Yesterday the Audi A1 electric for the 2010 Geneva Motor Show was a possibility, we now know that the A1 E-Tron is definitely Audi’s “surprise” for the show. Appearing alongside the new compact A1, the A1 E-Tron is the third in the E-Tron family to be produced. It uses the same kind of range extending, generator technology we’ve been seeing lately (for example on the Opel Ampera), with the capacity to run on electric power, using a combustion engine as generator.

The Wankel fuel engine is a rotary motor which produces power for the electric motor, of about 102 hp. Overall, 105 Nm of torque are produced continuously with peak torque at 240 Nm. The electric motor is powered by a 12 kW lithium ion battery pack stored under the floor and weighing about 150 kg. The range of the A1 in all-electric mode is about 50 km.

Some high-tech features are included on the model, with the GPS navigator coming into play. Audi claims that on programming a destination into the navigator, the A1 E-Tron will automatically choose the most efficient way to generate the engine. The range extender can also be switched on manually.

Overall the car weighs 1,190 kg and can accelerate to 100 km/hr in 10.2 seconds. It has a top speed of 130 km/hr, all of which make this A1 electric strictly a city vehicle, although with a total range of 250 km, longer urban commuting could be achieved. What will be interesting to see in the future is which, if any, of this family of E-Trons will become a production model. If Audi is serious about electric cars, the A1 could be just the kind of premium compact city electric that could be successful. We’ll bring you live pics of the Audi A1 E-Tron from the Geneva show, and to read more about the car, have a look at the press release after the jump.

Continue reading: Audi A1 E-Tron confirmed for Geneva show

The new Audi A1 premium compact will be present at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, but a rumour has emerged that we could see an A1 electric model, too. In Audi’s press invitations for the show, we learn that the new A1 will be presented by Justin Timberlake, the RS5 will also be on show, and the A8 hybrid, and that a “surprise” is also in the works.

The idea for an A1 electric has come from an analysis of the recent presentations of the Audi E-Tron, when we first saw the E-Tron as an R8 electric version at last year’s Geneva show. The next E-Tron presented was a smaller model labelled as the fore-runner to the R4, while now bets are we could see a third E-Tron based on the A1 platform.

Whether this is a logical conclusion or not, you can decide, but with only a few days to go before the 2010 Geneva show kicks off, we won’t have long to wait to find out what this new Audi surprise is.

Source | LeBuzzAuto

Continue reading: Audi A1 electric E-Tron to appear at Geneva?

The Audi R4 will be based on the Audi E-Tron presented at the NAIAS Detroi Auto Show, and will be the next couple sports model placed between the TT and the R8 in the Audi line-up. That’s not to indicate, though, that it will be like the original E-Tron seen at the Frankfurt motor show, as it will have quite a different body shape rather than being a modified version of the R8.

The Audi R4 will be equipped with both four and six cylinder TFSI engines combined with electric motors. The batteries located directly behind the cabin should guarantee better weight distribution than the original E-Tron, but will still remain faithful to the technical philosophy of four electric motors per wheel.

According to reports from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Audi could also extend the ‘E-Tron’ name to include a full range of electric vehicles, without differentiating among segments. This would follow the history of the ‘Quattro’ name in the 1980’s, and would create greater identity for this kid on the block.

Continue reading: Audi R4 based on E-Tron from Detroit

The Audi E-Tron test drive by the Los Angeles Times is seen in this video, although it’s unlikely to tell you anything you didn’t already know. We don’t get an idea of what it feels like to actually drive the E-Tron, and the torque figures quoted are likely to be those of the wheels, and not the output shaft, which has created some controversy.

The driver of this test, Dan Neil, gives us some insight into what kind of car the E-Tron is like in his written article. He says:

Like all electric cars, the batteries are the biggest concern. The e-tron uses a lithium-ion pack sourced from Sanyo with a total capacity of 53 kWh, but only about 43 kWh is usable storage. Max discharge is a healthy 230 amps. According to Krauter, the car will have two settings for regenerative braking, one normal and one sporty — which is to say, you lift off the gas and the aggressive regen will instantly slow the car down as if it had piled into a load of sand. No coasting.

Continue reading: Audi E-Tron test drive video

The Audi E-Tron has appeared at the LA auto show in a new orange tint, with serious controversy ensuing. The guys at Autoblog.com said they weren’t blown away by the E-Tron in the first place, but at least they liked the colour. Now that Audi has changed that as well…. At least we can say the attempt to grab our attention has worked. For E-Tron pics from the Frankfurt show, see the original gallery.

