Audi A2
Encyclopedia
The Audi A2 is a Compact MPV
styled five-door
four- or five-seat
hatchback
designed supermini
, produced by the German
automaker
Audi AG
from November 1999 to 2005. Based on the Audi Al2 concept car first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1997, the A2 was notable for being constructed from aluminium
.
Packages available in Germany
included 'Advance', 'Style', 'High Tech', and later 'S line'; whereas in the United Kingdom
, the A2 was available in various trim levels, including: 'Standard', 'SE' (for 'Special Equipment'), 'Sport', 'Special Edition' (2005 only).
The car was built in Audi's Neckarsulm
'aluminium and RS plant' on a special line purpose built for the aluminium A2, the last cars left the factory in August 2005.
plant in Germany
. It was the first five-door
vehicle on sale in Europe
whose average fuel consumption is less than 3 L/100 km, although these figures only applied to a special "3L" version with a diesel engine
, automatic gearbox, stop-start system, less power and narrower tyres
. Due to the construction, the average A2 weighs less than 1000 kilogram.
and Autocar in the UK commented on the design. Autocar's initial drive verdict: "The best thing about the A2 is that it isn’t merely a design exercise. Yes, it’s a great car to look at, sit in and touch, but it’s also a riot to drive". The avant-garde
styling did not, however, win favour with some potential customers. Audi was reported to be disappointed with the level of sales; the final production was 176,377 units. This is in comparison to rival Mercedes-Benz
' A-Class
sales of 1 million.
The overriding theme in the design and engineering of the A2 was summarized by the then Audi UK product manager in an interview after the car won a design award in 2001 as "create a small Audi, not a cheap Audi", and the creative brief is said to have been “Transport four people from Stuttgart to Milan on a single tank of petrol”.
The A2 is built using considerable aluminium
and aluminium alloy
content, providing significant weight advantage over similar sized cars. This helps the car to be significantly more economical than vehicles using traditional steel monocoque
s; under certain circumstances, consumption for the 1.2 TDI model can be as low as just over 2 L/100 km. This version of the Audi A2 won the "Nordic Eco Run" fuel economy race in 2003, with a consumption of 2.62 L/100 km. Even the normal petrol engine
d versions are capable of 5 L/100 km. The A2 was also notable for being the first Audi model since the 1970s Audi 50
not to be offered with its 'trademark' quattro four-wheel drive option. The A2 has coefficient of drag
: 0.25 - 0.29 depending on model.
The A2 still uses a contemporary unibody construction, with significant elements of space frame
principles, and it is tagged by Audi as an 'Audi Space Frame' design. The outer panels of the body have little or no structural function - similarities exist with the original Renault Espace
- and the space frame bears the forces working on the car. The frame uses casts and extrusions which are laser welded
together to make the space frame. Improvements in shell stability, durability and stiffness, lower weight, and better interior space are evident as a result of this design decision. "The A2, on the other hand, was designed as an aluminum car and the spaceframe has been optimized by parts consolidation, using large, cost-effective castings instead of aluminum stampings".
Unfortunately, the cost of working with aluminium, particularly with small production runs, meant that the A2 was "overpriced" for the sector, competing with the A-class and losing. Much of the high production cost was due to so many parts not being "off the shelf" and being specifically optimized for the A2.
From Autobild in 2003: "The A2 is not one of the models with the highest return on investment". The same article quotes the sales figures for 2002 as being 20,000 in Germany against 80,000 for the A-Class and "...lots of money for a car that is only 3.8m long."
Audi was the first manufacturer to try and incorporate lightweight building concepts using aluminium and associated alloys into a "mass market
" vehicle; the previous efforts at using the Audi Space Frame were limited to the rather more expensive Audi A8
. As a guide to the mass
involved: the entire shell weighs so little that two people can easily pick it up; the side panel over the doors including the A- and D-pillars weighs approximately 2 kilograms (4 lb). A 2002 model A2 with standard equipment has a mass of 895 kg (1,973 lb).
The A2 can, however, thus be considered a trailblazer for various newer aluminium-based vehicles, such as the second generation Audi A8, Audi TT
, and Jaguar's recent X350 Jaguar XJ
and 2006 on Jaguar XK
.
Parts of the A2 which are still made of steel include the bulkhead behind the front bumper ("slam panel"), the wiper arm, standard A2 suspension components (the 3l ones are frequently of aluminium alloy), the rear brake drums and the exhaust system.
, at 390 litres (13.8 cu ft) with the rear seats in place. This is significantly larger than the luggage space of the next model in Audi's range, the Audi A3
. Due to the "sandwich"-type construction
, similar again to that of the Renault Espace or the Mercedes A-Class, the floorpan
has an upper and a lower portion. The space in the middle is used to house various components, such as the fuel tank
and the engine's electronics. The rear passengers also benefit, as their foot space reaches into this sandwich space, creating a comfortable seating position even for tall rear seat
passengers. This is in direct contrast to the comfort available on the rear bench of an A-Class. To improve the weight distribution of the vehicle, its battery
is located inside the boot, under the floor.
