Autoblog

Audi scuttles A2 plans

Michael Harley — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Audi, Design/Style, Electric

Wave goodbye to the Audi A2, as the electric car concept first shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show apparently won't be making it into production. Sources have told Britain's Autocar that the lightweight Audi vehicle - originally destined to compete against the BMW i3 and the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class - was a good engineering study, but today's lackluster global EV sales are at least partially to blame for its demise.

Like its production predecessor, the original A2, the four-door concept shown above was constructed mostly of aluminum. The Audi concept also incorporated carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer and other lightweight materials to minimize mass - the four-passenger hatchback weighed just over 2,500 pounds. The 2011 A2 concept was engineered with a "sandwich floor" construction not entirely dissimilar to that of the original A-Class. The construction method allowed the A2's lithium-ion battery pack to reside beneath the passenger compartment, while its 114 horsepower motor drove a single-speed transmission sending power to the front wheels. After a reasonably quick four-hour charge, it was expected to deliver a range of about 125 miles.

Had the program received the green light, the A2 was expected to be released in 2014 as both a pure EV and as a plug-in hybrid.

Audi scuttles A2 plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A2 Concept is an utterly fantastical electric car, with lasers

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi, Electric

The jump from teaser rendering to metal was kind to the new Audi A2 concept, which debuted in Frankfurt today. The sketch looked good, but the real thing is even better, with elegant lines that flow from the headlights and then around the side. Of course, we know that what's really important here is the laser...

Audi acknowledges that the A2 is nothing more than a "concept technology study," which meant that the designers were able to go a bit crazy with this all-electric vehicle. This includes a built-in internet connection, steering and braking by-wire systems and, yes, a rear fog light laser that projects a warning triangle on mist behind the car when visibility is compromised.

Anyone who knows a little something about electric vehicles will tell you that for Audi to pack a 31-kWh lithium-ion battery into a car that weighs just 1,150 kilograms (2,535 lb), some sort of wizardry needed to happen. Sure, only 24 kWh of the pack is usable to give the car a claimed range of 200 km (124 miles) on the European driving cycle, but 31 kWh is a heavy pack.

To take weight out of the rest of the car, Audi uses tricks like "cladding technology" to make the 18-inch wheels, dispensed with hinges for the non-existent hood and put lightweight graphite foam cooling elements behind the grille. The full details are available in the press release after the jump, but the takeaway points remain: laser, lightweight and li-ion. We fear how much this would cost if it were to ever go on sale.

Continue reading Audi A2 Concept is an utterly fantastical electric car, with lasers

Audi A2 Concept is an utterly fantastical electric car, with lasers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi releases first pics of A2 Concept

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Audi, Electric

Audi has released the first handful of (CG-enhanced) pics of the A2 Concept bound for next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, and it's not bad - assuming you're partial to your refrigerator.

Appliance-inspired styling aside, the A2 is Audi's answer to the BMW i3, but is rumored to arrive two years after BMW's premium EV in 2013.

An 85kW electric motor drives the front wheels through a single-speed transmission, with a maximum of 199 pound-feet of torque and an estimated range of around 125 miles thanks to its lithium-ion battery pack. Charging will take around four hours on a 240-volt outlet, while the A2 will zip from 0-to-60 miles per hour in just over nine seconds before topping out at a limited 93 mph. A fair amount of aluminum and carbon fiber keeps the weight down to 2,535 pounds - about 200 pounds less than the i3 - and Audi says an autonomous driving mode will be part of the package.

Expect more from the Frankfurt show floor next week.

Audi releases first pics of A2 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electric Audi A2 concept whirs towards Frankfurt

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi, Electric

The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is nearly upon us, and concept vehicles are flying out of the ether at an ever-increasing rate. Audi has foisted the latest concept salvo upon the automotive world with its electric A2 concept. It's a compact four-seater with an eye towards tomorrow's style and long-range performance.

With the A2 Concept, Audi is looking to move its LED lighting technology into the next generation. The headlights feature a high-resolution, non-glaring high beam and high-efficiency low beam light modules. For the taillights, Audi is looking towards laser lighting, and the rear-facing illumination uses diodes that project a beam of light while also adapting to the changing lighting conditions. Additionally, the brake lights will adjust their illumination based on how much force is applied to the pedal.

