Japan: Audi to unveil metroproject quattro concept at Tokyo Motor Show
Wednesday, October 24, 2007, AutomotiveWorld.com
Audi will unveil the metroproject quattro, a sub-compact concept vehicle, at the Tokyo Motor Show. The concept is a three-door, four-seater hatchback incorporating a hybrid powertrain and lithium-ion batteries with plug-in capability.
The car's primary engine is a four-cylinder 1.4-litre turbocharged FSI gasoline engine. According to the OEM, this upgraded engine is capable of 147hp (110kW), compared with 123hp (92kW) on the A3, with a torque rating of 173 lb ft (240Nm).
While this engine delivers power to the car's front wheels, the electric motor, capable of 40hp (30kW) transmits power to the rear wheels with maximum torque output of 144 lb ft (200Nm), taking the car's total power output to 187hp (140kW) and 318 lb ft (440Nm) of torque.
The engine is coupled to the S-tronic Direct Shift Gearbox, which has a fully automatic mode as well as steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual operation. When both gasoline and electric drives are operating, the metroproject is an all-wheel drive vehicle, hence the quattro designation. The metroproject also features Audi's Drive Select system, which can be shifted between two specific configurations for the drivetrain, shift characteristics and MagneRide shock absorbers.
Audi claims average fuel consumption of 20.4km/l, with carbon dioxide emissions of 112g/km, which amount to a 16% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions over a similar non-hybrid car. The car is claimed to have a 0-100km/h time of 7.8 seconds, with a top speed of 201km/h.
The metroproject's batteries enable a range of 100km in electric-only mode.
The metroproject quattro concept is 3.91m long, 1.75m wide, 1.40m high and has a wheelbase of 2.46m. According to the company, the car's luggage compartment has a capacity of 240 litres.
The car features a coupe-like roof line with two aluminium arches running along the top edge of the windows connecting the A- and C-posts and a spoiler integrated into the rear window. Other design highlights include a single-frame grille, and aluminium finish on the grille, mirror housings, door handles, fuel filler cap and tailpipes.
Published on Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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