
Audi is débuting this striking crosslane coupé model at the Paris motor Show, this week.
The plug-in hybrid concept is based around a Multimaterial Space Frame layout utilizing aluminum, carbon fibre-reinforced polymer and glass fibre-reinforced polymer, and measures 4.21 metres in length, 1.88 metres in width and stands 1.51 metres tall, meaning it’s virtually the same size as Audi’s Q3 SUV, but thanks to its lightweight construction weighs around 50 kg less, at 1,390 kg – including the lithium-ion battery.
Powering the crosslane coupe is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder TFSI developing 95 kW (130 hp) and 200 Nm of torque, and a pair of electric motors. The first motor, a 50 kW (68 hp) and 210 Nm unit, acts as a starter and alternator, while the second motor, producing 85 kW (116 hp) and 250 Nm, is used for traction purposes. A claw clutch enables this motor to connect directly to the transmission, meaning speeds up to 55 km/h (34 mph) can use electric power drawing energy primarily from the 17.4 kWh battery. Between 55 km/h and 130 km/h (81 mph) the engine and alternator become part of the hybrid drivetrain, which chooses its source depending on whether the ‘cruise’ or ‘race’ mode is chosen. The TFSI engine becomes the main source of drive above 130 km/h, with the smaller motor providing support if required. 0-100 km/h occurs in 8.6 seconds (electric mode: 9.8s), while top speed is 182 km/h (113 mph). Impressively, fuel consumption is a mere 1.1 litres every 100 kilometres (214 US mpg) while the CO2 figure is just 26 g/km.
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