The A2's interior was very upmarket in comparison with other supermini
s. In both the UK and Europe, there were several choices of seat material and colour, comprising the standard Cirrus cloth, optional Matrix cloth, optional Alcantara
/leather
, or full pearlNappa leather
seat coverings. Sport models received sports seats with electrically adjustable lumbar
support as standard in Jaquered satin cloth. Seat materials were available in a choice of red, blue, beige ("jive" or "twist", code 4QC), pale grey ("platinum", code EC3), dark grey ("swing", 24S) or black ("soul", 6PS). Individual options were also available such as vivid yellow, red or blue seats, steering wheels, gear lever, handbrake lever and door armrests. The color.storm models introduced in 2003 brought bright colours to both the outside and inside of the A2, including "papaya" orange. Soft touch materials are used on the doors and contact areas in the centre console, though this has a tendency to wear over time, especially on the climate control keys.
Quattro GmbH - as Audi Exclusive - were prepared to customise the A2 in the same ways that they would any other Audi. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number of "Individual" painted cars is extremely small; among the several thousand German A2 owners represented in the A2-freun.de forum, only two individual cars have ever been noted. The colours available corresponded to the extended Volkswagen Group palette at the time—including any Volkswagen Group colour and many others too—but the option was expensive, at around €2000. A set of 10 A2s is said to have been created in Almond beige with orange color.storm interiors as dealer demonstrators and at least two of these have been seen on the used market in the past. It is impossible to document the existence of these vehicles, not least due to the lack of co-operation from the German authorities in terms of freely-available, reliable, colour information, and that used-car websites are not archived.
The A2 had many innovative ideas - such as the space floor storage system which was a box that slotted in the rear passenger foot well, a rear cup holder which unclipped and a double (false) floor boot where items could be hidden from thieves or the space saver spare wheel stored. The warning triangle and first aid kit have a home directly to the left of the boot opening. The toolkit was stored, depending on equipment, next to the battery; if space was needed for the navigation system and / or Bose subwoofer, it was moved to the sandwich compartment in front of the right-front seat (driver on UK cars, passenger on LHD ones). The headrests also do not need to be removed from the rear seats when they are folded, and a four-seater can have the rear seats removed in a matter of seconds. The rear seat belts also have a clip in the upper section of the c-pillar, so that when the seats are folded and returned to their normal position, the belt will not get tangled.
More examples of energy saving can be found in the glovebox light that only turns on when the lights are on and the freewheel pulley on the alternator belt, meaning that the alternator is only used when necessary. The climate compressor is also turned off when the ambient temperature drops below 5 degrees C.
The ECON function of the climate control (where fitted) also turns off the auxiliary heating or the compressor, depending on temperature. This functionality is unaffected by the presence of fuel-powered or electrical auxiliary heating.
(hood), where the radiator grille
would normally be sited. Behind it are the filling points for oil
and screen wash fluid
, and the dipstick
. Thanks to these features, in the daily use of the car the bonnet does not need to be raised.
The bonnet was widely rumoured to be sealed — Car and Driver
wrote: "...feature of the A2 that may foretell the future: the sealed hood". Actually, the bonnet is easily removed, being held in place by two twist-lock catches. The around 8 kg heavy bonnet then comes away from the car altogether, unlike the usual hinged flip-up arrangement on most other cars. Due to the service hatch, the need remove the bonnet to gain access to the internal combustion engine
is minimal.
2004 it acquired fake grille slats. It is, however, relatively simple to change, so should not be taken as a reliable age indicator.
Very little else was changed externally during the life of the car. Colours and roadwheels
designs were changed mildly during the production run. The only other external indicator of the age of the car is the windscreen wiper
; very early models have a traditional blade, where newer ones have a "flex" version ("Aerotwin" from Bosch, model 760). This change was made for model year 2002.
by trainees — the "A2 Caddy". This was on public show for the first time at the A2-Club of Germany's annual meeting in Amberg
, Germany, in August 2005. Pictures of the event are available on the German A2-freun.de site linked below.
Audi also released an S-line version in Germany as of late 2002, with 17" 9-spoke "RS4" style wheels (standard were 15"), sports seats with large side bolsters and lumbar support, special half-leather seat coverings with Pearl Nappa leather and Sprint cloth, leather handbrake handle, perforated leather gearstick and 3-spoke steering wheel and 10 mm lowered sports suspension
. Additionally, the interior roof lining, the dashboard and carpets were black, the instrument faces titanium-coloured and an S-line badge was added to the rear doors. The driver information system and illuminated vanity mirrors for driver and passenger completed the package
In the UK, the last Audi A2s (from early 2005 to June 2005) were badged as special edition models featuring a reduced price tag, digital climate control and a 'Concert II' radio with CD player as standard. They were the only models available in the UK at this time and were available with either the 1.4 petrol or 1.4 TDI engines. This special edition gave the A2 a final sales boost in the UK.
to Berlin
on a single charge. Upon arrival, Rainer Bruederle, Germany's Economics Minister, called the test drive a "world record."
The car was said to still have 18% of its charge remaining on arrival in Berlin and the average speed was reported as being 90 km/h (56 mph). The "kolibri" batteries used in the design are so compact that the vehicle retains its four seats and bootspace. A production version would be possible; "the technology could be implemented today. It is up to industry to use this potential" was the comment from Mirko Hannemann, the head of DBM.
Combined with relatively high parts prices and hourly rates, apparently minor bumps may mean 'beyond economic repair'. Many examples of damage and subsequent repairs can be found in both the UK and German A2 owners club forums, often with tales of personal repair efforts and costs involved. Since the community is small, it has been seen that the repairer drives an A2 and therefore has an interest in both a correct repair and documentation has been provided in the UK forum.