There's no word on what will power this A2 concept, but Audi promises a mixture of long driving ranges and performance. It will certainly be a neat trick if it can deliver both.

Click past the jump for the press release, and check out more of the A2 concept by clicking through the gallery. We imagine that some of what you see here in rendered-conceptual form will make it into upcoming Audi small cars.

Continue reading Electric Audi A2 concept whirs towards Frankfurt

Electric Audi A2 concept whirs towards Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A2 e-tron coming to Frankfurt?

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi, Rumormill, Electric

Over the past few years, Audi has teased us with a number of reasons to think that the automaker's next-generation A2 may be offered with an electric-only powertrain, or maybe with some type of plug-in hybrid option.

Back in March, the rumormill blazed with reports that the upcoming "state-of-the-art" A2 will tip the scales at a scant 1,800 pounds. Here's hoping such a low weight target doesn't imply that Audi's use of unobtanium materials will interrupt the debut of the A2.

New rumors have popped up that Audi will unveil its European-only electric A2 e-tron concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this September. We'll believe it when we see it.

According to internet buzz, deciding on powertrains to pack into the compact A2 and setting an aggressive weight target has pushed back the vehicle's launch until... well, sometime before the end of this decade.

Audi A2 e-tron coming to Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi cancels R4, delays A2

Zach Bowman — Fri, 06 May 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Etc., Audi, Volkswagen, Rumormill, Diesel

Audi e-Tron Detroit Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors are kicking around the interwebs that Audi has outright axed the delicious R4. The vehicle was intended to drop into the company's model line just below the TT, borrow more than a few styling cues from the luscious e-tron Detroit Concept and get its power from a range of efficient and powerful diesel engines. If that sounds good enough to bring a tear to your eye, get ready for some real waterworks. According to reports, the model has been canned because it would step on too many familial toes. In addition to robbing sales from the TT, Audi is worried that Porsche Boxster and Cayenne sales may see a hit, as well.

In addition, the R4 platform-mate, the Volkswagen BlueSport has also been scrapped due to cost concerns.

If that's not enough of a beating for your, Audi has one last kick in the ribs to share: the A2 resurrection has also been delayed until at least 2016. The reason? The German automaker doesn't want to have to shell out for a unique chassis for the vehicle and instead wants to find a suitable sister model to help spread the cost around.

Still, these reports come from various murky sources. Audi has yet to say word one about either the R4 or the A2.

Audi cancels R4, delays A2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 May 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Audi to bring back the A2 to slot in between A1, A3

Noah Joseph — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Remember when German automakers' line-ups were fairly straightforward? Take Audi, for example. There was the A4, the A6, and the A8. And that was pretty much it. But now there's an A1, A3, A5, A7, TT, R8, Q5, Q7...the list keeps growing. And it looks ready to keep on growing, too, as reports come in of Ingolstadt's plans to bring back the A2.

The original A2, as you may recall, was a lightweight premium hatchback that was built from 1999 through 2005. A little too pricey and a little too ahead of its time, the A2 never gained the traction in the world's marketplaces (it was never offered in North America). But now that nearly every automaker is exploring smaller vehicles and customers are detaching themselves from the notion that luxury equates with a certain size, the time could be right for the A2's return.

Of course it would have to slot in between the new A1 and the existing A3, and differentiate itself from both. Sources suggest that the new A2's curb weight could actually undercut its predecessor, which tipped the scales at under 2,000 pounds thanks to its lightweight aluminum spaceframe construction. To get there, the A2 could be the first to use Audi's new MLB-Evo multi-material platform, made out of steel, aluminum and composites bonded, screwed and riveted together for optimal weight, rigidity and cost.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Audi to bring back the A2 to slot in between A1, A3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi A2 coming back in 2012

Chris Shunk — Fri, 07 May 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Rumormill

With its lightweight aluminum spaceframe and miniature luxury aspirations, the first generation Audi A2 was a vehicle a bit ahead of its time. That would make the little Audi a revolutionary vehicle were it not for the fact that customers weren't all that interested with the price premium that comes with expensive spaceframe technology, and it could be argued that the A2 wasn't all that attractive, either. See above and decide for yourselves.

