World's first volume-production aluminum
car
Audi A2 – fascinating technology and a new form of agility
Photo: Audi AG
Ingolstadt, August 23, 1999. At
Audi, visions are rapidly transformed into reality: when Audi
unveiled the design study of an aluminum-bodied car under the
name of Al2 at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, it
was giving the automotive world a glimpse of the shape of things
to come.
Just two years on, at this year's
Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi will be presenting the production
model based on that design study: the Audi A2. With its refined
ASF Audi Space Frame, this is the first volume-production car
in the world to have a body made entirely from aluminum.
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 aluminum 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 liters, 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 liters 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 aluminum 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 liters
of fuel before the end of the year.
Technical Data - Audi A2
Programme for Germany -
Status: September 2000
Model
Audi
A2 1.4
Audi A2 1.4 TDI
Engine / electrics
Engine type
Inline
4-cyl. spark ignition engine
Inline
3-cyl. diesel engine with exhaust gas turbocharger
Valve gear
Two
overhead camshafts (DOHC)
Overhead
camshaft (OHC)
Displacement in cc / bore x stroke in mm / compression ratio
1390
/ 76.5 x 75.6 / 10.5
1422
/ 79.5 x 95.5 / 19.5
Max. power output in kW (bhp) / at rpm (acc. to 80/1269/EEC
55 (75)
/ 5000
55 (75)
/ 4000
Max. torque in Nm / at rpm (acc. to 80/1269/EEC)
126
/ 3800
195
/ 2200
Engine management
Electronic
sequential multipoint injection with adaptive idle-speed control
and overrun fuel cut-off
Oxidating
catalytic converter with exhaust gas recirculation
Emission category acc. to 94/12/EU
EU 4
EU 3
Alternator in A / battery in A/A
90 /
380/80
120
/ 420/82
Drive / transmission
Drive layout
Front
wheel drive
Gearbox type
5-speed
manual gearbox, synchromesh on all gears
Gear ratio in 1st gear / 2nd gear
3,45
/ 2,10
3,78
/ 2,12
Gear ratio in 3rd gear / 4th gear
1,39
/ 1,03
1,36
/ 0,97
Gear ratio in 5th gear / reverse gear
0,81
/ 3,18
0,76
/ 3,60
Final drive ratio / final drive ratio II
3,88
3,39
Running gear / steering / brakes
Front suspension
McPherson
spring-strut suspension with lower triangulated wishbones, anti-roll
bar
Rear suspension
Torsion-crank
rear axle with separate springs and shock absorbers, track-stabilising
rear axle mountings
Steering / turning circle in m (D102)
Electro-hydraulic
maintenance-free rack-and-pinion steering with track-stabilising
steering roll radius / 10.5
Electronic control systems
Anti-lock
brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution
(EBD), electronic differential lock (EDL), traction control
(ASR), and electronic stability program (ESP)
Avantissimo
