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Audi A3 E-Tron

Michael Harley — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Audi, First Drives, Electric

Unique Feature Makes This A Very Special EV

The most innovative part of the Audi A3 E-Tron prototype isn't found under the hood or in its battery compartment. Instead, one must sit in the driver's seat and move slightly to the side, then peer at the two smallish steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

On traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, a quick tug on the left paddle shifts the transmission down one gear while the right is used for shifting the gearbox up. However, nearly all battery-electric vehicles (BEV) have but a single-speed transmission. Paddle shifters are completely unnecessary. The engineers at Audi, likely not wanting to leave gaping holes on the back of the trick sporty steering wheel, gave the two plastic flaps a new role - to control the intensiveness of regenerative braking.

It was a game-changing move.

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Audi A3 E-Tron originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First details on Audi's ActiveE-fighting A3 e-tron

Damon Lavrinc — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Audi, Electric

Audi A3 e-tron - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi is ready to take its e-tron vehicle strategy on the road, and one of its first all-electric offerings will come in the form of the A3.

Based on Audi's entry-level hatchback, the A3 e-tron packs an electric motor under the hood which sends power from the rear- and mid-mounted battery packs to the front wheels. Output is rated at 100 kW (just over 130 horsepower) and 199 pound-feet of torque, with the 26.5 kWh lithium-ion batteries providing a range of around 90 miles. The electric A3's performance figures to be far from enthralling, requiring 11 seconds to hit 60 mph and topping out at just 90 mph, but with a 400-volt rapid charger, getting juiced up can take as little as four hours - or as long as nine with a standard 110-volt outlet.

Other modifications include a new gauge cluster, a low consumption HVAC system and a heated windshield, but when the A3 e-tron is set to hit the market is still up in the air. The R8-based flaghip will supposedly go on sale sometime in 2013, but if Audi wants to get in on the EV action sooner - much like BMW is doing with its ActiveE 1 Series - the A3 could be a worthy stop-gap until in the interim.

Gallery: Audi A3 etron

[Source: Autoblog.it]

First details on Audi's ActiveE-fighting A3 e-tron originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi's electric e-tron to get artificial sound

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Audi, Electric

Audi e-tron concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

When cruising at 15.53 miles per hour or slower, an electric car runs virtually silent. Once over that speed, road noise and air moving over the car begin to become prevalent and the car can be "heard" as it travels down the road. That silent running is an intriguing part of the electric car world, but it's problematic, mostly because those speeds are generally reserved for traffic-clogged cities, parking lots and other areas where pedestrian foot traffic meets automotive. If you are hard of hearing, you might not know that an electric car is heading your way as you step out into the street. Audi is working to prevent this, by incorporating an exterior sound system into its e-tron.

A team of acousticians is hard at work behind Ingolstadt's closed doors. Their goal is to develop a sound that reflects the brand's core values. But what does Audi sound like?

According to Christian Schüller, Head of Brand Development/Corporate Identity:

"The obvious approach would be to work on the basis of the familiar sound of a combustion engine. On the other hand, we want to underscore that an electric or hybrid Audi is an innovative product. We also want to make our Vorsprung durch Technik audible in the era of electric mobility."

Dr. Ralf Kunkel, Head of Acoustics at Audi AG, has a different idea:

"The sounds used for space ships in films are reminiscent of car sounds, yet are also very different, making this a rather interesting approach."

Kunkel goes on to say that, although it's unlikely we will see Audis that sound like jets or spaceships, we will hear something unique and "distinctively Audi." He says to picture the Audi RSQ from the film I, Robot and we should get a good idea of what to expect. Follow the jump for the official press blast.

Gallery: Audi e-tron Concept

[Source: Audi]

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Audi's electric e-tron to get artificial sound originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi wants your help designing its future electric vehicles

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Design/Style, Electric

Audi e-tron - Click above for high-res image gallery

So you think you've got what it takes to design an electric car? If so, Audi is interested in hearing from you. The company just kicked off an electric car competition that challenges people to try their hand at designing the cars of tomorrow. The competition is open to anyone with an eye for design who also knows a thing or two about electric cars. Audi officially calls the competition "The Production of Electric Automobiles," and concept ideas are currently being accepted. Unfortunately, the site is in German, making entry a wee bit more difficult, but this translated Google page will help English-only speakers out.

There are a few guidelines that must be followed in order to have chance at winning the contest, but it's pretty simple stuff. Of those who do enter before the July 31st deadline, Audi will select eight finalists to attend a workshop to perfect and resubmit their ideas. The company will then choose an overall winner in November. Bernd Griesbach, an Audi spokesperson for the event, hints at what the company expects from entrants:

We are convinced that we will receive many innovative and creative entries because the competition is a unique opportunity for young employees and potential employees. It is important that the concept can be easily implemented and demonstrates clear progress over the state of the art.

Interested? Give it a try, as there's certainly nothing to lose. If you do well enough, your design might even be implemented in future Audi products and could even land you a spot at the company. How's that for forward momentum? Follow the jump to learn more about the contest. Hat tip to Larzen!

Gallery: Challenge Bibendum: Audi e-Tron

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Audi]

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Audi wants your help designing its future electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: More hybrids, EVs coming from Audi

Michael Harley — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Crossover, Audi, Electric

Audi A8 Hybrid concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Thanks to the Volkswagen Group's strategy to be the leading player in the alternative-powertrain market within the next decade, Audi has announced a rapid expansion of hybrid and electric vehicles over the next few years. The German automaker wants to improve efficiency of its internal combustion engines (both gasoline and diesel) by 30 percent - and it wants five percent of the brand's model line to be electric. "In the future, our customers will be able to choose from an increasingly broad range of driveline technologies," said Audi CEO Rupert Stadler.

Joining the A8 Hybrid sedan, shown in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show, will be the A6 Hybrid arriving on its next-generation platform within the next two years. That will be accompanied by the soon-to-be-launched Q5 Hybrid crossover. Audi intends to brand its "e-tron" name to represent the company's electronic mobility lineup (just like it did with "quattro" - now synonymous with all-wheel drive). Unlike its competitor BMW, which is working on smaller commuter-type urban-based EVs, Audi is engineering its vehicles for a more expensive niche. The new models are expected to debut in 2012.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid Concept

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: More hybrids, EVs coming from Audi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Audi to show electric concept, possibly battery-powered R8?

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi, Electric

With less than two months to go before the start of the Frankfurt Motor Show, the rumor mill is heating up fast. As with other recent shows, electric and alternative drive vehicles are expected to play a big part in Germany. Audi is just one of the automakers that may show off at least a concept powered by batteries and electric motors - the big question is what platform will get the EV treatment. The most probable candidate is a mini-car based off of VW Group's "new small family" platform that was previewed with the 2007 Up! concepts.

There is, however, another long-shot possibility: an electric supercar based off the R8. This is a rumor that first cropped up last spring and was quickly shot down by Audi. However, two weeks ago Mercedes-Benz announced that it would build an electric version of its upcoming SLS gull-wing coupe. Might the cross-country rivals from Ingolstadt have an answer for that eco-friendly supercar up its corporate sleeves?

We checked with our contacts at Audi who would only say it's too early to talk about Frankfurt. If Audi has suddenly reversed course and decided to build a electric R8 concept, it will probably be mostly a styling mock-up rather than a fully functional vehicle. Of course, it's even more likely it just won't happen at all.

[Source: Automobile-magazine.fr]

Frankfurt Preview: Audi to show electric concept, possibly battery-powered R8? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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