Audi has reportedly stopped developing a new generation of the A2. It was supposed to be a production version of 2011’s electric car concept and a follow-up to the previous generation variant that had an aluminum spaceframe construction.
The Ingolstadt-based automaker was planning to bring the new A2 to the market sometime in 2015 to rival the BMW i3. It would have been offered not only as a plug-in hybrid but also as an EV.
The concept showcased in 2011 featured a so-called “sandwich floor” construction, much like the original Mercedes-Benz A-Class. This layout would have been useful to position the lithium-ion battery pack while an electric motor with 114 hp was in charge of driving the front wheels. Audi previously mentioned the A2 Concept is capable of providing a maximum range of 125 miles while charging the batteries to their full capacity takes about four hours.
Industry analysts consider this as an unexpected move from the German firm but the automotive industry seems to contain a smaller market for EVs than initially predicted. Both Vauxhall and Opel have ditched their plans on rolling out an electric version of the Adam, while Nissan’s Leaf is far from being a hit in the crucial US market.
Source: WorldCarFans