In more news on the E-Tron, the original torque figure quoted as 4,500 Nm is actually that of torque measured at the wheels, not the output shaft. Estimates are that if the E-Tron torque were to be measured at the output shaft, we’re talking about 340 Nm. Audi still hasn’t clarified, though, so we don’t know the exact figure.

Audi E-Tron in orange

Source | Autoblog.com

Continue reading: Audi E-Tron torque figures and new look orange

Here is a preview rendering of what the Audi R4 E-Tron production electric sports car might look like, but in a targa-topped roadster version. The E-Tron was presented to much acclaim at the Frankfurt motor show, and interest was sparked as to if and when Audi would put it into production.

Petrol-engined versions of the R4 may also emerge, in what would be a smaller coupé version of the R8, that would be placed between it and the TT in the Audi range.

The E-Tron impressed with its electric powertrain, and the R4 chassis could be based on the next-generation Boxster and Cayman. The top-of-the-range R4 will be an all-electric version, with petrol versions next in the line-up.

Audi R4 E-tron renderings

Source | AutoExpress

Continue reading: Audi R4: E-Tron production renderings

The Audi E-Tron will go into production, according to an interview with Audi America president Johan de Nysschen. An electric vehicle based on the E-Tron will appear in the US in two to three years time, and hear’s hoping it will take on the Quattro technology in electronic form.

Like the E-Tron concept, based originally on the R8, this would involve an electric motor on each of the four wheels, producing 313 hp and 4,500 Nm of torque. It will not be the first electric technology from Audi to reach the market, with the Q5 hybrid crossover set to appear in 2011. I really wanted to write, bring it on! in the first sentence, as that is, frankly, our sentiment over here regarding a production version of the exciting E-Tron concept.

Source | Autoweek

Continue reading: Audi E-Tron to enter production

The Audi E-Tron and R8 Spider debuts have taken place at the Audi stand at the Frankfurt motor show. On display were also the A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback, and additional announcements were made regarding the Q5 Hybrid, A4 Flexible Fuel and Clean Diesel technology. The Audi A3 with new 1.2-litre TSI engine is also present, along with original sports accessories displayed on a very aggressive Audi TT.

Curiosity regarding the E-Tron has been satisfied, with news that the electric sports car is driven by four electric motors, one for each wheel, and hence is equipped with Quattro or all-wheel drive. The overall power is 313 hp and 450 Nm of torque, enough to reach 100 km/hr in 4.8 seconds with a maximum speed of 200 km/hr. The lithium ion batteries are developed by Sanyo and have a range of 248 km. Recharge can occur in six to eight hours with 230 V, while the high voltage system reduces that time to 2.5 hours.

The overall weight of the Audi E-Tron is 1,600 kg, and the liquid-cooled batteries are located behind the cabin area and weigh 470 kg. Driving performance and handling is guaranteed with a 42 to 59 percent front-rear weight ratio.

Audi live pics from Frankfurt

Continue reading: Audi E-Tron and R8 Spider pics from Frankfurt motor show

The Audi E-Tron supercar concept is to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, and the gallery below shows E-Tron leaked pics. It will be very much a German party with the BMW EfficientDyanmics Concept and, of course, the SLS AMG Gullwing also on display.

While looking similar to an Audi R8, the E-Tron has some different features on the front, and the interior also showcases new technology in a driver-oriented experience with two console screens. Apart from these leaked pics, Audi has not released any information whatsoever, and it’s unknown even whether the e-Tron is a fully electric or hybrid coupe.

Either way it’s likely to be a competitor for both BMW and Mercedes and we only have to wait the coming days of the Frankfurt Show and all will be revealed. At least, that’s what we’re hoping.

Audi E-Tron concept leaked

Source | World Car Fans

Continue reading: Audi E-Tron concept pics leaked

Audi has released these viral videos as a teaser to the Frankfurt show premiere of its new electric car. While the videos show nothing of the car, they’re a lot of fun and are about introducing the theme of “untamed” electricity.

The Audi electric concept car to be presented at Frankfurt will be a kind of coupe electric R8 and is clearly competing with the launch of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept. See the dedicated Audi E-Tron site for more details.

Continue reading: Audi E-Tron teaser videos: electric R8 to be presented at Frankfurt