First pics of the Audi A2 concept

Remember the original A2? The funny-looking space blob with aluminium panels? This is its successor. Well, sort of.

To preview the new A2's launch in 2015, Audi'll be showing off a concept car not entirely dissimilar to the one in these pictures at this year's Frankfurt motor show.

Like the mooted production car, the new A2 concept's a full EV (though there are also rumblings of a plug-in hybrid for the 2015 launch), with an 85kW electric motor that delivers 199lb ft of torque through the front wheels through a single-speed transmission. Audi reckons it'll do 125 miles between charges, which will take four hours from a normal 240v plug.

And guess what? The new version's actually SMALLER than the original - 26mm shorter and 63mm lower, to be precise. Diminutive dimensions, aluminium construction and a smattering of CFRP parts keep weight down to just 1150kg.

Underneath, it's par for the small-car course. There are MacPherson struts up front and a torsion bar rear end. The steering and brakes, on the other hand, are a bit bonkers. Both are 100% electric and have no mechanical or hydraulic connection to the wheel or pedals.

The concept's also got Audi's latest LED headlight tech, called (assume Darth Vadar voice) matrix beam. They use micro-reflectors to generate a high-resolution, non-glaring high beam. Fancy. The rear lamps adapt their brightness to visibility conditions but it's the fog lights that are the snazziest - they use laser diodes to project a red triangle on the road. Not that you'll see it, mind.

Design wise, it's all very Audi. It's got blanked-off version of Audi's single-frame grille, which flips for the plug point. There's also the characteristic evil ninja eyes and a high waistline. There's also a glass roof that changes its transparency via a button inside.

The interior's unusually Bauhaus considering the production car's getting pitched as premium. There are five slender seats and, umm, not much else.

The tech's not bad, though. There are three iThing-like instrument rectangles - behind the steering wheel you see the usual car info stuff, to the right you get a larger internet-connected infotainment screen and there's a little ‘un by the indicator/wiper stalks for basic controls.

There's also something called a semi-autonomous driving mode, which sounds alarming. Tap both steering wheel-mounted touchpads and the A2 takes over. Which sounds slightly concerting, but we're sure will be fine.