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.

The Fastest Bean Machine In The World!

The Bean Machine? Nope!

A coffee-powered car has given its owner grounds to celebrate – after breaking a world speed record.

The Real Bean Machine

The British-made Bean Machine hit 65.5mph on Tuesday to become the fastest vehicle to run on caffeine.

Inventor Martin Bacon, 42, said the 1989 Ford pick-up is driven on pellets produced from waste in coffee production.

Fuel: Martin Bacon pours in the pellets

‘We’re thrilled to have taken the speed record for the fastest car of this kind,’ he said.

‘Coffee chaf pellets, which are produced from the waste in coffee production, are heated in a charcoal fire, where they break down into carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

‘The gas is then cooled and filtered before hydrogen is combusted to drive the engine.

Record holder: Mr Bacon in the Bean Machine

‘Any car can run on gasification,’ he added. ‘In fact, during the World War II, there were over 100,000 vehicles in the UK that ran on gasification, including cars, buses and delivery vehicles.

‘At the beginning of the 20th century, there were over 90,000 vehicles running on gasifiers across the world.’

He was presented with a Guinness World Record at Woodford airfield near Manchester.

Kia Track'ster

These are the latest pictures of the new Kia Track'ster – a hot hatch concept car that was the star of Kia's Chicago Motor Show stand.

The new three-door coupe points towards a dramatic addition to the Soul range, packing dramatic looks and a 247bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that drives all four wheels. Kia says the car is designed for use on the road and on racing tracks, hence its name.

The Track'ster features a distinctive white and orange paint scheme and a dramatic bodykit which makes the car around 13cm wider than the standard Soul. It includes Kia’s signature grille with an air intake trimmed in lightweight carbon fibre, sleek headlights with LEDs and a large lower grille flanked by immense LED driving lights.

The roof, complete with spoiler, is accentuated in contrasting orange. Carbon fibre side skirts are also coloured orange and incorporate rear-brake cooling ducts. 

Inside, the Track'ster carries on the aggressive styling theme with deeply bolstered orange suede-covered racing seats, mixed with grey leather for the rest of the cabin. Grey suede is used for the sport steering wheel and door panels, while the dashboard has large red turbine-style dials. A touchscreen controls the sat-nav, stereo and air-con systems. 

In the back, the rear seats have been replaced by a tray and space for a spare tyre. The idea was to make the tools and equipment necessary to keep the car performing in top condition easily accessible.

Kia says there are panels for stowing race helmets, suits and gloves. There is also a rear strut brace which incorporates a quick-release handle to allow for fast wheel changes.

Other highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/40 section Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres at the front and enormous 285/35 tyres at the rear.

Kia says the Track'ster has a 2.5cm longer wheelbase than the regular Soul – which helps to make it look even more sporty. Large 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes with six-piston calipers do the stopping at the front, while the rear discs measure 13.6-inches and have four-piston calipers.

The Track'ster has the show to match its go. Under the bonnet is a 247bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line-four cylinder which drives all four wheels through an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system and a six-speed manual gearbox with a short-throw shift. 

The concept also gets sports suspension. There are no official figures, but expect the Track'ster to do 0-60mph in under six seconds with a top speed of 145mph. 

Kia says that it has no intention to put the Track'ster into production, but insiders have hinted that with the drop-top Soul'ster likely to join the new Soul range, a three-door hot hatch won't be far behind.

BMW M6 2012

BMW has released first official pictures of the M6 Coupe and Convertible. Both cars are fitted with a 552bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.

The engine and seven-speed double-clutch gearbox are lifted straight from the M5 saloon. They fire the lighter M6 Coupe from 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds – two-tenths faster than the M5 and on par with the XKR-S – and from 0-124mph (200kph) in 12.6 seconds. The Convertible takes 4.3 and 13.1 seconds.

Thanks to the addition of direct-injection, turbocharging and stop-start, the Coupe and Convertible claim a huge 30 per cent improvement in efficiency over the old 5.0-litre V10 M6. BMW says they return 28.5mpg and 27.4mpg respectively.

The 6 Series’ styling is beefed up with a lower and more angular bodykit, flared wheelarches and optional 20-inch alloys. Four tailpipes poke out either side of the rear diffuser, and M-branded gills double up as indicators.

The Coupe has a unique, stepped, carbon fibre roof, while both cars have aluminium doors and bonnets, front side panels made of thermoplastic and fibreglass bootlids to save weight.

There’s even an element of practicality, with usable rear seats, while the boot provides 460 litres of space in the Coupe and 350 litres in the Convertible (or 300 litres with the roof down).

Inside, there’s carbon fibre trim, a specially designed steering wheel and sports seats to match the aggressive exterior. Plus, the handling is boosted by three-mode adaptive dampers and a mechanical limited-slip diff on the rear axle.

Two M buttons on the wheel can be used to store favourite settings for suspension, steering, stability control and gearbox response, while carbon-ceramic brakes will be an option.

Lamborghini Super Trofeo LP570-4

Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Lamborghini reveals ultra-light Super Trofeo Stradale at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Gallardo is going out with a bang. With a replacement on the horizon, Lamborghini has revealed the most extreme version of its ‘baby’ supercar: the LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale.

It’s based on the Blancpain Super Trofeo racer, and features the same V10 powerplant, delivering 570bhp and 540Nm of torque. Thanks to lightweight carbon fibre construction, the Stradale weighs 70kg less than a standard LP 560-4, at 1,340kg.

As a result, it sprints from 0-62mph in only 3.4 seconds and goes on to hit a 198mph top speed.

The newcomer is finished in traditional Rosso Mars racing red, and set off by the same rear spoiler as the racing car, plus forged high-gloss black 19-inch wheels and a carbon fibre diffuser. Inside, the black and red theme continues with Alcantara on the dash and parts of the seats. Contrasting red stitching is used throughout the cabin, alongside a black suede steering wheel.

As with the competition car, the Stradale has the robotised e-gear six-speed transmission, complete with Thrust Mode to allow a racing start off the line. Permanent all-wheel drive and Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres give maximum grip.

Only 150 Stradales will be built, and buyers will be able to personalise their example with a roll cage, four-point seatbelts and fire extinguisher. Prices are likely to start at more than £180,000.