Geneva 2011: Audi A3 Concept Packs 408 Horsepower, Previews Production Model

Audi has officially unveiled its new A3 concept sedan at the Geneva motor show, teasing us with a new, attractive, entry-level AWD four-door to complement its A3 lineup and put Mercedes' small cars in the closet. The concept measures 4.44 meters long, 1.84 meters wide, and 1.39 meters high, and makes use of a lot of CFRP.

That carbon fiber-reinforced plastic finds its way into the grille, front air intakes, 20-inch wheels, side mirrors, and rear diffuser, while aluminum highlights can be found inside and out.

Under the hood are a 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder (300 kW / 408 horsepower ; 500 Nm / 369 lb-ft) and 7-speed S tronic transmission which help hurl the car to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Efficiency figures go like this: 9.1 liters/100 km (25.85 US mpg), with 212 grams CO2 / km (341.18 g/mile) in emissions.

Chassis improvements are derived from Audi's RS3 pocket rocket, using McPherson struts and a lot of aluminum up front and a four-link setup in back with steel control arms.

Inside the light, conservative interior are four sports seats, a customizable information display between the speedo and tach housed behind the sporty steering wheel, and reportedly plenty of space due to a longest-in-class wheelbase of 2.63 meters. The A3 concept sedan also has 410 liters / 14.48 cubic feet of trunk storage capacity.

The backs of the front seats have one really neat feature for fans of Steve Jobs: iPad holders. After all, this car is a wireless hot spot and surfing the internet on your iPhone is so 2009. Between those front buckets reside the knob and touchpad for the MMI multimedia system, which controls the snazzy screen that raises out of the top of the dashboard.

Scroll on down for live pics, while more official info should be out later this year.

By Phil Alex

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Geneva Show: Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe Concept with Mid-Mounted 1.75-Liter Turbo Engine and RWD

Alfa Romeo has unveiled a concept study for a compact and affordable "supercar” called 4C Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The car is a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupe with a mid-mounted engine that could find its way into production as early as 2012. According to the Italian car maker, the 4C represents “the true essence of a sports car, according to the brand values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety.”

As the name suggests, the car is supposed to be a smaller version of the 8C Competizione, which is also true in the case of the design, as the 4C looks very similar to Alfa's supercar. The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has a length of approximately 4 meters and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 meters. These dimensions emphasize the compact size of the car and also accentuate its agility, Alfa says.

Not only does the 4C resemble the 8C, it also uses some technology and materials derived from the Ferrari-powered supercar, such as carbon fiber, aluminium and the rear-wheel drive system. However, the small coupe doesn't get a V8 engine but a more modest 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol borrowed from the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde. This engine develops 200 horsepower and is mated to a twin dry clutch transmission dubbed “Alfa TCT”.

If you think 200 ponies is a little tame for a sports car, Alfa points out that the 4C has been engineered to weigh less than 850 kilograms (1,874 lbs) for a power to weight ratio of around 4 kg/hp, an impressive figure made possible by the extensive use of carbon. The body is made completely of carbon fiber, while the rear frame structure and the crash boxes use aluminium extensively.

The reduced weight has a crucial contribution in obtaining performance figures worthy of a sports car, with the 4C reaching a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds.

Alfa also also claims that the suspension ensures "maximum agility and road handling.” Add the weight distribution (40% on the front, 60% on the rear) to the equation and you have the most interesting Alfa Rome in years.

By Dan Mihalascu

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