The latest concept car points to a new all-electric hatchback most likely due in 2013
- Isn't the A2 merely a five-door version of the A1?
You woudn't be wrong in making such a suggestion, but the A2 is a little more sophisticated than you think.
The one you see here in official pictures is a concept version that will highlight Audi's booth at the Frankfurt motor show next week and stands a very high chance of making it to production in 2013.
The A2 is 3.8m long.
- So what's so special about the A2?
First is its compact dimensions like a 3.8m length that makes it a B-segment car in the premium sector _ just as its predecessor did (see sidebar).
Second, Audi is boasting more sophisticated LED technology for the lights that adapt illumination depending on driving visibility. In short, Audi says that LED tech is taken up to the next level.
There's also a dynamic lighting system inside the car to keep the cabin as bright as possible.
The interior takes just four seats (five can always be possible, if Audi wants to) whose backrests can fold flat to make way for bulky items. The cabin floor itself is flat, promising airiness and as much usable space as possible.
The body uses aluminium as did the pioneering model to stand out in its class with lightweight, even though that material is expensive to make (and to repair when an accident occurs) and is more suitable to higher models with fatter margins.
However, the A2 needs to be a light car because it has to compensate for the extra weight the electric motor and batteries put on the car overall.
The dash has a minimalist design.
- You mean pure electric?
Yup, that's another specialty of the A2. Audi is aiming for zero CO2 emissions, although it hasn't gone into detail about the powertrain. The logical matrix is front-engine and front-drive.
There's also the possibility of a plug-in hybrid version to appeal to customers needing to travel to places where there are no recharging points.
To minimise the number of components, reduce weight and improve touring range as much as possible, the A2 goes drive-by-wire: the operation of the steering, brakes and gas pedal are all electrically operated.
The rear takes just two people.
- Is the A2 meant to be a riposte to the BMW i3?
You could say so. The i3, which will also be a highlight for BMW at the German motor show, is a concept version of the showroom article due also in two years time.
The i3 will be all-electric and comes with a carbon fibre body to help reduce the weight impact caused by lithium-ion battery packs.
- Is Thailand ready for EVs?
Maybe not at the moment. But some companies in Thailand believe that electric vehicles (EVs) will happen earlier than expected _ 2013 sounds feasible after all those promotions of alternative fuels (bio-fuels and natural gas) are well in place (and hopefully with decreased subsidies).
As reported in Business section of the Bangkok Post this week, Mitsubishi and the Thai government have begun driving trials of the i-MEiV electric car to assess its reliability, user acceptance and the electricity grid needed to charge EVs.
Additionally, Eton Import, the Thai agent for Tesla EVs from the US, hopes to start promotion of the all-new Model S in 2013.
LOOKING BACK
When Audi rolled out the first A2 in 1999, it was a revolutionary car _ even when it expired in 2005. In other words, the B-segment five-door hatchback was a car ahead of its time.
The A2 had an aluminium body that brought the overall weight between 895-1,030kg _ a range today's B-cars like the Honda Jazz still can't achieve.
There were 1.4/1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines capable of 16-17kpl, while the more frugal three-pot diesels were 1.2/1.3-litre did 23-33kpl.
Transmission choices included five-speed manual and automated manual. Auto stop-start tech was available.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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