Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Audi A3 E-Tron plug-in hybrid set to whiz into Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/21/audi-a3-e-tron-plug-in-hybrid-set-to-whiz-into-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/21/audi-a3-e-tron-plug-in-hybrid-set-to-whiz-into-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/21/audi-a3-e-tron-plug-in-hybrid-set-to-whiz-into-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2013 Audi A3 E-tron - front three-quarter view, red

The Audi A3 E-tron, which we drove in prototype form last year, is headed to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next month. The plug-in hybrid will feature a total of 204 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from the combination of a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and a 75-kW electric motor. That motor itself is positioned between the internal combustion engine and the machine's six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The setup is good enough to scoot the A3 E-tron to 62 miles per hour in 7.6 seconds and crank out a top speed of 138 mph. Perhaps more impressively, the hatch can whir its way to 80 mph on all-electric power with an EV range of 31 miles.

Audi claims the A3 E-tron gives the world a "realistic glimpse into the future of mobility," so it's a bit unclear if the model will see production. We're encouraged by the specificity of Audi's press release (which is full of stats) and the fact that they don't label this vehicle a concept. You can check out the full press release below and judge for yourself.

Continue reading Audi A3 E-Tron plug-in hybrid set to whiz into Geneva

Audi A3 E-Tron plug-in hybrid set to whiz into Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 audi a32013 geneva motor showa3 e-tronaudiaudi a3 e-trone-tronetrongeneva motor showThu, 21 Feb 2013 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20471934/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/21/audi-a3-e-tron-plug-in-hybrid-set-to-whiz-into-geneva/20471934/article-detail.xml 20471934 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/audi-a3-e-tron-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/audi-a3-e-tron-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi R8 E-Tron program on hold, facing cancellation? [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/25/audi-r8-e-tron-program-on-hold-facing-cancellation/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/25/audi-r8-e-tron-program-on-hold-facing-cancellation/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/25/audi-r8-e-tron-program-on-hold-facing-cancellation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Audi R8 E-Tron in red on auto show floor

Throughout its brief history - from concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, to production-bound prototype - the Audi R8 E-Tron has promised supercar levels of entertainment in a sexy German wrapper. A prospective range of 150 miles with acceleration on the order of 0-60 in under five seconds suggested a more luxurious rival for the Tesla Roadster, and a challenger for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive at the E-Tron's expected launch in early 2013.

Now it seems like Audi may have slammed on the regenerative brakes, as it were.

Car and Driver reports that the R8 E-Tron plan is on hold, pending a project review ordered by new research and development head, Wolfgang Dürheimer. Concerns about the project include a lack of sufficiently advanced and reasonably inexpensive batteries with which to power the car, as well as a buyer pool sufficiently rich and reasonably motivated to drop big sums on the R8 EV.

The Car and Driver report indicates that the expected launch in the first part of next year is now off the table, and that the entire project faces existential jeopardy.

UPDATE: We were able to speak with a member of Audi's team regarding the fate of the R8 E-Tron, who basically corroborated the earlier Car and Driver report, with a few clarifications. Audi claims that the "initial" run of R8 E-Trons was always meant to be very limited (ten cars), and that those cars were essentially meant to serve as evaluation models for the project as a whole. The discrepancy seems to be in what eventually happens to this first run; first plans indicated that they would end up in public hands, while now Audi states that they are "primarily intended for internal purposes."

On a positive note: While the future of the R8 E-Tron looks pretty cloudy (at least in the pure-EV form), we're told that the A3 E-Tron is still on track for arrival in 2014.

Audi R8 E-Tron program on hold, facing cancellation? [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 audi r8 e-tronaudie-tronelectric caretronevr8Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20361073/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/25/audi-r8-e-tron-program-on-hold-facing-cancellation/20361073/article-detail.xml 20361073 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/01-audi-r8-e-tron-frankfurt-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/01-audi-r8-e-tron-frankfurt-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi bringing digital rearview mirror from racing to production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/audi-bringing-digital-rearview-mirror-from-racing-to-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/audi-bringing-digital-rearview-mirror-from-racing-to-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/audi-bringing-digital-rearview-mirror-from-racing-to-production/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Audi R8 etron digital rearview mirror screen

Audi's digital rearview mirror is officially going from the Le Mans clobbering, race-only Audi R18 to the road-going R8 e-tron (click the image above to enlarge). Lacking a rear window put the R8 e-tron in the same rear-view challenged category as its racing brethren, and so has been provided the same solution.

The 7.7-inch AMOLED screen receives the feed from a tiny camera just a few millimeters across. The screen is dimmable, will automatically reduce the glare from the headlights of cars behind, and can be switched off if the driver just isn't with it. For now, it appears the screen will just display the camera image, but Audi says it's working on adding more information to the display in the future. You can find out more about it in the press release below.