Other repair specialisations are subject to denial on the part of Audi both in the UK and Germany, especially when dealing with Open Sky. Certain dealerships - such as the mentioned Autohaus Rinner in Bad Tölz in southern Germany - have specialised in roof repairs and replacements.
The KBA ("Kraftfahrtbundesamt") released numbers on request and after payment to the German A2 club which indicate that around 70,000 A2s are registered in Germany as of end November 2010. Of those, less than 5,000 are 1.6 FSIs. This information was released on condition that it was not for publication; the full statistics are only available to members. Colour information is not recorded.
had the lowest drag coefficient
of any car in the world at the time of its launch. It was also one of the most economical and lowest polluting, only emitting 81 g/km (German emission standard D4) to 86 g/km (D3 emission standard) CO2 emissions.
Two versions of the car were available in Germany during its production run. The D4 version, which used only 3 l/100 km, was "standard". This version had no power steering, climate control or other extras, with the only optional extra being body coloured door handles and wing mirrors. The reason behind having no optional extras was that every option adds weight and loses economy. It had a fixed rear seat squab. 2.88 l/100 km was tested.
The second version, which was at least available in Germany, was a D3 version which was still capable of 3.0 l/100 km. This version had options for climate control, winter pack, comfort pack but was not available in all markets. Ordering these packs ensured power steeering or spot lamps as part of a package. The OSS system was not available at all on the 3L.
On both versions, the glass was thinner, the seats were lighter and 14" Magnesium alloy wheels were used, with the standard tyre fitment being 145/80 R14 T76 Bridgestone Ecopias or Continental Winter Tyres using very flat wheelcovers to minimize turbulence. The engine block was also made from a light alloy despite it being a diesel it weighed just 100 kg.
The rear spoiler was reshaped, moved and extended through wind tunnel
ling to achieve a 0.25 cd figure. Additional underbody panels were also added to achieve this.
The car had an automated manual transmission which had a Tiptronic mode on the selector.
The car also had an ECO mode. When engaged it limited the power to 41 bhp (excluding kick down) and programmed the transmission to change up at the most economical point. ECO mode also activated the start/stop function
, a feature that was new to European cars at that time.
In ECO mode, the clutch was disengaged when the accelerator pedal was released for maximum economy, so the car freewheels as much as possible, with the clutch re-engaging as soon as the accelerator pedal or brake pedal are touched.
The 3L also has only 4 wheel bolts and Finned Alloy brake drums at the rear, along with many aluminum suspension components. An internal presentation from Audi appears to indicate that the complete shell of a 3L A2 weighs around 15 kg (33 lb) less than that of a "normal" A2. The 3L has been noted on the Autobahn under non-scientific conditions to be faster at top speed than the standard A2, mainly as a result of the extremely long 5th gear ratio and the excellent aerodynamics. Appropriately, steps have been undertaken by owners in both the UK and Germany to extend the fifth gear of the standard TDIs, resulting in better economy, lower noise and higher top speeds.
A total of 6450 1.2 TDI models were built. The first one to be imported into the UK is detailed here: http://www.greenconsumerguide.com/audi_a2_tdi.php
s were available:
A2 expected to enter production, exhibiting a concept car
. The superstructure made largely from aluminium, additional parts in Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer, and other construction techniques restrain the weight to only 1,150kg. A lithium-ion battery placed between the floor holds 24 kWh of usable charge. An electric motor is transversely mounted at the front of the vehicle, the electric motor delivers through the front wheels and uses a single-speed transmission. The vehicle will also incorporate Shift-by-wire, Brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire contactless technology, and LED matrix technology for the headlights and tail lights.
Compact MPV
A compact MPV is a car classification used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars , fitting between the mini MPV and large MPV sub-segments...
styled five-door
Vehicle door
A vehicle door is a partition, typically hinged, but sometimes attached by other mechanisms such as tracks, in front of an opening which is used for entering and exiting a vehicle. A vehicle door can be opened to provide access to the opening, or closed to secure it. These doors are similar to...
four- or five-seat
Car seat
A car seat is the chair used in automobiles. Most car seats are made from inexpensive but durable material in order to withstand as much use as possible.-Ergonomy: Lumbar and thigh support:...
hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
designed supermini
Supermini car
A supermini is a British term that describes automobiles larger than a city car but smaller than a small family car. This car class is also known as the B-segment across Europe, and as subcompact in North America....
, produced by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
automaker
Automotive industry
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
Audi AG
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
from November 1999 to 2005. Based on the Audi Al2 concept car first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1997, the A2 was notable for being constructed from aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
.
Packages available in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
included 'Advance', 'Style', 'High Tech', and later 'S line'; whereas in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the A2 was available in various trim levels, including: 'Standard', 'SE' (for 'Special Equipment'), 'Sport', 'Special Edition' (2005 only).
The car was built in Audi's Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Stuttgart, and part of the district Heilbronn. As of 2004, Neckarsulm had 27,296 inhabitants....
'aluminium and RS plant' on a special line purpose built for the aluminium A2, the last cars left the factory in August 2005.
History
The A2 was produced at Audi's "aluminium" NeckarsulmNeckarsulm
Neckarsulm is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Stuttgart, and part of the district Heilbronn. As of 2004, Neckarsulm had 27,296 inhabitants....
plant in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It was the first five-door
Vehicle door
A vehicle door is a partition, typically hinged, but sometimes attached by other mechanisms such as tracks, in front of an opening which is used for entering and exiting a vehicle. A vehicle door can be opened to provide access to the opening, or closed to secure it. These doors are similar to...
vehicle on sale in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
whose average fuel consumption is less than 3 L/100 km, although these figures only applied to a special "3L" version with a diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
, automatic gearbox, stop-start system, less power and narrower tyres
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
. Due to the construction, the average A2 weighs less than 1000 kilogram.
