Superleggera Vision Concept 2018

The stunning Superleggera Vision Concept that was shown last year at the Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance has been given light for production, a new report claims.

The Mini British based automaker has set the name for this two-seater convertible in collaboration with the famous design house Touring Superleggera from Milan Italy.

Production Mini Superleggera concept could use a plug-in hybrid powertrain similar to that of the i8 sports car. That arrangement will see a petrol engine mount at the front, with an electric motor mounted at the rear axle, along the same lines as BMW's all-wheel drive range-extender electric car powertrain. It will be based on the same UKL platform which already underpins the rest of the Mini range as well as the BMW 2 series Active Tourer.

The Superleggera will be positioned above the topless version of the Mini Hardtop as a more back to basics, driver focused model aimed right at the fourth-gen Mazda Miata and the upcoming Fiat 124 Spider. The superleggera is expected to make the transition from concept to production with only minor visual modifications. The futuristic headlights, the overly thin side mirrors and frameless windshield will be tossed out, but the long fin on the trunk lid and the UNion Jack-shaped tail lamps will suprisingly be retained.

BMW board member with the responsibility for Mini Peter Schwarzenbauer said that Mini was still exploring the potential of plug-in hybrid and EV tecnology. "Every new Mini model will come with a hybrid option; Plug-in hybrids are economically a little easier" he said "Full electric is extremely challenging. Finding small space to put all the batteries in is extremely challenging. We are working on both possibilities."

Schwarzenbauer said "There is no decision at the moment, but we have a lot of people here that are fighting hard for it. One of our superheroes will be an open car. I'm not saying the superleggera will come, but you will have an open car."

Audi R8 e-tron electric supercar

The R8 e-tron made its first appearance as "the e-tron concept" at the 2009 Frannkfurt auto show. The name, shape and colour of the R8 e-tron were inspired 1982 science fiction film Tron, by Steven Lisberger. In 2010, as side show to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, then Audi R&D chief Michael Dick drove a few laps on the course, barely finishing because of the charging state.

Audi has unveiled a new version of its R8 e-tron electric supercar concept at CES Asia.

A statement released by the company said "The R8 e-tron piloted driving technical study is equipped with all of the functions of piloted driving. Data is acquired from the interplay of an array of sensors: the new type of laser scanner, several video cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radar sensors at the front and rear. Based on signals from these sources, the central driver assistance control unit (zFAS), a compact central computer, computes a comprehensive picture of the vehicle's environment."

Specifications:

The R8 e-tron 2.0 is fitted with a T-shaped lithium-ion battery shoe horned into the center tunnel and behind the passenger cell. It will be a rear-wheel drive vehicle and it can go a full 280 miles on an electric charge. The rear-mounted electric motors produce 456 horsepower and 679 lb-ft of torque, all funneled through a single-speed transmission. The sprint to 62 mph from just 3.9 seconds and top speed rated is 155 mph.

The first e-tron concept an all-wheel drive car with four motors was rated at 313 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. It would have reached 62 mph in a 5.2 seconds it would have topped 125 mph. Its range was less than 150 miles.