Audi's A2 electric car will be among the huge list of concept vehicles taking the stage at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt later this month. The automaker has so far only released sketches of the four-seater and there's no specifics as yet on the drivetrain (just the promise of a "powerful electric drive system for agile performance and long range"), but we can expect to see some very interesting dynamic lighting innovations along with a tech-packed interior that includes a steering-wheel-mounted touchscreen.
The A2 is claimed to comfortably seat four passengers within a length of just 3.8 meters (12.47 ft), height of 1.49 meters (4.89 ft), and width of 1.69 meters (5.54 ft). Its headlights incorporate a technology known as matrix beam, in which a package of LEDs and microreflectors are combined to generate what is described as a high-resolution and non-glaring high beam light. As with existing Audis, rows of daytime running light LEDs ring the headlights.
The tail lights are able to adapt their visibility according to conditions. Along with them sits a rear fog light, which appears as a beam of light within the fog, and projects a warning red triangle onto the road behind the vehicle.
Along both sides of the car, located just below the bottom edge of the windows, is a strip called the dynamic light. It serves as a continuous running light when driving, pulses of light travel along it when either of the turn indicators are activated, and pulses travel up it from the back, when the brakes are applied - the distance that the pulses travel indicate how strongly the brakes have been applied. Additionally, it contains approach sensors that will recognize the driver, and unlock the doors through gesture control.
The dynamic light strips even run through the car's interior cockpit. Other cockpit features include touchscreen control displays inside the steering wheel, and two secondary displays that fold back when not in use. Cargo can be stowed beneath the seat cushions, and a city bicycle can apparently be stowed between the two back seats, with its front wheel removed.
Another interesting feature is the glass roof, which turns from a dark tint to complete transparency with the touch of a button.
