Audi has revealed its Crosslane Coupe Concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Though not intended for production, the plug-in hybrid Crosslane’s look hints at what to expect from Audi’s upcoming Q2 compact crossover.
Visually, the Crossaine is highlighted by muscular rear “hips,” narrow headlights and a larger-than-normal rendition of Audi’s corporate grille. Underneath the sheetmetal, the crossover uses an exotic spaceframe constructed of aluminum, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer and fiberglass-reinforced polymer, helping to keep the curb weight to 3,064 pounds.
A novel element is a movable trunk can slide forward to facilitate access from inside or scoot back to free up space for rear seats – effectively turning the crossover from a two-seater into a 2+2. The Crosslane also features a targa-style top that can be removed for wind-your-hair motoring.
Motivating the Crosslane is a 1.5-liter TSFI three-cylinder motor that teams with two electric motors – a smaller unit that acts primarily as a starter and an alternator, and a larger that is tasked with moving the wheels. A 17.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack helps give that second electric motor a 53-mile range when operating on its own in pure electric mode at speeds up to 34 mph.
Total system output is 176 horsepower, good for an 8.6-second zero-to-60 mph sprint, but the Crosslane’s most impressive stat its potential fuel economy - Audi says the crossover could return up to 256.8 combined mpg.
There’s a fair chance that elements of the Crosslane’s weight-saving measures and efficient powertrain could show up on future Audi models, and the odds are even better that its styling will carry over to the diminutive Q2, whenever the diminutive crossover ends up debuting – many had thought that it would be revealed in Paris, but that hasn’t proven to be the case.
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