Styling
The A2 was a surprise when it debuted only two years after the original Al2 study. Many initial reviews, including those from What Car?What Car?
What Car? is a long-running UK monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Fowler and published by Haymarket Motoring. First published in 1973, it is intended primarily as a magazine for consumers rather than dedicated automobile enthusiasts...
and Autocar in the UK commented on the design. Autocar's initial drive verdict: "The best thing about the A2 is that it isn’t merely a design exercise. Yes, it’s a great car to look at, sit in and touch, but it’s also a riot to drive". The avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
styling did not, however, win favour with some potential customers. Audi was reported to be disappointed with the level of sales; the final production was 176,377 units. This is in comparison to rival Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
' A-Class
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a mini MPV produced by the German automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. The first generation was introduced in 1997, and the all-new second generation model appeared in late 2004. Launched as a five-door hatchback in 1997, the second generation W169 introduced a...
sales of 1 million.
Design, engineering and construction
The A2 is built using considerable aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
and aluminium alloy
Aluminium alloy
Aluminium alloys are alloys in which aluminium is the predominant metal. The typical alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon and zinc. There are two principal classifications, namely casting alloys and wrought alloys, both of which are further subdivided into the categories...
content, providing significant weight advantage over similar sized cars. This helps the car to be significantly more economical than vehicles using traditional steel monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
s; under certain circumstances, consumption for the 1.2 TDI model can be as low as just over 2 L/100 km. This version of the Audi A2 won the "Nordic Eco Run" fuel economy race in 2003, with a consumption of 2.62 L/100 km. Even the normal petrol engine
Petrol engine
A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine with spark-ignition, designed to run on petrol and similar volatile fuels....
d versions are capable of 5 L/100 km. The A2 was also notable for being the first Audi model since the 1970s Audi 50
Audi 50
The Audi 50 is a supermini produced by German automaker Audi from 1974 to 1978 and sold only in Europe. Introduced two or three years after the Italian Fiat 127 and the French Renault 5, the model was seen at the time as Germany's first home grown entrant in Europe's emerging "supermini"...
not to be offered with its 'trademark' quattro four-wheel drive option. The A2 has coefficient of drag
Drag coefficient
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or...
: 0.25 - 0.29 depending on model.
The A2 still uses a contemporary unibody construction, with significant elements of space frame
Space frame
A space frame or space structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with few interior supports...
principles, and it is tagged by Audi as an 'Audi Space Frame' design. The outer panels of the body have little or no structural function - similarities exist with the original Renault Espace
Renault Espace
The Renault Espace is a large MPV from French car-maker Renault. Generations 1-3 were sold under the Renault brand but manufactured by Matra. The current fourth generation model, which seats seven passengers, is an all-Renault product; the Renault Grand Espace is a long-wheelbase version with...
- and the space frame bears the forces working on the car. The frame uses casts and extrusions which are laser welded
Welding
Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is often done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint, with pressure sometimes...
together to make the space frame. Improvements in shell stability, durability and stiffness, lower weight, and better interior space are evident as a result of this design decision. "The A2, on the other hand, was designed as an aluminum car and the spaceframe has been optimized by parts consolidation, using large, cost-effective castings instead of aluminum stampings".
Unfortunately, the cost of working with aluminium, particularly with small production runs, meant that the A2 was "overpriced" for the sector, competing with the A-class and losing. Much of the high production cost was due to so many parts not being "off the shelf" and being specifically optimized for the A2.
From Autobild in 2003: "The A2 is not one of the models with the highest return on investment". The same article quotes the sales figures for 2002 as being 20,000 in Germany against 80,000 for the A-Class and "...lots of money for a car that is only 3.8m long."
Audi was the first manufacturer to try and incorporate lightweight building concepts using aluminium and associated alloys into a "mass market
Mass market
The mass market is a general business term describing the largest group of consumers for a specified industry product. It is the opposite extreme of the term niche market.-General:...
" vehicle; the previous efforts at using the Audi Space Frame were limited to the rather more expensive Audi A8
Audi A8
The Audi A8 is a four-door, full-size, luxury sedan car manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8, the A8 has been offered with front wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive, with multitronic or tiptronic automatic transmissions — and in short- and...
. As a guide to the mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
involved: the entire shell weighs so little that two people can easily pick it up; the side panel over the doors including the A- and D-pillars weighs approximately 2 kilograms (4 lb). A 2002 model A2 with standard equipment has a mass of 895 kg (1,973 lb).
The A2 can, however, thus be considered a trailblazer for various newer aluminium-based vehicles, such as the second generation Audi A8, Audi TT
Audi TT
The Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...
, and Jaguar's recent X350 Jaguar XJ
Jaguar XJ
Jaguar XJ is the designation that has been used for a series of luxury saloon cars sold under the British Jaguar marque. The first XJ was launched in 1968 and the designation has been used for successive Jaguar flagship models since then. The original model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had...
and 2006 on Jaguar XK
Jaguar XK
The Jaguar XK series is a series of grand tourer cars produced by British car maker Jaguar since 1996. The series was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show on 5 March 1996. The first generation of the series, the XK8, replaced the XJS, and was available as a coupé and convertible...
