Audi says 1+1 equals ‘urban concept’

Audi has just released these sketch drawings of what they call the ‘urban concept’. Basically they’ve taken the Volkswagen XL1 and given it a personality. It looks pretty cool too, don’t you think.

The issue of whether a 1+1 seater electric powered city car is a genuinely practical proposition is another question altogether. Then there’s the free-standing wheels. They look great, but not sure they would make it into final production.

The ‘urban concept’ is powered by a pair of e-tron motors, one for each axle we assume. We also assume we’ll be seeing more of this car at Frankfurt next month.

Residents of Berlin were given a very brief preview of the car during a film shoot in Potsdamer Platz on the weekend. You can see a couple of YouTube clips after the break. It’s actually quite helpful to see the car in a real-world context. It’s not quite as small as you might think.

Ingolstadt, 2011-08-10

The Audi urban concept – a completely new kind of concept car

• An innovative urban concept car with 1+1 seats
  
• Sleek cockpit made from CFRP, free-standing wheels with protective plates
  
• Elaborate suspension, compact electric drive system for sporty performance

Audi is once again opening up new horizons: the Audi urban concept is a 1+1-seat, ultra-light car for congested urban spaces. The technical study does not fit under any of the conventional 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 is not based on any previous model – its development is solely oriented on the strict principles of lightweight construction, efficiency and reduction. The result is a concept car with no unnecessary weight, and one that concentrates on the pure essence of sporty motion.

The Audi urban concept has a sleek 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 completely new impetus.

On board there is room for two people, their position slightly staggered and at a sporty, low level. All controls and materials are subject to the dictates of ultra-lightweight construction in order to ensure they convey a completely unique, sensory allure. The driver can adjust the steering wheel and pedals to his own body measurements. Entry to the car is via the tailgate. The roof is designed to be maneuverable and slides to the rear to open.

The technology in the Audi urban concept reflects the full capabilities of the brand, especially when it comes to ultra-lightweight construction. The cockpit consists of 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 with the ability to accelerate powerfully. A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy – ideal for extended city tours.