The car will provide technology clues to the look and packaging of a future Audi production cars.

Power is provided by a modified version of the 1.4-litre Turbo FSI petrol engine recently adopted by the A3, combined with a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor mounted behind the rear seats which reduces fuel consumption and emissions by around 15 per cent. The petrol engine’s increased 150PS output, (up from 125PS in the A3), is delivered at 5,500rpm, and its 40Nm higher torque output of 240Nm peaks from just 1,600rpm. The electric motor adds 41PS and an extra 200Nm of torque, and when engine and motor work in unison the metroproject quattro is able to accelerate from rest to 62mph in 7.8 seconds.

The metroproject quattro is able to derive its power solely from its petrol engine, purely from its electric motor, allowing up to 62 miles at speeds of up to 62mph, or through a combination of the two, their interplay controlled by the highly intelligent on-board management system.