A classic NSU Prinz sports coupé has been transformed into as a striking EV by a group of 12 Audi apprentices to mark the 150th anniversary of the German firm's factory in Neckarsulm.
Called the EP4 (its name is a reference to the Prinz 4), it houses a rear-mounted 236bhp electric motor derived from a 2020 Audi E-tron, with power supplied by a front-mounted battery used in the plug-in hybrid Audi Q7 TFSIe. The battery sits under the carbonfibre bonnet in place of the Prinz's fuel tank.
Despite an extensive modernisation, the car – a 1971 NSU Prinz 4 that had been lying dormant – retains its front and rear lights and prominent shoulder and roof lines.
Modifications have been made to accommodate the new powertrain, which is 207bhp more powerful than the Prinz's original two-cylinder petrol engine.
The main changes were made to improve cooling. Air is now able to circulate via large green intakes at the foot of the bumper, with hot air escaping through an opening in the bonnet. Even the tailgate can be fixed half-open to stop the electric motor overheating.
In addition to this, the floorpan, brakes and axles are taken from an Audi A1, upon which is mounted an extensively widened body, wide wheels and performance tyres.
At the back, a bright yellow wing is attached to the roll cage rather than the bodywork. The body itself is coated in Suzuka Grey and Brilliant Black paintwork – Audi colours – with '150' lettering on the doors.
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I believe there is an error here, the front and rear lights resemble the Prinz 1000 rather than the 4.
The proliferation of restomods and other tribute designs suggests a dire shortage of interesting and desirable current designs. How many contemporary 2020s cars will the next few genarations be yearning for? Very few indeed I imagine, especially from the affordable price ranges where inovation and individualism used to thrive. The industry has never been so desperate to look to the past as it is now, and that is a bad sign.I wish I could believe that it is finally understanding that aggression and ostentation shouldn not be a driving force, but I fear it's more the case that companies feel they can't take any design risks any more, which is death to genuine innovation.
The Prinz was always a neat looking car, and this looks great. Far more interesting to me than pretty much all the production vehicles released recently or lined up for the near future.