As part of the 150th-anniversary celebrations at Audi’s Neckarsulm site, twelve young talents hailing from diverse departments came together to infuse a vintage NSU Prinz 4L with the spirit of Audi’s new e-tron electric vehicles. The project, christened ‘EP4’, was unveiled on Family Day to honor the past and anticipate the future of Audi. Revering the heritage of Neckarsulm, the apprentices painstakingly restored and upgraded a 1971 NSU Prinz 4L. A 240 hp electric motor from a 2020 Audi e-tron now pulses in place of the original 30 hp two-cylinder gasoline engine, and the old fuel tank’s space is occupied by a battery pack from the Audi Q7 TFSI e quattro.
“The project allowed us to marry the old with the new in a way that respects both the history of the site and the direction in which Audi is heading,” said Dean Scheuffler, an apprentice automotive mechanic at Audi. From the outset, the project was a collaborative effort, with the apprentices sharing ideas, solving challenges, and managing tasks. Mizgar Doman Hassan, an apprentice bodywork and vehicle construction mechanic, highlighted the initial hurdles of overcoming rust damage to set a firm foundation for the vehicle’s transformation.
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To handle the massive leap in performance, the apprentices undertook comprehensive modifications to the chassis and bodywork, using an Audi A1’s floor pan as a base. The widened body, now dressed in Audi’s Suzuka Grey and Brilliant Black, stands atop. Muscular fenders made with the assistance of Audi Design and 3D printing technology frame wide wheels, hinting at the vehicle’s prowess. The interior maintains a minimalist racing aesthetic with Recaro Podium bucket seats and a Signal Yellow roll cage. The primary interface is a single-board computer, serving as the vehicle’s speedometer, onboard computer, and diagnostic system.
The project offered the apprentices a practical platform to apply their skills, integrating forward-looking technologies like 3D printing and carbon fiber, typically used in motorsport. Their experiences extended beyond just crafting, as they also developed teamwork and met tight deadlines. Audi’s Technical Development department provided ongoing guidance, immersing the apprentices in the company’s procedures and networks. The EP4, a fusion of heritage and innovation, offers a glimpse into the site’s all-electric future. Its reveal elicited praise from Xavier Ros, Audi Board Member for Human Resources, who said, “Projects like this demonstrate that our company’s future is in excellent hands, thanks to our dedicated and creative young talent.” The journey from the 1971 NSU Prinz to the electrified EP4 symbolizes the strides that Audi, its staff, and the Neckarsulm site have made over 150 years. The project is a tribute to the site’s history and a testament to the progress of electric mobility and automotive engineering in general in the Audi universe.
Sources: Audi
