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Steel vs. Aluminum:
European A-Class Case Study
| 2002 Audi A2:
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Aluminum Intensive Spaceframe Design
On the road price = $ 23,430
Curb weight = 200 lbs lighter than VW Lupo
Engine = VW 1.4 L TDI 75 bhp
Max speed = 107 mph
0-60 mph = 12.3 sec.
Fuel economy = 65.7 mpg (diesel)
CO2 Emission = 116 g/km
Insurance group = 6E (highest cost European insurance group)
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"In
a way, the A2 is an expensive option solely for town use"
- Car Magazine
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2002 VW
Lupo:
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Unit Body
Steel Design
On the road price = $ 14,810
Curb weight = 200 lbs heavier than the Audi A2
Engine = VW 1.4 L TDI 75 bhp
Max speed = 106 mph
0-60 mph = 12.3 sec.
Fuel economy = 62.2 mpg (diesel)
CO2 Emission = 119 g/km
Insurance group = 4E (average insurance cost)
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The 2002 Audi A2
represents the latest in technology, all aluminum vehicle to the Audi
fleet and is the highest volume of any aluminum intensive vehicle ever
produced. The VW Lupo is based on the identical platform as the A2
(engine and driveline components) but utilizes a 1996 vintage steel
unibody design. The difference in weight between the A2 and the
Lupo is approximately 200lbs.
Based on comprehensive
tests by leading European auto magazines, such as CAR (UK) and
Automobile (France), the following conclusions were found:
- Both using the same VW
1.4 L TDI engine and drive train, the combined fuel mileage is
almost identical (62.2 mpg (Lupo) vs. 65.7 mpg (A2))
- In terms of CO2
generated, contrary to aluminum company's claims of vast reduction
of CO2 by use of aluminum intensive designs, both
vehicles produce similar levels. In addition, the production
of primary aluminum from bauxite generates more CO2 than
the production of steel.
- Top Speed is virtually
identical (106 mph (Lupo) vs. 107 mph (A2))
- Acceleration:
0-60 mph is identical at 12.3 sec.
- Higher insurance costs
for the A2 (6E) compared to the Lupo (4E).
Fuel Savings
(all monetary values are
in US dollars)
Estimated vehicle
lifespan - 130,000 miles. (no
actual lifespan data avail.)
Est. average cost of diesel fuel in Europe - $2.30 (based on June
2002 data)
Est. average cost of diesel fuel in the US - $1.35 (based on June
2002 data)
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Fuel
costs
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Audi
A2 |
| Consumption: |
130,000miles/65.7mpg =
1,979 gallons of fuel for life of vehicle. |
| Europe: |
1,979
gallons x $2.30 per gallon = $4,552 |
| US: |
1,979
gallons x $1.35 per gallon = $2,672 |
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VW
Lupo |
| Consumption: |
130,000miles/62.2mpg =
2,090 gallons of fuel |
| Europe: |
2,090
gallons x $2.30 per gallon = $4,807 |
| US: |
2,090
gallons x $1.35 per gallon = $2,822 |
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With the Audi A2, you do
save an estimated 111 gallons of fuel but with a savings of only $255 in
Europe and $150 in the US. With the Audi A2 costing $8,620 more
than the VW Lupo, and with the Audi A2 being in the highest European
insurance class, the customer would most definitely not save any money
if purchasing an A2.
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