Audi A2

Photo: Audi AG

The A2 is another example of how Audi's designers have striven to preserve the progressive design of the underlying concept, the Al₂, throughout the maturing process. With its striking shape, the A2 reinforces Audi's claim of setting new standards of automotive design. The car's shape at the same time conveys the utterly distinctive character of a concept which again underlines Audi's capabilities as a pioneer of new technology.

The A2 ingeniously and systematically exploits Audi's wealth of experience in pioneering lightweight construction. The use of the Audi Space Frame means that the aluminium body of the A2 is around 43 percent lighter than if it were made from steel, using conventional techniques. Its tare weight of only 895 kg is the lowest in its class. The A2's fuel consumption is consequently below that of other cars of a comparable performance. And its low weight makes it particularly agile.

Two engine versions of the A2, each with a displacement of 1.4 litres, will be on display at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show. The A2 with the high-torque three-cylinder TDI engine, an output of 55 kW (75 bhp) and pump-nozzle injection, clocks up 100 km on only 4.2 litres of diesel fuel, accelerates from 0 to 100 in 12.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 173 km/h.

The A2's suspension combines ultramodern electronic components, such as ABS anti-lock braking as standard, EBD electronic brake-force distribution and the ESP electronic stability program, with the proven technology of a McPherson spring-strut axle at the front and a torsion-beam rear axle. As on the Audi A8, the ASF structure constitutes an ideal basis for high passive safety, with the Audi Space Frame made from high-strength aluminium profiles surrounding the occupants like a protective cage. Driver, front passenger and side airbags are fitted as standard, and Audi's SIDEGUARD safety system is available as an optional extra. 

The A2, a car designed for the 21st century, is a fully-fledged member of the Audi model range; Audi is planning to launch a version capable of covering 100 km on only three litres of fuel before the end of the year.

Westfalia Van Conversion GmbH will continue to provide vehicle conversion services for automobile manufacturers other than DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler's acquisition of a stake in Westfalia reflects the increasing demand for customized conversion services for vans and recreational vehicles. "We fulfill customers' individual requirements and offer specially-equipped vehicles for individual needs," says Dr. Rolf Bartke, director of the Vans Europe business unit at DaimlerChrysler. "Such a complete service package from one single source is extremely important to the success of van manufacturers today.

The close ties with Westfalia reinforce DaimlerChrysler's existing coopera-tive activities with vehicle conversion specialists. The acquisition of a stake in Westfalia is a customer-oriented step to meet the increased demand for "system solutions." These provide new car buyers with a complete package that includes vehicle service, maintenance, spare parts supply, financing and used car buyback.

DaimlerChrysler and Westfalia already cooperate in the recreational vehicle segment on customizing and converting the Vito F, Vito Marco Polo and Sprinter James Cook. DaimlerChrysler's involvement is meant to enable the company to expand its range of customer-specific system vehicles according to the respective demand in various customer segments. The 49-percent stake in Westfalia will provide the company with an economic and technical basis that will enable successful business expansion in the future.

IMTS is TMC's answer to the needs of 21st century transportation --reducing congestion and addressing other urban mobilization issues, while helping senior citizens and other people get around freely in a convenient and economic way. It combines the speed and regularity of rail transport systems with the economy and flexibility of buses by applying the latest ITS technologies -- most notably those concerning Advanced Cruise-Assist Highway Systems (AHS). The core of the publicly-minded system comprises specialized roads that allow automatic operation of up to about six coupled buses moving in a line. But it also incorporates regular roads, on which drivers operate the vehicles much in the way they would a regular bus, allowing for selective destinations. And by simply releasing or connecting the mechanical coupling between the buses, the number of buses can be easily adjusted to adapt to changes in demand.

In pursuit of its goal to create a transportation system that shows consideration for both people and the environment, TMC has included features such as a low-floored, "stepless" bus, and has installed a newly developed, low-emission compressed natural gas (CNG) engine.

The vehicles themselves, which are based on currently mass-produced buses, can be serviced and maintained at regular bus service stations, eliminating the need for construction of specialized maintenance facilities. Another key characteristic is that because the system's operation requires neither rails nor electric power lines, construction and maintenance costs are much lower than conventional railway-based or other new transport systems.

With these benefits, potential uses of IMTS include connecting airports, major train stations or popular resorts with neighboring cities or suburban residential areas, all of which are affected by major fluctuations in demand, and providing medium-volume transportation between provincial cities. TMC will continue to work toward perfecting IMTS through operational testing. At the same time TMC will call public attention to the tests in order to gather opinions from a variety of sources with regard to possible applications and will work toward integrating such suggestions into the list of practical uses for the IMTS system.