Audi - A2 / Iceland (2000)
Audi A2 / Aluminium from Iceland ! (Alusuisse)
The A2 was produced at Audi's "aluminium" Neckarsulm plant in Germany on a special line purpose-built for it.
It was the first five-door vehicle on sale in Europe with an average fuel consumption less than 3 litres per 100 kilometres (94.2 mpg‑imp; 78.4 mpg‑US), although these figures only applied to the special "3L" version with a diesel engine, automatic gearbox, stop-start system, less power and narrower tyres. Due to its construction, the average A2 weighs 830 kg. The last A2s to be produced were built in August 2005.
Aluminium from Iceland ! (Alusuisse)
In 1993 Audi selected Alusuisse as primary supplier of body panels for the A8, which had an all-aluminium body. The decision consolidated Alusuisse’s position in the automobile market, said the annual report.
The Audi A2, one of the rare applications of aluminium for a small car, was unveiled at a spectacular launch in 2000.
Besides Sierre another six European Alusuisse plants were involved in the A2 manufacturing partnership with Audi. Alusuisse Automotive accounted for around 20% of product sales in the aluminium division at the time. This required a considerable preliminary outlay.
For the Audi A2 project alone, which started in 1995, around 70 million Swiss francs were invested in special machinery and infrastructure. “Robots and a hydroforming system brought the fabrication technology to the production stage.”
The A2, whose kerb weight of 895 kg made it 40% lighter than a conventional steeldesign model, was not a success, however. Launching such a valuable vehicle in the form of a compact car was perhaps too bold a step.
Audi - A2 / Iceland (2000)
Audi A2 / Aluminium from Iceland ! (Alusuisse)
The A2 was produced at Audi's "aluminium" Neckarsulm plant in Germany on a special line purpose-built for it.
It was the first five-door vehicle on sale in Europe with an average fuel consumption less than 3 litres per 100 kilometres (94.2 mpg‑imp; 78.4 mpg‑US), although these figures only applied to the special "3L" version with a diesel engine, automatic gearbox, stop-start system, less power and narrower tyres. Due to its construction, the average A2 weighs 830 kg. The last A2s to be produced were built in August 2005.
Aluminium from Iceland ! (Alusuisse)
In 1993 Audi selected Alusuisse as primary supplier of body panels for the A8, which had an all-aluminium body. The decision consolidated Alusuisse’s position in the automobile market, said the annual report.
The Audi A2, one of the rare applications of aluminium for a small car, was unveiled at a spectacular launch in 2000.
Besides Sierre another six European Alusuisse plants were involved in the A2 manufacturing partnership with Audi. Alusuisse Automotive accounted for around 20% of product sales in the aluminium division at the time. This required a considerable preliminary outlay.
For the Audi A2 project alone, which started in 1995, around 70 million Swiss francs were invested in special machinery and infrastructure. “Robots and a hydroforming system brought the fabrication technology to the production stage.”
The A2, whose kerb weight of 895 kg made it 40% lighter than a conventional steeldesign model, was not a success, however. Launching such a valuable vehicle in the form of a compact car was perhaps too bold a step.