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Audi says the Cross Cabriolet Quattro concept, on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show ushers in a new vehicle segment; and rightly so, the Cross Cabriolet is a convertible, and an SUV! The vehicle blends the best of SUVs and Convertibles.

Exteriors of the Cross Cabriolet show a prominent grille, perhaps larger than any other car from Audi. The B-pillar has been done away with and the soft top disappears behind the rear seats in just seventeen seconds. The vehicle comes with full LED headlights and the turn signal, brake lights and tail lamps, all use LEDs as well.

Covered in ‘Copper Sunset’ shade and rolling on 21-inch wheels, Audi’s latest design study does present a pretty sight. The concept is 4.62m long, 1.91m wide and has a wheelbase of 2.81m.

Interiors provide the comfort of an SUV and the sportiness of a convertible. Seating is upholstered with ‘White Stone’ leather. The cockpit is created with precision and ergonomics in mind. Passengers in the second row would best feel the SUV-like design with good legroom, shoulder space and headroom; even when the top is on.

Audi’s new concept comes plush with lots of gadgets for safety, navigation and infotainment. A domed cowl behind the steering wheel houses the instrument dials and an integrated LCD display. MMI terminal has the upper section of the central console to call home. Google Earth joins Audi’s navigation system to provide better and more accurate maps and navigation, in high resolution and with user-friendly graphics.

A Bang & Olufsen sound system and internet radio provides 505 Watts of sound and access to the radio stations over the internet. To ease communication between the occupants, the car comes equipped with an intercom system. This eliminates the need to raise your voice and is particularly handy when driving with the top down.

Cross Cabriolet quattro concept has a new 3.0L diesel with common rail direct injection. The engine develops 240bhp and a torque of 500Nm, enabling the car to catapult from zero to 100kmph in 7.2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 240kmph. The TDI engine provides a good fuel economy, requiring just 7.3 liters of fuel to travel 100km. Use of an efficient engine and clean exhaust means the car has low emissions; it already satisfies EU 6 limits that are to be enforced in 2014.

The vehicle uses dynamic chassis for better ride quality, and if your offroading demands it, you can take the ride height up by 40mm by just pressing a button. Production version of the concept might make a debut next year, but that means some cool features of the design may be done away with.