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Audi UrbanConcept revealed

New UrbanConcept paves the way for the imminent return of the A2 and is set for a Frankfurt show debut

Audi UrbanConcept

By Michael Taylor

09th August 2011

It’s the eco Audi that’s going to crash BMW’s party. Rivalling the Munich-based firm’s new ‘i’ sub brand, Audi has revealed a revolutionary green city car of its own.

Called the UrbanConcept, the radical machine has semi-open wheels and is narrow enough to be easy to drive and park in crowded city streets. It will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Fully electric, two of Audi’s e-tron electric motors drive its 21-inch wheels, while it is built from a combination of aluminium and carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), promising a blend of strength and safety as well as light weight.

The UrbanConcept’s taut, aggressive lines are also said to provide hints to the future design language of Audi’s mainstream line-up. Blinking LED lights further mark out the partly exposed wheels, which also have brake energy recuperation to extend the lithium-ion battery pack’s range.

The passenger compartment is made from CFRP, with some of the technology Audi’s own, and some of it derived from sister firm Lamborghini’s Aventador supercar. Both the seatbases are moulded into the carbon 
fibre body, and the driver can adjust the pedals and steering wheel to suit.

Audi insists the seating positions – with the passenger to the side and slightly behind the driver – will provide plenty of space while keeping the cabin narrow. To enter the car, both occupants slide the large, single-piece roof back.

All of the cabin’s controls and materials are made from carbon fibre, aluminium and lightweight upholstery. That promises to lend the sleek UrbanConcept reasonable straight-line performance and allows it to use a smaller battery pack than would be fitted to a converted production car.

Where BMW has launched the i as a sub-brand, Audi is more likely to reintroduce the A2 – still an urban favourite in the European used car market – as an eco-friendly city car range, with the UrbanConcept setting a blueprint for it.

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7 Comments

A2 will be more sober - think VW Up! with wraparound screen

I doubt Audi will be going for a production model A2 that will be like this. More likely will be a strict four-seater with a choice of powertrains, some electric. As with other Audi concepts, some of the less dramatic design elements will undoubtedly arrive on the A2, but the MkI car remains popular as a used model for very different reasons to the concept shown here and I would expect something more like the VW Up! with an Audi badge, wraparound screen and kicked-out wheels.

By alan_jenney on 10 August, 2011, 11:57pm

A2 will be more sober - think VW Up! with wraparound screen

I doubt Audi will be going for a production model A2 that will be like this. More likely will be a strict four-seater with a choice of powertrains, some electric. As with other Audi concepts, some of the less dramatic design elements will undoubtedly arrive on the A2, but the MkI car remains popular as a used model for very different reasons to the concept shown here and I would expect something more like the VW Up! with an Audi badge, wraparound screen and kicked-out wheels.

By alan_jenney on 11 August, 2011, 12:23am

A2 will be more sober - think VW Up! with wraparound screen

I doubt Audi will be going for a production model A2 that will be like this. More likely will be a strict four-seater with a choice of powertrains, some electric. As with other Audi concepts, some of the less dramatic design elements will undoubtedly arrive on the A2, but the MkI car remains popular as a used model for very different reasons to the concept shown here and I would expect something more like the VW Up! with an Audi badge, wraparound screen and kicked-out wheels.

By alan_jenney on 11 August, 2011, 12:32am

Just think VW - but more expensive!!

Looks like a T-Fal Ultraglide with wheels attached:
http://www.amazon.com/T-Fal-FV4379003-Ultraglide-Resistant-Anti-Scale/dp/B0026ILY0E

By Bond_James_Bond on 11 August, 2011, 12:37pm

Don't think VW. An Audi is an Audi!

Call Bentley and Lamborghini a VW if you are on a roll , and Bugatti because yes, VW own them. Can we please have fair and sensible comments. We all know Audis are one of the best built cars. Give them credit for the quality cars they produce. I'd have an Audi over any other German car.

By A330driver on 11 August, 2011, 6:28pm

Incognito...

"...I'd have an Audi over any other German car."

So would I if I wanted to blend into the crowd, happily I'd rather not...

By sgtgrash on 14 August, 2011, 5:29am

Concept/Vapourware....less talking more walking

Another interesting concept, but is it just that or are Audi and other manufacturers ever going to bring these sorts of ideas to market?
I think there is a market for small 2 seater city cars, powered by alternative fuels. Most people run around with only themselves in the car or a.n.other so why not.
If they did bring this to market though would probably be launched as the A0, I don't feel were looking at the next A2 here....I could be wrong, but unlikely.

By Yorkslad on 22 August, 2011, 8:36am

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