Audi Is Getting Serious About Off-Roading
Rumors about Audi jumping into the hardcore off-road SUV game have been swirling for some time. The brand has admitted it’s looking into building something tougher than its current Q-series crossovers, especially after American buyers started asking for it. CEO Gernot Döllner has talked about the idea before, but so far, Audi hasn’t pulled the trigger on actually making one.
Now, we’ve got another breadcrumb to follow. A German patent application that popped up last week shows Audi is tinkering with a new internal double beadlock system for wheels – specifically, the kind you’d want if you’re planning to bash through the rough stuff. It doesn’t guarantee a full-blown off-roader is on the way, but this tech would definitely fit the bill for something built to handle real abuse.
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A Different Take on Beadlock Wheels
First spotted by CarMoses, Audi’s patent sketches out a beadlock setup that uses two clamping rings joined by a handful of smaller spacers. The idea is to keep both sides of the tire’s bead locked down tight against the wheel, so nothing pops loose when things get hairy.
That’s a bit different from the usual one-piece internal beadlock inserts, which tend to be chunky and pricey to make. Audi’s take splits the job in two: the rings clamp onto the tire beads, while the spacers hold everything in place and set the gap between them.
Audi could use spacers of different lengths to fit various wheel widths, so there’s no need to redesign the whole system each time. The patent also says the rings and spacers could be made from materials like rubber, reinforced plastics, or metal. This could make the setup easier to build, lighter, and possibly less expensive.
But there’s a catch. Beadlock wheels aren’t street-legal everywhere. In the US, aftermarket wheels have to play by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. That’s why a lot of beadlock wheels you see are stamped ‘off-road use only’ – the makers don’t bother certifying them for road duty. So if Audi wants to slap this tech on a production SUV you can actually drive to the trailhead, they’ll have to jump through some regulatory hoops first.
Could This Work on a Future Audi SUV?
A double beadlock setup like this would be a game-changer for any rig built to get dirty. Airing down your tires gives you more grip on sand, mud, or rocks, but it also makes it way easier for the tire bead to slip off the wheel when things get rough.
By securing both sides of the tire, Audi’s setup could keep everything in place, even during demanding driving. Also, the modular design could help Audi offer different wheel options for any future off-roader they develop.
For now, though, this is just an idea on paper, not a promise you’ll see it at your local Audi dealer anytime soon. Car companies love to patent wild ideas just in case, but plenty of them never make it past the drawing board. Same goes for trademarks – they’re not always a sign that something new is actually coming.
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