2019 Audi A2 City Car Concept

The Audi A2 city car will be offered with a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and an all-electric powertrain with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor similar to those used in the VW e-Up. Intriguingly, the automaker is said to have ruled out a diesel engine due its higher development costs.

This is the third time Audi attempts to enter this segment. In 1999, the original Audi A2 was introduced but soon scrapped after failing to pull buyers away from the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. In 2011, an electric A2 concept was unveiled and pinned to reach the production line, but in 2013 the project was axed.

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Peugeot Fractal Coupe Hatch Convertible Concept

We don't have any information on what powers this dynamic looking sports hatch/convertible yet, but in one of the interior pictures we did notice a battery charge icon that reads "62% - 98km" on the instrument panel, so it's either a pure-electric model or a hybrid/plug-in hybrid (we can’t tell for sure if it has tailpipes).

We'll also have to hand it to Peugeot for picking a really cool name on this one – maybe it'll have actual fractal patterns in the detailing to tie it in. They show a sported up coupe-hatch concept with a retractable roof and seating for four in a 2+2 layout.

It borrows more than its fair share of design elements from Peugeot's recent digital racer for the Gran Turismo 6 game, mixing hard lines and edges with curvy surfaces on the body, together with the shape and styling of the slim LED headlights and tail lamps, and some of Peugeot's more production elements like its trademark front grille.

The new Peugeot Fractal Coupe-Hatch-Convertible concept will debut at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show.

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2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle

The new Soul EV-e model offers a long list of standard equipment at a lower price point, while the Soul EV+ continues as the range-topping trim and is further enhanced for 2016 with the addition of the Sun & Fun Package. The other states in which the Soul EV is available (Georgia, Hawaii, Oregon, Texas and Washington) will continue to offer only two trim levels - Soul EV and Soul EV+.

In addition, all Kia Soul EV models get additional standard features for 2016 including a charge port nozzle lock, an illuminated Aux/USB port and two new exterior colors: Shadow Black and Bright Silver.

Priced from $32,775 ($25,275 if the federal tax credit is deducted), the new Soul EV-e model offers a long list of standard features including a DC fast charge port, 6.6-killowatt onboard charger, 3.5-inch OLED Supervision cluster, smart key with push button start and a driver-only ventilation function that closes the passenger vents to help maximize efficiency based on vehicle occupancy. The Soul EV-e also includes heated front seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and FlexSteer.

However, compared to the $34,775 Soul EV, it lacks a battery-heating system, heat-pump HVAC, navigation system, backup camera, UVO EV connectivity services, cargo screen, and turn-signal side mirrors.

For 2016, the popular Soul EV+ gains a new available Sun & Fun Package, which includes a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting and speaker lights that pulse to the beats of the six-speaker audio system. Standard EV+ features include ventilated front passenger seats, heated rear outboard seats, leather trimmed seats, front and rear Park Assist, and power folding mirrors.

Nothing changes from a technical point of view, with the Soul EV offering an EPA estimated range of 93 miles (150 km) from its 27-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

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Mini Superleggera Roadster

The Mini Superleggera Concept was arguably one of the most successful design exercises of the brand when it debuted back in 2014 but since then we didn't have a clear answer on when and if the concept will reach production. Speaking to Autocar, Mini boss Peter Schwarzenbauer said: "The interest was tremendous when we showed this concept car. We are now working hard to get it on the street. It's an economically challenging project and there is no firm decision, but we have a lot of people here that are fighting for it. I think it would be extremely good for the brand."

Not quite 100% per cent then, but the story goes on saying that they have decided to use the same platform with the three-door Mini due to its versatility, low weight and rigidity which makes it suitable for use on an open-top model.

That means that the Superleggera will be FWD with the possibility of an all-wheel drive setup for the more punchy versions. Schwarzenbauer sees it as a clean start and not as the successor of the Coupe and Roadster models. "They don't compare. The Superleggera is a serious sports car," he said.

The production version of the Superleggera will use the same engine range with the Mini hatchback, meaning a lineup between 1.5 to 2.0 litres and perhaps a new hybrid system which will debut in the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer, combining a three-cylinder 134hp 1.5-litre turbocharged and a rear-mounted 87hp electric motor, producing a total of 216hp.

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Audi RS7 Piloted Driving Concept

RS 7 nicknamed "Bobby" completed a driverless lap on the Hockenheim circuit at speeds up to 240 km/h (149 mph). The new generation of the car is called "Robby," has the same power output (560PS or 552hp, but is around 400kg (882lbs) lighter than its predecessor. Obviously, Robby delivers better performance than Bobby.

The new RS7 Piloted Driving Concept took just 2:01.01 minutes to complete the 4,050-meter (2.5 mi) circuit. "In Sonoma, we took the Audi RS7 piloted driving concept to its physical limits lap after lap, and it handled the task with uniform precision. The car turned in lap times that were better than those of sports car drivers," said Thomas Müller, who is responsible for the development of brake, steering and driver assistance systems at Audi.

Audi will be offering piloted driving for the first time in the upcoming generation of the Audi A8. That's why company is also testing piloted driving in real road traffic. Earlier this year, an Audi A7 prototype called "Jack" drove on public highways from Silicon Valley to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Later on, the same car drove autonomously on German autobahns at speeds up to 130 km/h (81 mph). Audi says its piloted driving technology will increase safety, time savings, efficiency and convenience. The systems can take control of the car during parking or in stop-and-go traffic on freeways at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph).

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Audi Roadjet Concept

The German automaker is reportedly considering dropping the three-door A3 hatchback in favor of a four-passenger TT, as well as building an A3 Sportback Allroad and even an A3 minivan. While the fate of the slow-selling three-door A3 hatchback is almost sealed, the popular A3 Sportback will likely gain a rugged Allroad version. Rumor has it Audi plans to expand the Allroad lineup with models based on the A5 Sportback and A7 Sportback as well.

Audi is also said to plan a compact four-passenger TTC coupe that would be more or less related to the TT. The Audi TTC is envisioned as a roomier, more practical and more affordable alternative to the TT – somewhat similar to the VW Scirocco or Hyundai Veloster. Work on the TTC Concept is said to have already begun.

Finally, Audi's compact family may get an MPV that would rival BMW's 2-Series Gran Tourer. However, an Audi A3 minivan would not target the European market, but China, where Audi believes premium compact people carriers will soon be in high demand.

"While there is no shortage of upmarket, compact-size four- and five-seaters, we believe that before long every leading premium brand will need a compact-size seven-seater," an Audi product planner told Automobile. "You see, while the executives always travel in style, the workers must follow in very basic people-movers like the best-selling Wuling Hongguang. Audi is thinking to smooth over this difference in style with a new model not unlike the BMW Gran Tourer," the source added.

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