Audi: A2 news
#41
Autocar
Audi has confirmed plans for a lightweight, all-electric successor to the A2 — six years after the pioneering first-generation model ceased production.
The new A2 is previewed by this four-seat concept car, which will make its world debut at next week’s Frankfurt motor show. It is pencilled in to go on sale in 2013.
The five-door hatch retains the distinctive silhouette, short overhangs, shallow glasshouse treatment and aluminium spaceframe construction of the original A2. However, it receives a more technical appearance in keeping with other recent new Audis, notably the A1, with which the new car will share elements of its chassis and underpinnings.
The concept is 3800mm in length, 1690mm in width and 1490mm in height — that’s 26mm shorter, 17mm wider and 63mm lower than the original A2.
Key design features include a newly interpreted blanked-off version of Audi’s single-frame grille, angular headlamps, short bonnet, high waistline, prominent shoulder line, sloping roof and near-vertical hatchback. The glass roof alters its transparency at the push of a button.
As well as previewing the new A2’s looks, the concept showcases Audi’s latest LED tech, known as matrix beam. The headlamps use so-called micro-reflectors to generate a high-resolution, non-glaring high beam, while the tail-lamps adapt their illumination to the visibility conditions. The rear foglight is seen as a beam of light and projects, via laser diodes, a red triangle on to the road.
Audi is yet to reveal details of the new A2’s driveline. However, sources close to the German car maker say that the A2 is planned to be sold with both a standard electric and optional range-extended driveline. Such a move would mirror that of BMW, with its new i3, which is also set to make its public premiere at the Frankfurt motor show.
Inside, the A2 concept has four individual seats. The squabs of each seat fold to reveal storage space. The floor is described as being flat in a move that enables Audi to mount batteries low within the car’s structure.
A hi-tech dashboard has been designed to provide a clean look devoid of traditional switchgear. All controls are contained within a pod that also supports the steering wheel. Behind it sits a large colour monitor that offers internet access and traditional readouts. A secondary monitor is mounted lower, alongside the driver’s right thigh.
Audi has confirmed plans for a lightweight, all-electric successor to the A2 — six years after the pioneering first-generation model ceased production.
The new A2 is previewed by this four-seat concept car, which will make its world debut at next week’s Frankfurt motor show. It is pencilled in to go on sale in 2013.
The five-door hatch retains the distinctive silhouette, short overhangs, shallow glasshouse treatment and aluminium spaceframe construction of the original A2. However, it receives a more technical appearance in keeping with other recent new Audis, notably the A1, with which the new car will share elements of its chassis and underpinnings.
The concept is 3800mm in length, 1690mm in width and 1490mm in height — that’s 26mm shorter, 17mm wider and 63mm lower than the original A2.
Key design features include a newly interpreted blanked-off version of Audi’s single-frame grille, angular headlamps, short bonnet, high waistline, prominent shoulder line, sloping roof and near-vertical hatchback. The glass roof alters its transparency at the push of a button.
As well as previewing the new A2’s looks, the concept showcases Audi’s latest LED tech, known as matrix beam. The headlamps use so-called micro-reflectors to generate a high-resolution, non-glaring high beam, while the tail-lamps adapt their illumination to the visibility conditions. The rear foglight is seen as a beam of light and projects, via laser diodes, a red triangle on to the road.
Audi is yet to reveal details of the new A2’s driveline. However, sources close to the German car maker say that the A2 is planned to be sold with both a standard electric and optional range-extended driveline. Such a move would mirror that of BMW, with its new i3, which is also set to make its public premiere at the Frankfurt motor show.
Inside, the A2 concept has four individual seats. The squabs of each seat fold to reveal storage space. The floor is described as being flat in a move that enables Audi to mount batteries low within the car’s structure.
A hi-tech dashboard has been designed to provide a clean look devoid of traditional switchgear. All controls are contained within a pod that also supports the steering wheel. Behind it sits a large colour monitor that offers internet access and traditional readouts. A secondary monitor is mounted lower, alongside the driver’s right thigh.
#52
http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...REEN/130109984
A2 cancelled
A2 cancelled
The EV revolution seems to be trickling on in fits and starts. Automakers have unleashed a veritable raft of possible electric vehicles in the past few years, though many are simply pie-in-the-sky think pieces, never to grace your local charging station.
Others, like the Chevrolet Spark EV, will be available for purchase and/or lease in the near future. Audi's A2 concept from the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show seemed destined for driveways as a more conventionally styled alternative to BMW's rather radical i3.
On paper, the A2 sounded like an enjoyable little machine: handsome-hatch looks, 114 electric horses, battery pack mounted in a sandwich floor for a low center of gravity all stuffed into urban-runabout dimensions that compared nicely with the last car to wear the A2 badge -- a Bauhaus-flavored runabout that exited the marketplace in 2005.
Talk of a range-extending internal-combustion mill was also part and parcel of the proposed A2 program. Now that parcel won't be shipping. Audi's decided that the environment isn't exactly ripe for another compact premium EV.
We're very interested to see how this segment shakes out, given that BMW's i3 pricing will likely put it very close to the base Tesla Model S, a larger vehicle with a longer manufacturer-advertised range. Tesla claims 160 miles for their 40 kWh sedan (our recent test vehicle featured the 85 kWh pack), while the i3 will likely come in somewhere between 80 and 100 miles of range, putting it roughly in line with current hatchback electric vehicles.
The major reason we've been so hard on the Coda Sedan is that the company's asking a lot of scratch for an unfinished car wrapped around an interesting battery. Yet it's what the startup has to charge to even attempt to survive. Electric vehicles are still pricey to build, yet automakers like GM, Nissan and BMW clearly think an early foothold will pay future dividends.
Meanwhile, the minds at Audi believe their diesel-and-hybrid strategy will carry them through until the battery-electric waters reach a temperature more favorable for entry.
Others, like the Chevrolet Spark EV, will be available for purchase and/or lease in the near future. Audi's A2 concept from the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show seemed destined for driveways as a more conventionally styled alternative to BMW's rather radical i3.
On paper, the A2 sounded like an enjoyable little machine: handsome-hatch looks, 114 electric horses, battery pack mounted in a sandwich floor for a low center of gravity all stuffed into urban-runabout dimensions that compared nicely with the last car to wear the A2 badge -- a Bauhaus-flavored runabout that exited the marketplace in 2005.
Talk of a range-extending internal-combustion mill was also part and parcel of the proposed A2 program. Now that parcel won't be shipping. Audi's decided that the environment isn't exactly ripe for another compact premium EV.
We're very interested to see how this segment shakes out, given that BMW's i3 pricing will likely put it very close to the base Tesla Model S, a larger vehicle with a longer manufacturer-advertised range. Tesla claims 160 miles for their 40 kWh sedan (our recent test vehicle featured the 85 kWh pack), while the i3 will likely come in somewhere between 80 and 100 miles of range, putting it roughly in line with current hatchback electric vehicles.
The major reason we've been so hard on the Coda Sedan is that the company's asking a lot of scratch for an unfinished car wrapped around an interesting battery. Yet it's what the startup has to charge to even attempt to survive. Electric vehicles are still pricey to build, yet automakers like GM, Nissan and BMW clearly think an early foothold will pay future dividends.
Meanwhile, the minds at Audi believe their diesel-and-hybrid strategy will carry them through until the battery-electric waters reach a temperature more favorable for entry.
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