Friday, February 18, 2005
Audi A2 1.4 TDi
Motor manufacturers have two choices as far as model strategy is concerned. Diversify into an increasing number of market niches or go out of business. Plodding on with the same old model line-up simply isn't an option in a market where the number of sub-sectors seems to be growing at a pace which would have been unthinkable twenty years ago.
The only note of caution that needs to be sounded here is one of logical progression and there's no shortage of examples in motoring's "hall of errors" of cars that were simply beyond the manufacturer's traditional customer base and which, upon reflection, were probably not such a good idea in pure profit terms.
Volkswagen Group doesn't slip on too many banana skins and, with the notable exception of the VW Phaeton, has managed to organise its brands in such a way that it covers virtually the entire passenger car market without excessive overlap and, hence, intra-brand price competition.
Not quite in the same league as the Phaeton is Audi's A2 - an extremely clever car that hasn't quite caught the imagination of a well-heeled clientele already on its guard against small German cars following the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's highly public Elk test problems.
A2 features some highly advanced technology. It is the only small car in the world to use a body shell constructed entirely from aluminium - technology which it shares with the Audi A8. The Audi space Frame (ASF) concept involves panels that are integrated into a highstrength aluminium frame structure in which they have a loadbearing role. The space frame proper - weighing just 75kg - consists of extruded sections which are connected by vacuum die-cast sections. In conjunction with high-strength aluminium panels the frame is highly rigid yet very light.
As a result, the overall weight of the 1.4Tdi is just 1134kg and its 89bhp, three-cylinder engine propels the car to a top speed of 118mph and enables it to reach 62mph in 10.9 seconds. Mid-range pull is exceptional for such a small unit and it maintains motorway speeds with ease, but the story does not end there. Combined fuel consumption of 65.7mpg cannot fail to impress, while C02 emissions of 116g/km from the Euro IV engine put the A2 in fleet's BIK bargain basement.
The interior is highly spacious for a car with such a small footprint on the road and luggage space is on a par with cars one or two classes above. Added versatility comes in the form of rear seats that can be folded individually, collectively or removed altogether. Rear passengers enjoy the benefit of a deeper footwell than those in the front, allowing them to sit in a more upright position without knocking their knees on the front seats. Car rental fleet?
With so much in its favour you would expect the A2 to be a bestseller, but other factors come into play and this is not the case. Standard equipment includes traction control, ESP, transponder immobiliser and electric front windows. However, with a list price of £15,410, the omission of basic creature comforts such as air conditioning and a CD player appear decidedly miserly when compared to rivals' offerings in this class. Climate control is an £800 extra even on the SE model, while a single-slot CD player adds a further £200.
The A2 is packed with electronic gadgetry designed to keep the car and its occupants firmly on the road surface. Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), EBD, ESP, ASR and ABS all come as standard, ensuring that the A2 does not suffer the same embarrassment as the A-Class. Unfortunately, for all this technological wizardry the engineers seem to have overlooked a requirement which for many drivers will be closer to home - that of a comfortable ride. Firmly on the road describes it exactly, while at motorway speeds the sensitivity of the steering makes it hard for the driver to stay in lane if there is a momentary distraction.
Rear visibility is badly impaired by the rear spoiler and to make matters worse, the designers have opted for side mirrors that favour form over function and offer only a partial view of the road behind.
Those for whom the latest technology is all important cannot fail to be impressed with the A2's credentials. But with rivals offering so much more in a more user-friendly form it is not surprising that the accountants at VAG are asking questions about the future of the A2 project.
ROSS DURKIN
AUDI A2 1.4 TDI 5DROTR Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£15,410Max power . . . . . . . . . . .89bhp @ 4,000rpmMax torque . . . . . . . . . .144lb.ft @ 2,200rpm0-62mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.9 secsTop speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118mphCombined MPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65.7mpgCO2 emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 g/kmTypical monthly rental . . . . . . . . . . . . .£316
The only note of caution that needs to be sounded here is one of logical progression and there's no shortage of examples in motoring's "hall of errors" of cars that were simply beyond the manufacturer's traditional customer base and which, upon reflection, were probably not such a good idea in pure profit terms.
