PAUHauto: Audi A2

The original was axed in 2005 due to the cost of its aluminium spaceframe chassis. The fresh model will retain this construction, but will be priced higher. Audi is set to justify the premium – and set the car apart from the more conventional A1 and A3 – with impressive technical innovation. 

As our illustrations show, the A2 is also likely to be highly flexible, with an MPV-style body. 

An insider told us: “It will only be an electric car. Most battery models are compromised as they are built on rehashed architecture, but the A2 will be built from the ground up as a pure electric machine.

“The idea is so popular [at Audi] that it could even spawn a family of A2 electric models and become almost a standalone brand.” The company recently bought a number of offshore wind turbines to offset the energy used in building a pilot fleet of A3s powered by natural gas, and is likely to pursue the same strategy to keep the A2 production program carbon neutral.

The model will also remain relatively light due to the aluminium structure under the skin. “The spaceframe is, was and always will be the car’s core,” our source insisted. Audi launched the original lightweight A2 to great fanfare in 1999, only for it to prove a sales flop, even though there was a special 1.2-litre version which claimed 90mpg in fuel consumption through the use of pioneering features such as stop-start technology.

Audi Q6

Development is just starting, but the outlines are familiar: a five-seat crossover with the all-wheel-drive underpinnings of the standard Volkswagen Touareg SUV and Porsche Cayenne (as well as the Q7, in long-wheelbase form), but with a coupe-style profile. Sportier Q6 S and Q6 RS are also rumored, the latter to bear the turbo 4.0-liter V-8 expected to show in the RS6 later this year.

Beyond these bare outlines, however, we have almost nothing to work with, including the timeline. If it's just now entering development, however, arrival by 2014 or 2015 would be a best-case scenario.

2011 Geneva’s Top 10 new cars

The Geneva Motor Show 2011 has already gone down as one to remember! Given the shear number of new production cars and concepts at the show, it’s fair to say that the automotive industry has shaken off the pain of the past couple of years.

But it seems that the recession has proved to be the mother of reinvention for the car industry, with a host of truly innovative, interesting and exciting new cars making their debut at the Swiss expo.

And you’ve been hooked too, judging from our exception site traffic throughout the show. Here we rank the top 10 new cars.

1. Volkswagen Bulli

Sensational Bulli brings classic van bang up to date, featuring electric drivetrain and seating for six.

2. Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Alfa’s 4C debuts with 250bhp Giulietta engine and chassis developed by Dallara as evolution of KTM X-Bow.

3. Ford B-MAX

Ford reveals new Fiesta-based MPV at last, featuring unique ‘pillarless’ design.

4. Skoda Vision D

Five-door Vision D concept reveals future design direction for Skoda and offers glimpse of new family car.

5. Lamborghini Aventador

Aventador blasts off to replace Murciélago with hi-tech carbon construction and a 691bhp V12.

6. Saab PhoeniX

Bold new PhoeniX shows brand’s new styling direction and points to look of next 9-3.

7. Toyota FT-86 II

Legendary Celica returns as Toyota debuts close-to-production second FT-86 concept.

8. Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato

Fiat’s 500 gets a coupe makeover from Italian design house Zagato and could preview a production model.

9. Audi A3 saloon

Saloon previews Audi’s next premium family model, joining three-door, Sportback, Avant, Coupe and Cabriolet.

10. Citroen Metropolis

Metropolis revealed in Europe for first time, and production version will top DS range as part of joint venture with Chinese maker.

Audi RS5

Audi RS5 official images

RS version of the A5 unveiled ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut featuring 444bhp V8

Audi's mystery Geneva model has stepped into the spotlight! Earlier today leaked images of the RS5 appeared on the internet, but now Audi has released official pictures and all the details on the latest model to wear the hallowed RS badge.

Power will come from Audi's venerable 4.2-litre V8 - the same engine used by the RS4 - but turned up to tyre-smoking 444bhp. Hooked up to a seven-speed S Tronic twin-clutch gearbox as standard and using Audi's legendary Quattro all-wheel drive, it should provide scintillating performance. The 0-60mph sprint takes 4.6 seconds and the top speed is limited to 155mph, although Audi can increase that to 174mph on request.

A new compact and lightweight centre differential means up to 85 per cent of the power can be sent to the rear tyres for a sporty driving experience. A rear differential can also be added to improve the on-limit handling. Suspension lowered by 20 millimetres and Audi's drive select system, which allows you to choose between three driving modes - comfort, auto and dynamic - should sharpen up the experience even further.

The RS5 has received a unique body treatment to the lesser-powered S5. A new front bumper with larger air intakes, blistered wheel arches and a new honeycomb grille without a horizontal bar through it are the most obvious changes.

At the back a re-profiled rear bumper sits above a blacked-out diffuser with the trademark RS oval tailpipes either side. Unique 19 or 10-inch alloys, revised LED taillights and a rear spoiler, that deploys automatically at 74mph, finish off the exterior tweaks.

On the inside electric sport seats take pride of place, while RS badging on the steering wheel and door sills, and an in-buiilt lap timer hint at the car's potential.

VW E-Bugster

The E-Bugster is a concept with dual roles. Its job was to prepare for the Beetle Cabriolet, but it also previews a two-seater Beetle-based speedster that’s heading for production.

The Bugster’s platform is borrowed from the Beetle cabrio, but with 30mm wider tracks front and rear. It’s also lower than the new Beetle by 90mm and features a smaller and more inclined windscreen. The two-seater layout is partly to create a classic roadster look, but also because the lithium ion batteries in this electric concept are placed behind the front seats.

Inside, there’s a black and white colour scheme with bucket seats and a horizontally mounted iPad in the dash. A power meter shows the instantaneous demand on the battery, remaining range and intensity of battery regeneration. The electric drive system was first created for the VW Golf EV so gets the same 113bhp and 270Nm of torque.

