Prius

Make
Toyota
Segment
Hatchback

Audi is seriously working on something big here, as they're building up hype for the premiere of their urban concepts at next month's Frankfurt Auto Show. As these latest computer images remind us, both the coupe and spyder are two-seaters that combine design cues from basic German bubble cars. By adding more modern design, Audi designers, engineers, and electrical experts are looking at new ways of combining style, ultra lightweight construction, packaging, and efficiency into future vehicles.

Each concept has a common central tub that Audi has attached a race car style pushrod suspension which can support the outboard mounted 21-inch wheels. The vehicles are based around a carbon fiber monocoque and supposedly weigh less than 1,100 pounds each. The coupe version has a canopy that automatically retracts to reveal the staggered two seat arrangement. The spyder, on the other hand, receives a cut down windscreen and partial side windows in a move similar to the E-Tron spyder concept. Each of the plug-ins is measured at 126 inches in length, 67 inches in width, and 47 inches in height.

For comparison, they're a bit larger than the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive. Power comes from a 15kW electric motor that's mounted at the rear and provides power to the rear wheels. Energy comes from a lithium-ion battery pack that, according to Audi, gives each concept a range between 31 and 37 miles. Performance isn't amazing, as they can go only from 0 to 37mph in 6.3 seconds, with top speed being limited to 62mph in order to protect battery charge. Will either of these urban city car concepts make production? Audi says no, but they plan on taking lessons learned from their construction and applying them to future production cars.