Audi’s Urban Concept heads to IAA Frankfurt, tickles our EV sensibilities

Aug 11th 2011
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Audis Urban Concept heads to IAA Frankfurt, tickles our EV sensibilities

The Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) Frankfurt looms at the horizon, meaning its time for an additional round of bodacious concept cars we’d like, but sadly can never have. We’ve already seen BMW’s entry and now it’s Audi’s turn to expose off an electrical city-dweller. Dubbed the “Urban Concept,” this latest e-tron is product of carbon fiber reinforced plastic and wields a door contraption that’ll put Lambos to shame — assuming it ever makes it to market. And it just might, seeing as our friends over at Autoblog caught it slumming around Berlin in prototype garb. We’ll hear more from Ingolstadt come September, but meanwhile more sketches and snaps of the construction mule await you on the source links below.

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The Audi urban concept – an absolutely new sort of concept car

An innovative urban concept car with 1+1 seats

Sleek cockpit made out of CFRP, free-standing wheels with protective plates

Elaborate suspension, compact electric drive system for sporty performance

Audi is again opening up new horizons: the Audi urban concept is a 1+1-seat, ultra-light car for congested urban spaces. The technical study doesn’t fit under any of the traditional categories – the Audi urban concept combines elements of a racing car, a fun car and an urban car into one radical new concept.

The Audi urban concept isn’t in response to any previous model – its development is only oriented at the strict principles of lightweight construction, efficiency and reduction. The result’s an idea car and not using a unnecessary weight, and one which concentrates at the pure essence of sporty motion.

The Audi urban concept has a swish body. The wheels are free-standing, their surrounding protective plates feature blinking strips of LED lights. The highly concentrated look of the technical study, with its forward-urging lines, is dynamic and emotional – it lends Audi’s design language a wholly new impetus.
On board there’s room for 2 people, their position slightly staggered and at a sporty, low level. All controls and materials are subject to the dictates of ultra-lightweight construction with a view to ensure they carry a unique, sensory allure. The driving force can adjust the steering wheel and pedals to his own body measurements. Entry to the automobile is via the tailgate. The roof is designed to be maneuverable and slides to the rear to open.

The technology within the Audi urban concept reflects the whole capabilities of the logo, especially relating to ultra-lightweight construction. The cockpit includes carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, which integrates the undercarriage of both seats. The Audi urban concept rolls on wheels with a 21-inch diameter.

Two e-tron electric motors provide the propulsion – providing the ultra-light Audi urban concept having the ability to accelerate powerfully. A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy – ideal for extended city tours.

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