With the Paris Motor Show unveiling of the Audi Crosslane Coupe Concept, the Ingolstadt-based luxury carmaker looks set to exploit a new niche in its already vast model line-up with a Q2 crossover that will have its sights set squarely on the next-generation Mini Countryman.
The Crosslane’s styling shows such signature Audi design features as the single-frame grille and tornado line on the flanks meet a more angular and purposeful canvas. The three door concept, which at 4 250 mm long, 1 900 mm wide and 1 500 mm high is smaller than the current Q3, features a colourful cabin with bright orange trim inserts as well as a removable roof.
Its construction utilizes a Multimaterial Space Frame comprising aluminum, carbon-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), which brings the concept’s overall weight to1 390 kg.
Power is provided by a 3-cylinder 1,5-litre TSFI engine augmented by two electric motors delivering a combined power output of 130 kW, which is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 8,6 seconds and a 182 km/h top speed. The Crosslane can also cover 86 km solely on electric power and, according to Audi, will return 1,1 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 29 g/km.
The production Crosslane is expected to dispense with much of the lightweight componentry, as well as the removable roof, and will be underpinned by Volkswagen’s versatile MQB platform. A five-door body shape, petrol and diesel powerplants and a choice of front- and all-wheel drivetrains are expected to find their way onto the production car when it hits the market in 2015.