.
Parts of the A2 which are still made of steel include the bulkhead behind the front bumper ("slam panel"), the wiper arm, standard A2 suspension components (the 3l ones are frequently of aluminium alloy), the rear brake drums and the exhaust system.
Interior
The A2 has a large interior space for the exterior dimensions, including a bootTrunk (automobile)
The trunk or boot of an automobile or car is the vehicle's main storage, luggage, or cargo compartment. Trunk is used in North American English and Jamaican English; boot is used elsewhere in the English speaking world. Trunk is also primarily used in many non-English speaking regions, such as...
, at 390 litres (13.8 cu ft) with the rear seats in place. This is significantly larger than the luggage space of the next model in Audi's range, the Audi A3
Audi A3
The Audi A3 is a small family car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1996. Two generations of A3 exist, both based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, which they share with several other models such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Caddy and Volkswagen Touran as well as SEAT...
. Due to the "sandwich"-type construction
Automotive engineering
Modern automotive engineering, along with aerospace engineering and marine engineering, is a branch of vehicle engineering, incorporating elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering as applied to the design, manufacture and operation of motorcycles, automobiles,...
, similar again to that of the Renault Espace or the Mercedes A-Class, the floorpan
Floorpan
The floorpan is a large sheet metal stamping that often incorporates several smaller welded stampings to form the floor of a large vehicle and the position of its external and structural panels....
has an upper and a lower portion. The space in the middle is used to house various components, such as the fuel tank
Fuel tank
A fuel tank is safe container for flammable fluids. Though any storage tank for fuel may be so called, the term is typically applied to part of an engine system in which the fuel is stored and propelled or released into an engine...
and the engine's electronics. The rear passengers also benefit, as their foot space reaches into this sandwich space, creating a comfortable seating position even for tall rear seat
Car seat
A car seat is the chair used in automobiles. Most car seats are made from inexpensive but durable material in order to withstand as much use as possible.-Ergonomy: Lumbar and thigh support:...
passengers. This is in direct contrast to the comfort available on the rear bench of an A-Class. To improve the weight distribution of the vehicle, its battery
Car battery
An automotive battery is a type of rechargeable battery that supplies electric energy to an automobile. Usually this refers to an SLI battery to power the starter motor, the lights, and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine...
is located inside the boot, under the floor.
The A2's interior was very upmarket in comparison with other supermini
Supermini
A superminicomputer, or supermini, is “a minicomputer with high performance compared to ordinary minicomputers.” The term was an invention used from the mid-1970s mainly to distinguish the emerging 32-bit minis from the classical 16-bit minicomputers...
s. In both the UK and Europe, there were several choices of seat material and colour, comprising the standard Cirrus cloth, optional Matrix cloth, optional Alcantara
Alcantara (material)
Alcantara is a tradename given to a composite material used to cover surfaces and forms in a variety of applications. The material was developed in the early 1970s by Miyoshi Okamoto, a scientist working for the Japanese chemical company Toray Industries, as a variation of their other product...
/leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
, or full pearlNappa leather
Nappa leather
Nappa leather or Napa leather is a full-grain leather, typically dyed, made from unsplit kid-, lamb- or sheep-skin by tanning with salts of chromium or aluminium sulfate, and noted for softness and durability...
seat coverings. Sport models received sports seats with electrically adjustable lumbar
Lumbar
In tetrapod anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum ...
support as standard in Jaquered satin cloth. Seat materials were available in a choice of red, blue, beige ("jive" or "twist", code 4QC), pale grey ("platinum", code EC3), dark grey ("swing", 24S) or black ("soul", 6PS). Individual options were also available such as vivid yellow, red or blue seats, steering wheels, gear lever, handbrake lever and door armrests. The color.storm models introduced in 2003 brought bright colours to both the outside and inside of the A2, including "papaya" orange. Soft touch materials are used on the doors and contact areas in the centre console, though this has a tendency to wear over time, especially on the climate control keys.
Quattro GmbH - as Audi Exclusive - were prepared to customise the A2 in the same ways that they would any other Audi. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number of "Individual" painted cars is extremely small; among the several thousand German A2 owners represented in the A2-freun.de forum, only two individual cars have ever been noted. The colours available corresponded to the extended Volkswagen Group palette at the time—including any Volkswagen Group colour and many others too—but the option was expensive, at around €2000. A set of 10 A2s is said to have been created in Almond beige with orange color.storm interiors as dealer demonstrators and at least two of these have been seen on the used market in the past. It is impossible to document the existence of these vehicles, not least due to the lack of co-operation from the German authorities in terms of freely-available, reliable, colour information, and that used-car websites are not archived.
The A2 had many innovative ideas - such as the space floor storage system which was a box that slotted in the rear passenger foot well, a rear cup holder which unclipped and a double (false) floor boot where items could be hidden from thieves or the space saver spare wheel stored. The warning triangle and first aid kit have a home directly to the left of the boot opening. The toolkit was stored, depending on equipment, next to the battery; if space was needed for the navigation system and / or Bose subwoofer, it was moved to the sandwich compartment in front of the right-front seat (driver on UK cars, passenger on LHD ones). The headrests also do not need to be removed from the rear seats when they are folded, and a four-seater can have the rear seats removed in a matter of seconds. The rear seat belts also have a clip in the upper section of the c-pillar, so that when the seats are folded and returned to their normal position, the belt will not get tangled.
