Yesterday, Audi has offcially revealed its new Audi A5 lightweight prototype, which is more than 100 kg lighter than the standard vehicle. The lightest version currently available in the U.S. market is the 3.2-liter V6 quattro with 3,737 pounds. The engineers of the Audi have reduced the weight of the new A5 Coupe by more than 240 pounds.
The Audi A5 lightweight prototype is made from aluminum and carbon fiber. Thanks to the significant weight loss the A5 prototype is able to use a four-cylinder engine with its attendant economy and emissions advantages to deliver the performance of a higher output V6. Due to this changes the car manufacturer was able to reduce fuel economy as well as overall emissions. The handling agility is also better now.
The Audi A5 lightweight prototype is powered by the 2.0-litre, 211PS Turbo FSI engine, the A5 achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 161PS per tonne. For comparison, the ‘standard’ A5 3.2 FSI V6 quattro with 265PS, which tips the scales at 1,540kg, shades it only by a fraction at 172PS per tonne.
The Audi A5 lightweight prototype comes with the aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) concept that reduces the car’s weight from 1,420kg to 1,310kg.
The weight reduction also features a knock-on effect on ancillaries such as the brakes and transmission, which can also be reduced in size and weight. It also enables the car to change direction noticeably more keenly and nimbly and, thanks to the weight reduction, to ride with even more refinement.
