Determined not to be left behind in the green car race, Audi has unveiled plans for its smallest and most economical vehicle yet.
The German manufacturer is planning to build a city car that will be based on the Volkswagen Up! It will share most of the underpinnings of the VW car but will be branded under the Audi moniker to maintain the executive air of the brand. In fact the VW up! will be used as a platform for a number of small vehicles within the VW group including new models from SEAT and Skoda.
The new vehicle will rival the likes of the Fiat 500 and the Ford Ka but will have one major selling point ahead of its rivals. It will come with a choice of ultra-economical power plants with engineers working on a pair of 600cc two-cylinder turbo-charged engines – one diesel and the other petrol.
Fuel economy figures are expected to be among the industry’s lowest – at around 95mpg. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are also expected to be low – predicted at less than 100g/km. This will make the new Audi vehicle exempt from taxation here in the UK – however, the company is also said to be working on an electric powertrain which would further slash emissions.
This isn’t the only green project in line from Audi. The company is also said to be working on an eco-friendly replacement for the A2, which will feature electric-drive.
The Volkswagen Up! is due to be released in 2010 with the new Audi set to follow in 2012.
