The Audi Urban Concept may only be a design exercise, but it could also signal what future commuter cars could look like.
What is the Audi Urban Concept?
Audi has revealed a new radical urban concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Show, in both coupe and spyder forms.
It looks fairly similar to VW's NILS concept, which is a similar design exercise with a single-seat arrangement.
Audi says the Urban Concept is part of an on-going in-house study among technicians, designers and electrical experts to explore new avenues for small, lightweight, electric cars.
Both the coupe and spyder use a central tub with 21-inch open wheels attached using a pushrod style suspension more commonly seen on race cars.
Inside are two staggered seats only, with the spyder having an automatically opening roof and a low windscreen. It also features an angular from headlight arrangement, which Audi says it may use for future Audi models.
To put it into perspective, the 3.2-metres long, 1.7-metres wide and 1.2-metres high. Compare that to the Smart ForTwo, one of the smallest city cars on sale today, and the Audi concept is half a metre longer, a shave wider and a third of a metre lower.
What engine does the Audi Urban Concept use?
The Audi Urban Concept is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack linked to a 15kW electric motor powering the back wheels. Range is claimed to be between 31 and 37 miles, which the German carmaker says is more than ample to meet the requirements of the majority of city commuters.
Performance is admirable, with a top speed of 62mph and 0-37mph takes 3.7 seconds.
How much will the Urban Concept cost and when can I get one?
This isn’t going to be one that’s released from the sounds being made by Audi, and is instead being utilised as a learning process for the development of new models.
More cars coming soon
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