Audi has released the first handful of (CG-enhanced) pics of the A2 Concept bound for next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and it’s not bad – assuming you’re partial to your refrigerator.

Appliance-inspired styling aside, the A2 is Audi’s answer to the BMW i3, but is rumored to arrive two years after BMW’s premium EV in 2013.

An 85kW electric motor drives the front wheels through a single-speed transmission, with a maximum of 199 pound-feet of torque and an estimated range of around 125 miles thanks to its lithium-ion battery pack. Charging will take around four hours on a 240-volt outlet, while the A2 will zip from 0-to-60 miles per hour in just over nine seconds before topping out at a limited 93 mph. A fair amount of aluminum and carbon fiber keeps the weight down to 2,535 pounds – about 200 pounds less than the i3 – and Audi says an autonomous driving mode will be part of the package.

Expect more from the Frankfurt show floor next week.

Audi releases first pics of A2 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another day, another heaping scoop of salt in our open mid-sized pickup wound. Mazda has released a few shots of the upcoming BT-50 Freestyle pickup. Essentially an extended-cab version of the standard BT-50, the Freestyle offers a slightly smaller cabin and a marginally larger bed than its brethren. Mazda says that the cargo box has grown in every direction, allowing for a total capacity of 51.3 cubic feet.

The cab features two reverse-hinge half-doors in addition to the two standard front doors. The pilarless design makes for easy ingress and egress to the rear seats.

Mazda’s corporate design language is still slathered all over the exterior of the BT-50, but the cab proportions help balance out the sweeping lines, at least in our book. Like its Ford Ranger chassis mate, the BT-50 was designed in Australia, which is expected to be the truck’s largest market. While the pickup will likely show its smiling face in numerous other countries, it isn’t destined for North America any time soon. Readers outside of the U.S. can expect to see the truck touch down on dealer lots later this year.

Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Mazda releases first pics of BT-50 Freestyle pickup that’s still not coming to U.S.

Mazda releases first pics of BT-50 Freestyle pickup that’s still not coming to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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