Autoblog

Rumormill: Audi A2 could be electric only, or not

Chris Shunk — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, Rumormill, Electric

Audi A1 e-tron concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The original, all-aluminum Audi A2 was a unique beast, which Heinrich Timm, Audi's head of lightweight design, maintains was ahead of its time. However, the rumored 2012 A2 is likely to utilize a steel unibody platform, and the latest reports indicate that Audi's mini-lux will have a new reason for being special.

Autocar quotes anonymous sources who say the next A2 could be Audi's first electric-only vehicle. While the UK rag doesn't go into detail, Audi has dropped hints that a variant of the A2 could utilize the extended-range EV hardware under the hood of the A1 e-tron concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The e-tron utilized a 60 horsepower electric motor paired to a 330-pound lithium ion battery pack. The "extended range" part of the A1 e-tron concept comes courtesy of a small, powerful rotary engine that would work as a generator whenever the battery pack was depleted. Audi quotes the EV range of the A1 e-tron concept at about 33 miles per charge.

Do we think the A2 will be electric-only? Our magic eight-ball says "ask again later," so we're thinking the earliest we'll know anything is this September at the Paris Motor Show.

Gallery: Audi A1 e-tron concept

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Audi A2 could be electric only, or not originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 18:31:00 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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Report: Audi working on successor to A2?

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, Rumormill, Electric

Audi A1 e-tron concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Seeing the Audi A1 and A1 e-tron concept at this year's Geneva Motor Show provides proof that the quad-ring automaker is putting a much larger focus on its small car offerings. With that in mind, new rumors are cropping up about a possible successor to the A2 - the quirky little hatch that never came to the U.S. and only had minor success in Europe.

"There's clearly room for another product and another concept between the A3 and A1," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told AutoWeek during the Geneva Motor Show. The new A2 would likely be A1-based and use an electric powertrain, possibly sourced from the A1 e-tron concept. European media has reported that the A2 successor is expected to debut by 2014, and no word has been given about a possible U.S.-spec version. However, with Audi keeping the A1 away from American soil, it's likely that the A2 would be a Europe-only affair, as well.

Gallery: Audi A1 e-tron concept

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Audi A1 e-tron

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Audi working on successor to A2? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi confirms pure electric city car in the works

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Audi, Volkswagen

Click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen up!

Audi has long been rumored to be developing an electric car and many of us concluded that it would be based on the A1 concept that the German automaker recently showed off at the Paris Motor Show. According to Audi board member Peter Schwarzenbauer, the electric car is indeed coming, though it will be based on the Volkswagen up! platform that's destined to carry the Lupo badge when it goes into production. Audi will need to work fast if it's going to catch BMW, its natural rival, which has already begun production of an electric version of the hugely popular MINI Cooper. For the Audi/VW offering, a battery pack will be mounted at the rear of the Lupo's platform, though we still have no indication of what type of battery will be used. What might the new car be named? Not sure, but we do know that A2 is available.

Gallery: VW up!

[Source: Autocar]

Audi confirms pure electric city car in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A2 design focus

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:43:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Audi

With Audi's reputation for beautiful design, it's not surprising that many freelance designers and design students choose Audi as the subject of their design projects. Because of this, Audi wünderboard, Fourtitude, has begun a series of articles "focusing on an independent take on Audi design." Sometimes people outside Audi's design studios come up with an interesting idea or direction that may be different from Audi's internal design language, and this offers a venue to share. For its first subject in the series, design student Luis Camino offers his take on the much-rumored next-generation Audi A2 (or A1, depending on who you ask).

Currently working on his transportation design degree at the Academy of Art University of San Francisco, Luis Camino also happens to run several websites, including one focused on car design and his education. Camino notes that his love for Audi is pretty obvious once you visit his sites, as Audi designs dominate. His drawings here are some sketches of the much-rumored MINI competitor, the Audi A1. We tend to agree with Fourtitude when they say Camino's drawings look more like an Audi design than most of the digital renderings we've seen. More evolution than revolution, they represent a tasteful execution of the Audi look on this small platform. Slightly retro, but using much of the Shooting Brake concept, it manages to incorporate the features that make competitors such as Volvo's C30, Renault's Megane and the MINI successful, while giving it a uniquely Audi look. More images and insight into the design process available by following the read link.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Audi A2 design focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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