. However, Audi hasn’t exactly been a competitor to the Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz G-Class. That could eventually change, and a newly discovered patent might offer another clue about Audi’s off-road ambitions.

According to Carmoses, Audi has filed a German patent application for an innovative internal double-beadlock wheel system. Unlike conventional beadlock wheels, which typically feature a visible ring of bolts around the outer rim, Audi’s design hides the hardware inside the tire.

Why does that matter? Serious off-road enthusiasts frequently lower tire pressures to increase traction when navigating rocks, sand, and mud. Unfortunately, reducing air pressure also increases the risk of a tire separating from its wheel under heavy loads. Beadlock systems mechanically secure the tire to help prevent that from happening.

Audi’s solution uses two internal clamping rings connected by six spacer rods. The rings secure both tire beads against the wheel, while the rods hold everything in position. The clever part is that Audi could use different-length rods to accommodate various wheel widths without redesigning the entire system.

The design could also be lighter and less expensive to manufacture than conventional internal beadlock systems. Materials under consideration include metal, rubber, and fiber-reinforced plastics. So, what exactly is Audi planning?

The automaker has previously acknowledged interest in developing a more serious off-road SUV. Reports have even suggested that Audi could leverage Volkswagen Group’s Scout platform and manufacturing operations in South Carolina to create a potential Defender rival.

However, nothing has been officially confirmed, and a patent application certainly doesn’t guarantee that the technology will reach production.

Still, it’s an intriguing development. Audi has already demonstrated its off-road engineering capabilities by winning the 2024 Dakar Rally. Perhaps its next challenge will be bringing that expertise to an SUV designed for customers who want to venture considerably farther off-road than the average Q7 owner. And if that happens, one of its most interesting innovations might be something nobody can see.