Frankfurt Motor Show: Audi A2 Concept

The all-electric Audi A2 Concept previews the A2 that will, as its name suggests, be positioned in between the A1 and A3 come launch time in 2013. Constructed entirely of aluminium, the original A2 compact MPV was way ahead of its time, and was discontinued in 2005 after six unsuccessful years of sales in Europe.

Beyond the distinctive profile of the original A2 lies Audi's aluminium spaceframe construction, which gives the A2 Concept a low weight count of 1150 kg. The headlamps represent Audi's latest LED technology: the so-called matrix beam generates a high-resolution high beam that is at the same time non-glaring. Behind, the tail-lamps adapt the illumination to road visibility conditions. The specially-developed 18" wheels weigh less than 2 kg each.

The five-door A2 should be bigger than the three-door A1, but turns out to be 154 mm shorter and 50 mm narrower than its supermini sibling. Audi claims that the cabin offers ample room for four occupants sitting on individual seats mounted on a flat floorboard. The glass roof changes from dark to transparent at the push of a button.

Motivation comes from an electric motor powered by a 31 kwh lithium-ion battery pack, which requires around four hours to charge through a regular household power outlet. A total of 114 hp and 270 Nm drives the front wheels, propelling the A2 Concept from 0-100 km/h in 9.3 seconds before hitting 150 km/h. The electric driving range is claimed as 200 km.