The New A2 From Audi

The A2 from Audi, which was showed at the Frankfurt car show, was defined by the company as a concept car. However, Michael Dick, the R&D director of the firm has confirmed that the model will be built. The car will be manufactured in two versions. These are one plug in version along with extra gas engine and one all electric version. It is quite clear that Audi is trying to compete with the i3 from BMW. According to Stefan Sielaff, the design head of Audi, this is a megacity car which is the similar term used by BMW. Dick has explained that the lightweight body of the A2 is made of multiple materials and can be cheaper and lighter than the carbon fiber and aluminum structure of BMW. With the A2, Audi wants to achieve an improvement in the volume and price of the carbon technology.

The 2012 Audi

 A2 involves a tall model and the overall length is 149.6 inches which is quite short for a 4-seater car. The weight of the electric version has been reported to be 2550 pounds. It is claimed by Audi, that with this lightweight body that car can reach 120 miles with its 31 kilowatt hour battery back under the floor. It can be completely charged on 400 volt outlet in only two hours. According to sources, the company has not decided on the United States import. However, because of the US lineup of Volkswagen they do not have to worry about the standards of fuel economy.

Between 1999 and 2005, Audi used to sell a car known as A2 but it was not exported to North America. Fuel mileage was given the priority in the car’s design. Aluminum and space frame panels of the company was used. Steer by wire technology is present in the concept car, but according to Michael Dick the production model would not have it. It will rather feature aluminum frame along with carbon fiber strengthening, as well as exterior panels.

Dick did not provide information on the plug in version but he said that it will have a spark ignition engine. However, he did not tell anything that whether it has any relation with the e-tron of Audi A1. In this system, a single rotor engine is used as range extender. It is compact and ultra light. The i3 from BMW will also feature a2-cylinder engine as an optional range extender.

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