More examples of energy saving can be found in the glovebox light that only turns on when the lights are on and the freewheel pulley on the alternator belt, meaning that the alternator is only used when necessary. The climate compressor is also turned off when the ambient temperature drops below 5 degrees C.
The ECON function of the climate control (where fitted) also turns off the auxiliary heating or the compressor, depending on temperature. This functionality is unaffected by the presence of fuel-powered or electrical auxiliary heating.
Service Hatch / "Serviceklappe"
The front of the car included an unusual design feature called the "Serviceklappe" in German — this translates to "service hatch" or "service panel". On early cars, this was a glossy black panel at the lower edge of the bonnetHood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
(hood), where the radiator grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
would normally be sited. Behind it are the filling points for oil
Motor oil
Motor oil or engine oil is an oil used for lubrication of various internal combustion engines. The main function is to lubricate moving parts; it also cleans, inhibits corrosion, improves sealing, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from moving parts.Motor oils are derived from...
and screen wash fluid
Windshield washer fluid
Windshield washer fluid is a fluid for motor vehicles that is used in cleaning the windshield with the windshield wiper while the vehicle is being driven.-Delivery system:A control within the car can be operated to squirt fluid onto the windshield, typically using an...
, and the dipstick
Dipstick
A dipstick is one of several measurement devices.Some dipsticks are dipped into a liquid to perform a chemical test or to provide a measure of quantity of the liquid....
. Thanks to these features, in the daily use of the car the bonnet does not need to be raised.
The bonnet was widely rumoured to be sealed — Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
wrote: "...feature of the A2 that may foretell the future: the sealed hood". Actually, the bonnet is easily removed, being held in place by two twist-lock catches. The around 8 kg heavy bonnet then comes away from the car altogether, unlike the usual hinged flip-up arrangement on most other cars. Due to the service hatch, the need remove the bonnet to gain access to the internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
is minimal.
Facelift and additional models
The service hatch is the most obvious indicator of the age of any particular A2. It was changed to matte black for the "color.storm" colour schemes, and for model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
2004 it acquired fake grille slats. It is, however, relatively simple to change, so should not be taken as a reliable age indicator.
Very little else was changed externally during the life of the car. Colours and roadwheels
Wheel
A wheel is a device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center, facilitating movement or transportation while supporting a load, or performing labor in machines. Common examples found in transport applications. A wheel, together with an axle,...
designs were changed mildly during the production run. The only other external indicator of the age of the car is the windscreen wiper
Windscreen wiper
A windscreen wiper or windshield wiper is a device used to remove rain and debris from a windscreen or windshield. Almost all motor vehicles, including trains, aircraft and watercraft, are equipped with such wipers, which are usually a legal requirement.A wiper generally consists of an arm,...
; very early models have a traditional blade, where newer ones have a "flex" version ("Aerotwin" from Bosch, model 760). This change was made for model year 2002.
2000-2001
- February 2000: introduction of the A2 with 75 PS petrol engine
- September 2000: introduction of the 75 PS diesel
- June 2001: introduction of the 1.2 TDI engine in 3L into mainland European market.
2002-2003
- CAN-BUS is used for the OBD systems, as required by EU Regulations.
- Aerotwin wiper
- Aluminium trim pack becomes standard equipment in the UK
- Diesel-engined A2s after May 2002 no longer have a pre-heater run by diesel, but a powerful internal electrical heating element.
- May 2002: Use of the 42l petrol tank in all non 3l versions. 3l available with 21l standard tank or 34l tank, allowing a theoretical 1100 km range.
- June 2002: 1.6 FSI engine introduced with the larger (42l) petrol tank and re-modelled rear spoiler (higher position, larger size to increase high speed stability). Non S-line FSI's featured re-tuned softer suspension tuning due to many complaints over the harsh ride of other models
- The first color.storms (in 'Misano' red, 'Imola' yellow and 'Sprint' blue) became available. These brought colours which had only previously been available on S and RS models or as an Audi Exclusive option to the standard colour chart.
- Diesel engines used after September 2003, engine code BHC, fulfil the requirements for Euro4 exhaust emissions, again as a result of legislation.
- Spare tire and tyre repair kit delete becomes a paid-for optional extra in the UK
2003-2004
- Extended color.storm colour options, including 'Papaya' orange and later 'Avus' silver
- September / October 2003: Availability of the 90 PS TDI. Grill now with slats (but still solid), new Matrix cloth replaces both satellite and jaquard-satin cloth, yellow leather no longer available, additional external colours available including Akoya Silver and Mauritius Blue, New Wheel designs became available
- Use of MK60 ESP / ABS system.
- FSI and 90 PS TDI engines phased out towards late 2004/early 2005
2005
- Special Edition (including CD player and climate control) models introduced into UK markets, at this time no other models were available in the UK
- AudiAudiAudi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
only just broke even on every A2A2A2 is a letter-number combination.The terms A2, A02, A002, A², A.II or A-2 may refer to:-Media:Gaming :* A2 Racer, a 1997 Dutch racing computer game series...
they sold and only made money on cars with optional extras and the models continuation was reviewed by the board of directors - New CEO of VW/AudiAudiAudi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
Bernd PischetsriederBernd PischetsriederDr. Bernd Peter Pischetsrieder is a German automobile engineer and manager.He was born in Munich, Bavaria, and studied Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Munich from 1968 to 1972. He earned the degree of "Diplom-Ingenieur", and began his career at BMW in 1973 as a Production...
