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The German automaker Audi has just revealed details about an aluminum prototype lightweight A5 Coupe that uses the same space frame architecture that is used in the Audi R8 super car and TT sports coupe. Audi’s goal is to improve the overall performance of the midsize coupe by reducing its curb weight, by 242 lbs to be exact. When Audi’s engineers reduce the mass of the A5 coupe, they allow the engine to to breathe easier, the brakes to work less and the suspension to be tuned more precisely; making the four ringed luxury car a better all around performance machine.  The prototype Audi A5 is based on the steel bodied production car, replacing the bulkier design with the bespoke aluminum Audi Space Frame that reduces the weight of the prototype from 3,130 lbs to 2,888 lbs. While it’s currently powered by a 2.0 Liter TFSI four cylinder that makes 211 HP, in the interest of weight and economy, the lightweight chassis would make a great candidate for the foundation of a very nice future super car from the 100 year old four ringed automaker. With all the current talk of Audi RS5s in America in the near future, it looks like this prototype is a test mule for a 450 HP V8 powered 2011 RS5. Not only would the lightweight construction make the future RS5 an even better handling machine, but hopefully Audi’s power train engineers have sorted out the new A5’s transaxle layout so that the engine can sit a bit further back in the body. Just imagining an aluminum Audi RS5 with its blistered fenders and gills in the front bumper only hint subtly at the beast that would lie beneath. Another interesting fact about an aluminum bodied FSI V8 sports car would have over twice the horsepower, so an aluminum B segment RennSport would have twice asa much potential to push around all that weight. Press release after the jump. Press release A lightweight Audi A5 Coupe prototype has jettisoned over 100kg by swapping steel for advanced aluminium and carbon fibre construction in the interest of fuel economy, emissions reduction and handling agility. The A5 project is the latest example of the pioneering work undertaken by the Vorsprung durch Technik brand to extend efficiency optimisation measures well beyond the engine bay. 6 comments: Audi A5 aluminium bodied prototype Audi claimed they made a prototype weighing 800 lb less than the production model. I made a skeptical comment then. Well, now the prototype is out of the lab, and weighs 200 lb less (not 800lb) and it is still not a production car.
 @ Euginewoods - yes it does affect the handling, audi know how to handle that problem if you want more grip change you rubber and make your tire wider also make the spring stiffer to cut easily through tight corners.
 Audi claimed they made a prototype weighing 800 lb less than the production model. I made a skeptical comment then. Well, now the prototype is out of the lab, and weighs 200 lb less (not 800lb) and it is still not a production car.
 if they make the body all aluminum, I think the handling of the car will be affected, because the body will be lighter.
 aluminum is light and tough plus it decays less than the regular car steel body, and it can accelerate faster than the regular a5 plus make it’s handling superb.
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Posted on
10.11.2010 @ 01:08