Less is more for Audi's "Urban Concept Study."
The vehicle embodies Audi's view of an electric-powered city runabout, with a one+one seating configuration, a mass of just 480kg and a range of around 70km.
Designers were given the brief "How much car is necessary to deliver driving pleasure and urban mobility in an entirely new way?" and responded with the urban concept study.
It rolls on 21-inch wheels offset from the body like an open-top race car and the roof slides for entry and exit _ or it can be left open to enjoy the weather.
Audi says the battery recharges in around 20 minutes with a 400-volt three-phase system, or in about one hour with a 230-volt household power outlet.
It is also capable of induction recharging. Drivers will park the vehicle above a plate embedded in a garage or parking bay. The presence of the car activates the coil in the plate, which then generates an alternating current to top up the 90kg lithium-ion batteries.
Power is provided by two electric motors that drive the rear wheels with 15kW/47Nm. Audi says the 0-100km/h time is 16.9 seconds _and the concept is limited to that speed. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic is used for the exterior and parts of the passenger cell, helping to keep the weight low. The vehicle is 3.2m longs, 1.7m wide and 1.2m tall. Safety was another key criteria and the concept has front and rear crumple zones, two airbags and a collision avoidance system.