Volkswagen Group doesn't slip on too many banana skins and, with the notable exception of the VW Phaeton, has managed to organise its brands in such a way that it covers virtually the entire passenger car market without excessive overlap and, hence, intra-brand price competition.
Not quite in the same league as the Phaeton is Audi's A2 - an extremely clever car that hasn't quite caught the imagination of a well-heeled clientele already on its guard against small German cars following the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's highly public Elk test problems.
A2 features some highly advanced technology. It is the only small car in the world to use a body shell constructed entirely from aluminium - technology which it shares with the Audi A8. The Audi space Frame (ASF) concept involves panels that are integrated into a highstrength aluminium frame structure in which they have a loadbearing role. The space frame proper - weighing just 75kg - consists of extruded sections which are connected by vacuum die-cast sections. In conjunction with high-strength aluminium panels the frame is highly rigid yet very light.
As a result, the overall weight of the 1.4Tdi is just 1134kg and its 89bhp, three-cylinder engine propels the car to a top speed of 118mph and enables it to reach 62mph in 10.9 seconds. Mid-range pull is exceptional for such a small unit and it maintains motorway speeds with ease, but the story does not end there. Combined fuel consumption of 65.7mpg cannot fail to impress, while C02 emissions of 116g/km from the Euro IV engine put the A2 in fleet's BIK bargain basement.
The interior is highly spacious for a car with such a small footprint on the road and luggage space is on a par with cars one or two classes above. Added versatility comes in the form of rear seats that can be folded individually, collectively or removed altogether. Rear passengers enjoy the benefit of a deeper footwell than those in the front, allowing them to sit in a more upright position without knocking their knees on the front seats. Car rental fleet?
With so much in its favour you would expect the A2 to be a bestseller, but other factors come into play and this is not the case. Standard equipment includes traction control, ESP, transponder immobiliser and electric front windows. However, with a list price of £15,410, the omission of basic creature comforts such as air conditioning and a CD player appear decidedly miserly when compared to rivals' offerings in this class. Climate control is an £800 extra even on the SE model, while a single-slot CD player adds a further £200.
The A2 is packed with electronic gadgetry designed to keep the car and its occupants firmly on the road surface. Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), EBD, ESP, ASR and ABS all come as standard, ensuring that the A2 does not suffer the same embarrassment as the A-Class. Unfortunately, for all this technological wizardry the engineers seem to have overlooked a requirement which for many drivers will be closer to home - that of a comfortable ride. Firmly on the road describes it exactly, while at motorway speeds the sensitivity of the steering makes it hard for the driver to stay in lane if there is a momentary distraction.
Rear visibility is badly impaired by the rear spoiler and to make matters worse, the designers have opted for side mirrors that favour form over function and offer only a partial view of the road behind.
Those for whom the latest technology is all important cannot fail to be impressed with the A2's credentials. But with rivals offering so much more in a more user-friendly form it is not surprising that the accountants at VAG are asking questions about the future of the A2 project.
ROSS DURKIN
AUDI A2 1.4 TDI 5DROTR Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£15,410Max power . . . . . . . . . . .89bhp @ 4,000rpmMax torque . . . . . . . . . .144lb.ft @ 2,200rpm0-62mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.9 secsTop speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118mphCombined MPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65.7mpgCO2 emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 g/kmTypical monthly rental . . . . . . . . . . . . .£316
# posted by Liz Laurie @ 4:39 AM 
Comments:
<< Home
Shame the others hear didn't read your piece before replying!
The problem was marketing - the car is great - especially the 1.2 DI version that never sold in the UK - only rest of EU. near on 100 mpg, 81 gms CO2 /km and fun to drive!
Much better than a Prius but ahaed of it's time - people were still buying SUVs in the early naughties. If Audi had sold it as an ECO car with one engine size (1.2 TDI) it could ahve turned a profit - not just for Audi but the environment - it wil even run on bio diesel.
Post a Comment
The problem was marketing - the car is great - especially the 1.2 DI version that never sold in the UK - only rest of EU. near on 100 mpg, 81 gms CO2 /km and fun to drive!
Much better than a Prius but ahaed of it's time - people were still buying SUVs in the early naughties. If Audi had sold it as an ECO car with one engine size (1.2 TDI) it could ahve turned a profit - not just for Audi but the environment - it wil even run on bio diesel.
<< Home