In any case, Autocar reports that the four-ringed automaker will make a second go at the A2 in 2012, but this time the innovative and expensive spaceframe won't be part of the package. The British site claims that the next A2 will inherit a version of the traditional steel unibody layout from the A1, giving Audi more cost leverage when competing with the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the small front drive near-lux segment.

Audi chairman Rupert Stadler reportedly stated that an EV variant is a possibility for the upcoming A2, with hardware not unlike that of the A1 e-tron concept. Regardless of the variant of A2 Audi is considering, we're not too hopeful that the little German will ever make its way Stateside.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Audi A2 coming back in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 May 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quattro Quarterly lays out Audi's five-year plan for world domination

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Supercars, Audi

The Audi Club of North America puts out a publication aptly titled the Quattro Quarterly that gives Audi owners the inside skinny on everything from future products to how to swap bigger brakes into their B5 S4. One of our intrepid readers, Kevin, sent us a few scans of the QQ's latest issue, where it outlines Audi's product plans for the next five years. While some of it has already been confirmed, other interesting factoids, including the future of the R8, RS-TT and the development of an R4, have long been rumored on these very pages. Follow the jump for the full breakdown on what Audi has in store, but be aware that we're handing out grains of salt below the fold.

Continue reading Quattro Quarterly lays out Audi's five-year plan for world domination

Quattro Quarterly lays out Audi's five-year plan for world domination originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi planning MINI-fighter?

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Audi

Rumors are still swirling that Audi is considering a new small car, the A1. What Car? speculates that the hypothetical A1 family would be positioned below the not very successful A2, perhaps using the next generation VW Polo platform. In order to keep costs down, the A1 is expected to eschew the A2's expensive aluminum construction and quattro all-wheel drive will likely not be an option.

Speculation spans a family of A1 models, with the Photoshopped roadster shown at right our personal favorite. The A1 could hit the market in 2010, which means we likely won't see auto show versions until 2009.

[Source: What Car?]

Related posts:
More details on the Audi A1
Another Audi A1
Audi's A1 Mini-killer a hoax
Audi to build a Mini-killer

Audi planning MINI-fighter? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi product push includes A2, A5, A7, A8, Q3 and Q5

John Neff — Wed, 17 May 2006 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Europe, Crossover, Audi

German luxury marque Audi is preparing a product push that will considerably grow the company's lineup by the end of the decade. The new models include an A4-based four-seat grand tourer called the A5 inspired the Nuvolari concept car, a four-door coupe based on the A6 called the A7 (AutoWeek illustration shown), an all-new A2 aimed at the MINI, the redesigned A8 with V12 diesel and V10 gas powerplants, an A4-based low riding CUV inspired by the Roadjet concept and finally an even smaller Golf-based SUV called the Q3. You can check out the schedule for each vehicle over at GermanCarBlog.

[Source: AutoWeek and GermanCarBlog]

Related:
Audi A7 coupe in the works
Spy Shots: Audi A5 coupe
Audi readying to battle with BMW and Porsche

Audi product push includes A2, A5, A7, A8, Q3 and Q5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 May 2006 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi to go MINI-hunting with next A2

Chris Paukert — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Budget

It won't be long now... Audi is reworking their revolutionary yet spendy (and slow-selling) A2 into a more conventional, fashion-forward MINI fighter. Word 'round the campfire is that the littlest Audi will be a steel-bodied proposition screwed to parent Volkswagen's Polo platform, a front-wheel-drive vehicle.

Audi Chairman Martin Winterkorn promises the next A2 by 2008, and is going so far as to predict that the A2 will posess iconic style, which may be something of a stretch if styling resembles that of the company's (admittedly attractive) Shooting Brake concept from the Tokyo Motor show.

All of which begs the question: will the A2 be sold in America, and if so, will VW further leverage their Polo platform by bringing it Stateside as well?

[Source: AutoWeek]

Audi to go MINI-hunting with next A2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Mar 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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