The first thing we noticed is this is a very close to production concept car – unlike other concepts the door closes with a satisfying thud. On the move there were no rattles or squeaks.

Find some corners and it feels relatively light (it’s just 120 kg heavier than a comparable Beetle 1.4 TSI) and well balanced, although we were limited to just 25mph on our test route. Even so, the suspension tuning was quite sporty and the brakes, taken from the Audi TT-RS felt strong.

Right now there are customer clinics underway to determine the feasibility of this fun car. If they give it the thumbs up, the first VW Roadster could be given the green light within the next 12 months.

Lamborghini Urus 2012

Lamborghini has taken the wraps off the Urus – a stunning new SUV that promises to secure the future of the company, just as the Cayenne did for Porsche.

It’s Lamborghini’s second-ever off-roader – after the 1986 LM002 – and will come with 600bhp, four-wheel drive and a £150,000 price tag. The car is expected to ride on Audi’s MLB architecture.

In terms of styling, the Urus echoes the canned Estoque saloon concept with an angular design. Bosses say it will be the world’s fastest-accelerating and best-handling SUV, although they have yet to confirm what engine will sit under the bonnet.

It could potentially use a modified version of the VW Group’s new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 or a 6.0-litre W12. Both of these engines are used in the latest Bentley Continental GT.

Whatever engine powers the production version, Lamborghini is targeting a 0-60mph time of around four seconds. And although the company says the top speed for an SUV is “not really relevant”, it’s likely to reach well over 180mph.

Like the Aventador, the Urus uses carbon fibre for its chassis and body, and the company claims it’s 100kg lighter than even an aluminium model would be.

Nods to practicality include a height-adjustable front spoiler to aid approach angles, although with its sporting dynamics, the car won’t offer Land Rover-style off-road ability.

The Urus – named after the ancestor of all domestic cattle – could be in showrooms by 2016 if feedback is positive.

Mercedes A25 AMG spied!

The Mercedes A25 AMG has been spied outside AMG HQ in Affalterbach, Germany. These images show that the AMG version of the A-Class will get new bumpers and more aggressive side skirts, with the front-end’s larger air intakes designed to cool a much larger braking set-up.

There’s also AMG alloys and a much lower ride height, while at the rear there's a set of rectangular exhausts replacing the regular A-Class’s round versions.

The A25 AMG will have four-wheel drive, with a dual-clutch gearbox transferring around 350hp from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That’s more power than the Audi RS3 and BMW 1 Series M Coupe, which both produced 335bhp.

The A25 should beat both in the sprint from 0-62mph, with an estimated time of 4.5 seconds, while top speed will be electronically limited to 155mph. 

In terms of handling, the A25 AMG has a wider track front and rear to boost grip, while revised suspension settings and standard-fit adaptive dampers will be used.  

The A25 AMG will go on sale in 2013.

Audi E-Tron Spyder

The e-tron Spyder is a glimpse into Audi’s future – we already know the firm is planning a mid-engined sports car to sit below the R8, and this concept gives us the best idea of how it will look. We got an insight into how it might handle, too, as we took the wheel for an exclusive drive.

The car was first displayed at last year’s Paris Motor Show, and its wheelbase is a full 220mm shorter than the R8’s. It’s only 4.06 metres long and 1.11 metres high, but a purposeful-looking 1.81 metres wide. Audi has clearly gone to a lot of trouble to make the e-tron Spyder stand out, and it’s one of the best-looking sports cars we’ve seen; the wheels for example are each made from 66 individual parts.

Climb aboard and the cabin design is simpler, but just as stylish. There’s a set of one-piece carbon fibre seats, complete with electronic adjustment, and they’re very comfortable. Hi-tech touches include ventilation controls that blend seamlessly into the dash and can be opened or closed at the swipe of a finger.

Driving the rear wheels is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine, while a pair of plug-in electric motors turn the front wheels individually. Together, they produce a total of 383bhp and a huge 1,002Nm of torque.

Not only does that mean the Spyder is capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds, but it can also run on electric power alone for around 30 miles. On our first run we were limited to the electric-only mode, and as we pulled away, the e-tron whined and hummed. But there’s a slight disappointment as you realise the car isn’t quite as quick as its looks suggest, too.

That changed when the diesel was fired into life for our second run. The twin-turbo V6 hurled the e-tron forward and, because it uses a CVT gearbox, engineers have done without the artificial gear ‘steps’ of a production car. It just revs up to the point where the most torque is and stays there while the car picks up speed.

Audi Urban Concept

Called the UrbanConcept, the radical machine has semi-open wheels and is narrow enough to be easy to drive and park in crowded city streets.

Fully electric, two of Audi’s e-tron electric motors drive its 21-inch wheels, while it is built from a combination of aluminium and carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), promising a blend of strength and safety as well as light weight.

The UrbanConcept’s taut, aggressive lines are also said to provide hints to the future design language of Audi’s mainstream line-up. Blinking LED lights further mark out the partly exposed wheels, which also have brake energy recuperation to extend the lithium-ion battery pack’s range.

The passenger compartment is made from CFRP, with some of the technology Audi’s own, and some of it derived from sister firm Lamborghini’s Aventador supercar. Both the seatbases are moulded into the carbon fibre body, and the driver can adjust the pedals and steering wheel to suit.

Audi insists the seating positions – with the passenger to the side and slightly behind the driver – will provide plenty of space while keeping the cabin narrow. To enter the car, both occupants slide the large, single-piece roof back.

All of the cabin’s controls and materials are made from carbon fibre, aluminium and lightweight upholstery. That promises to lend the sleek UrbanConcept reasonable straight-line performance and allows it to use a smaller battery pack than would be fitted to a converted production car.