's first decision was to remove the A2 from the AudiAudiAudi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
range
Special versions
Audi also has a version of the A2 in its Neckarsulm plant which has been converted into a pickup truckPickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
by trainees — the "A2 Caddy". This was on public show for the first time at the A2-Club of Germany's annual meeting in Amberg
Amberg
Amberg is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in the Upper Palatinate, roughly halfway between Regensburg and Bayreuth. Population: 44,756 .- History :...
, Germany, in August 2005. Pictures of the event are available on the German A2-freun.de site linked below.
Audi also released an S-line version in Germany as of late 2002, with 17" 9-spoke "RS4" style wheels (standard were 15"), sports seats with large side bolsters and lumbar support, special half-leather seat coverings with Pearl Nappa leather and Sprint cloth, leather handbrake handle, perforated leather gearstick and 3-spoke steering wheel and 10 mm lowered sports suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
. Additionally, the interior roof lining, the dashboard and carpets were black, the instrument faces titanium-coloured and an S-line badge was added to the rear doors. The driver information system and illuminated vanity mirrors for driver and passenger completed the package
In the UK, the last Audi A2s (from early 2005 to June 2005) were badged as special edition models featuring a reduced price tag, digital climate control and a 'Concert II' radio with CD player as standard. They were the only models available in the UK at this time and were available with either the 1.4 petrol or 1.4 TDI engines. This special edition gave the A2 a final sales boost in the UK.
Lekker/DBM electric A2
In October 2010, an A2 converted to electric power by Lekker Energie and DBM Energy completed an early morning 600 kilometres (372.8 mi) drive from MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
on a single charge. Upon arrival, Rainer Bruederle, Germany's Economics Minister, called the test drive a "world record."
The car was said to still have 18% of its charge remaining on arrival in Berlin and the average speed was reported as being 90 km/h (56 mph). The "kolibri" batteries used in the design are so compact that the vehicle retains its four seats and bootspace. A production version would be possible; "the technology could be implemented today. It is up to industry to use this potential" was the comment from Mirko Hannemann, the head of DBM.
Remaining numbers in UK and Germany
There are fewer and fewer remaining A2's as time goes on. The aluminium chassis is frequently written-off by insurers due to the relative dearth of "aluminium specialists" - for example one in all of Scotland - and the training and experience required to repair the shell. Welding is frequently required and aluminium is seen by many as difficult to weld, mainly due to the very high melting point of the outside oxidation, requiring the part to be welded to be prepared correctly.Combined with relatively high parts prices and hourly rates, apparently minor bumps may mean 'beyond economic repair'. Many examples of damage and subsequent repairs can be found in both the UK and German A2 owners club forums, often with tales of personal repair efforts and costs involved. Since the community is small, it has been seen that the repairer drives an A2 and therefore has an interest in both a correct repair and documentation has been provided in the UK forum.
Other repair specialisations are subject to denial on the part of Audi both in the UK and Germany, especially when dealing with Open Sky. Certain dealerships - such as the mentioned Autohaus Rinner in Bad Tölz in southern Germany - have specialised in roof repairs and replacements.
The KBA ("Kraftfahrtbundesamt") released numbers on request and after payment to the German A2 club which indicate that around 70,000 A2s are registered in Germany as of end November 2010. Of those, less than 5,000 are 1.6 FSIs. This information was released on condition that it was not for publication; the full statistics are only available to members. Colour information is not recorded.
1.2 TDI "3L"
The Audi A2 1.2 TDITDI
-Chemistry:*Tolerable Daily Intake ,*Toluene diisocyanate, an organic chemical-Entertainment:*Total Drama Island, an animated reality series that started July 8, 2007...
had the lowest drag coefficient
Drag coefficient
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or...
of any car in the world at the time of its launch. It was also one of the most economical and lowest polluting, only emitting 81 g/km (German emission standard D4) to 86 g/km (D3 emission standard) CO2 emissions.
Two versions of the car were available in Germany during its production run. The D4 version, which used only 3 l/100 km, was "standard". This version had no power steering, climate control or other extras, with the only optional extra being body coloured door handles and wing mirrors. The reason behind having no optional extras was that every option adds weight and loses economy. It had a fixed rear seat squab. 2.88 l/100 km was tested.
The second version, which was at least available in Germany, was a D3 version which was still capable of 3.0 l/100 km. This version had options for climate control, winter pack, comfort pack but was not available in all markets. Ordering these packs ensured power steeering or spot lamps as part of a package. The OSS system was not available at all on the 3L.
On both versions, the glass was thinner, the seats were lighter and 14" Magnesium alloy wheels were used, with the standard tyre fitment being 145/80 R14 T76 Bridgestone Ecopias or Continental Winter Tyres using very flat wheelcovers to minimize turbulence. The engine block was also made from a light alloy despite it being a diesel it weighed just 100 kg.
The rear spoiler was reshaped, moved and extended through wind tunnel
Wind tunnel
A wind tunnel is a research tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects.-Theory of operation:Wind tunnels were first proposed as a means of studying vehicles in free flight...
ling to achieve a 0.25 cd figure. Additional underbody panels were also added to achieve this.
The car had an automated manual transmission which had a Tiptronic mode on the selector.
The car also had an ECO mode. When engaged it limited the power to 41 bhp (excluding kick down) and programmed the transmission to change up at the most economical point. ECO mode also activated the start/stop function
Start-stop system
In automobiles, a start-stop system or stop-start system automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling, thereby improving fuel economy and reducing emissions...
, a feature that was new to European cars at that time.
In ECO mode, the clutch was disengaged when the accelerator pedal was released for maximum economy, so the car freewheels as much as possible, with the clutch re-engaging as soon as the accelerator pedal or brake pedal are touched.
The 3L also has only 4 wheel bolts and Finned Alloy brake drums at the rear, along with many aluminum suspension components. An internal presentation from Audi appears to indicate that the complete shell of a 3L A2 weighs around 15 kg (33 lb) less than that of a "normal" A2. The 3L has been noted on the Autobahn under non-scientific conditions to be faster at top speed than the standard A2, mainly as a result of the extremely long 5th gear ratio and the excellent aerodynamics. Appropriately, steps have been undertaken by owners in both the UK and Germany to extend the fifth gear of the standard TDIs, resulting in better economy, lower noise and higher top speeds.
A total of 6450 1.2 TDI models were built. The first one to be imported into the UK is detailed here: http://www.greenconsumerguide.com/audi_a2_tdi.php
Technical information
The following internal combustion engineInternal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
s were available:
| engine Internal combustion engine The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine... name | displacement Engine displacement Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches... / configuration Engine configuration Engine configuration is an engineering term for the layout of the major components of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. These components are the cylinders and crankshafts in particular but also, sometimes, the camshaft.... | max. power Motive power In thermodynamics, motive power is an agency, as water or steam, used to impart motion. Generally, motive power is defined as a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover. The term may also define something, as a locomotive or a... at rpm Revolutions per minute Revolutions per minute is a measure of the frequency of a rotation. It annotates the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis... | max. torque Torque Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist.... at rpm | engine ID code(s) | (seconds) | top speed | fuel consumption Fuel economy in automobiles Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed.... | years produced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| petrol engine Petrol engine A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine with spark-ignition, designed to run on petrol and similar volatile fuels.... s all fuel injected Fuel injection Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s.... |
||||||||
| 1.4 16v | 1390 cc inline 4cyl Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... 16v Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... DOHC |
55 kW @ 5,000 rpm |
126 N·m (93 ft·lbf) @ 3,800 rpm |
AUA, BBY |
12.3 sec | 173 km/h (107.5 mph) | 6 L/100 km | 06/00–04/02 05/02–08/05 |
| 1.6 FSI | 1598 cc inline 4cyl 16v DOHC Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) Gasoline direct injection In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines... |
81 kW @ 5,800 rpm |
155 N·m (114 ft·lbf) @ 4,400 rpm |
BAD | 9.8 sec | 202 km/h (125.5 mph) | 5.9 L/100 km | 05/02–08/05 |
| diesel engine Diesel engine A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber... s all Turbocharged Direct Injection Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... (TDI) |
||||||||
| 1.2 TDI aka: 3L |
1191 cc inline 3cyl Straight-3 A straight-three engine, also known as inline-three engine, or a triple, is a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine with three cylinders arranged in a straight line or plane, side by side.... SOHC |
45 kW @ 4,000 rpm |
140 N·m (103 ft·lbf) @ 1,800–2,400 rpm |
ANY | 14.9 sec | 168 km/h (104.4 mph) | 3 L/100 km | 03/01–08/05 |
| 1.4 TDI | 1422 cc inline 3cyl SOHC | 55 kW @ 4,000 rpm |
195 N·m (144 ft·lbf) @ 2,200 rpm |
AMF, BHC |
12.6 sec | 173 km/h (107.5 mph) | 4.3 L/100 km | 06/00–08/03 09/03–08/05 |
| 1.4 TDI | 1422 cc inline 3cyl SOHC | 66 kW @ 4,000 rpm |
230 N·m (170 ft·lbf) @ 1,900–2,200 rpm |
ATL | 10.9 sec | 188 km/h (116.8 mph) | 4.3 L/100 km | 11/03–08/05 |
Future A2
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011, Audi announced a new entirely electricElectric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
A2 expected to enter production, exhibiting a concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
. The superstructure made largely from aluminium, additional parts in Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer, and other construction techniques restrain the weight to only 1,150kg. A lithium-ion battery placed between the floor holds 24 kWh of usable charge. An electric motor is transversely mounted at the front of the vehicle, the electric motor delivers through the front wheels and uses a single-speed transmission. The vehicle will also incorporate Shift-by-wire, Brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire contactless technology, and LED matrix technology for the headlights and tail lights.
Technical specifications
Source:| Engine Engine An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion... |
Transmission Transmission (mechanics) A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a... |
Maximum Power Power (physics) In physics, power is the rate at which energy is transferred, used, or transformed. For example, the rate at which a light bulb transforms electrical energy into heat and light is measured in watts—the more wattage, the more power, or equivalently the more electrical energy is used per unit... |
Maximum Torque Torque Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist.... |
0-62 mph 0-100 km/h |
Top Speed | Acceleration 0-100 km/h | Battery capacity and Range | Charge Time | Weight Weight In science and engineering, the weight of an object is the force on the object due to gravity. Its magnitude , often denoted by an italic letter W, is the product of the mass m of the object and the magnitude of the local gravitational acceleration g; thus:... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Motor | 1 Speed | 116 PS (80 PS Continuous) |
270 Nm (160 Nm Continuous) |
9.3 Seconds | Limited to 150 km/h (93 mph) | 9.3 s | 31 kWh200km (124 Miles) | 4 hours (240v) 1.5 hours (400v) |
1,150kg |