Continue reading Audi bringing digital rearview mirror from racing to production

Audi bringing digital rearview mirror from racing to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amoledaudiaudi r18 e-tron quattroaudi r18 tdiaudi r8 e-tronaudi sportdigital rear-view mirrore-tronetronr18r8 e-tronrear view mirrorrear-view mirrorrearview mirrorThu, 09 Aug 2012 15:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20297246/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/09/audi-bringing-digital-rearview-mirror-from-racing-to-production/20297246/article-detail.xml 20297246 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/audielectrvmirror_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/audielectrvmirror.jpg <![CDATA[Audi R8 E-Tron laps 'Ring in record-setting 8:09, celebrates silently]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/29/audi-r8-e-tron-laps-ring-in-record-setting-8-09-celebrates-sil/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/29/audi-r8-e-tron-laps-ring-in-record-setting-8-09-celebrates-sil/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/29/audi-r8-e-tron-laps-ring-in-record-setting-8-09-celebrates-sil/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Audi R8 E-tron at Nurburgring in front of record lap time billboard

Two months ago, the Audi R8 E-Tron was caught at the Nürburgring, getting its gumption up for what everyone has come to consider The Obligatory Timed Lap of Destiny. The lap has been completed with Markus Winkelhock at the wheel, and the result is a world record for a series production electric car: eight minutes and 9.099 seconds. If you believe in Wikipedia's list of 'Ring lap times, that puts the R8 E-Tron with its 375 horsepower and stupefying torque 25 seconds behind the R8 V10, five seconds adrift of the eight-cylinder R8, and in the same company as the Audi RS4 and previous generation BMW M6.

If we ignore the fact that you can't buy an R8 E-Tron yet, the hot lap car "corresponds in every detail" to the one you will be able to buy at the end of this year. Well, not exactly: customer cars will be speed-limited to 200 kph (125 mph), but for the 'Ring run, the limiter was raised to 250 kph. More practical numbers for civilian jaunts are the 0-to-62 mph time of 4.6 seconds and a 134-mile range when fully charged.

More important to all of us will be the video footage of its triumph, which we hope to see very soon. In the meantime, there's the obligatory press release of destiny below.

Continue reading Audi R8 E-Tron laps 'Ring in record-setting 8:09, celebrates silently

Audi R8 E-Tron laps 'Ring in record-setting 8:09, celebrates silently originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 audi r8 etronaudiaudi r8 e-trone-tronetronmarcus winkelhocknurburgringr8r8 e-tronFri, 29 Jun 2012 09:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20268858/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/29/audi-r8-e-tron-laps-ring-in-record-setting-8-09-celebrates-sil/20268858/article-detail.xml 20268858 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/audir8e-tronring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/audir8e-tronring.jpg <![CDATA[Audi R8 E-Tron test mule does quick but quiet hot laps on Nürburgring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/audi-r8-e-tron-test-mule-does-quick-but-quiet-hot-laps-on-nurbur/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/audi-r8-e-tron-test-mule-does-quick-but-quiet-hot-laps-on-nurbur/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/audi-r8-e-tron-test-mule-does-quick-but-quiet-hot-laps-on-nurbur/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Audi R8 E-Tron caught lapping at the Nürburgring

Imagine you're a spy shooter at the Nürburgring. You've got your ancient Ford Scorpio parked nearby, but you've hoofed it up to the top of a hill in the hopes of getting the perfect angle on the track. Three heavy cameras are strung about your body like you're a contestant in The World's Strongest Man competition. It's early and you are tired. And cold. The morning temperature was in the single digits Celsius, and while you're not exactly sure what that translates to in the Fahrenheit scale, this certainly ain't Miami.

Your job is boring. Boy racers driving all manner of would-be performance cars squeal by, inexpertly holding a line that betrays their inexperience. "Go back to your video games, kids," you think as you nurse your cramped and sore legs. You shift your position and the wait resumes. Sport bikes zip by and the wail hurts your ears. You get up and stretch before resuming your regimen. A momentary break in the traffic causes you to do a mental rehearsal, double-checking your gear.

Then you hear it: The tires, disembodied from the roar of an engine, but creating their own telltale sound. You reach for the camera with the longest lens and barely get it up to your eye as the electric sports car whooshes towards you, followed by the loud rumble of something more internally combusted. The camera is now firing on all cylinders as you expertly track the car's pace for the few seconds it's in your field of vision. A Porsche enters the viewfinder and you exhale, lowering the camera and turning your back to the track.

The Audi R8 E-Tron will take just one lap of the Nürburgring that day, but you were there to capture it. It may not surface again before it goes on sale next year, but you don't care about that. You need to hustle back to the car to download the images, so the world can see what an R8 without exhaust pipes looks like, so the fanboys can obsess about the extra cooling vents in the hood for the batteries and the blacked-out rear window.

You will e-mail the photos across the Continent, across the ocean, back home. You'll get a few bucks deposited in your German bank for your trouble, but that won't happen for a while yet. By then you will have taken more photos and sent more e-mails.

And drank countless lagers. It is still early, but you think of the cliche about it being noon somewhere and head off home. Nobody will be in your favorite expat bar at this time, but you think there must be at least one bottle left in your refrigerator.

Audi R8 E-Tron test mule does quick but quiet hot laps on Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 audi r82014 audi r8 etronaudie-tronetronnürburgringr8r8 e-tronr8 etronspy shotsWed, 25 Apr 2012 16:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20223879/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/25/audi-r8-e-tron-test-mule-does-quick-but-quiet-hot-laps-on-nurbur/20223879/article-detail.xml 20223879 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/audi-etron-lapping-nurburgring-spy-shots-001-opt-1335371641_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/audi-etron-lapping-nurburgring-spy-shots-001-opt-1335371641.jpg <![CDATA[Next Audi A4, Q7 to have e-tron Quattro option]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/next-audi-a4-q7-to-have-e-tron-quattro-option/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/next-audi-a4-q7-to-have-e-tron-quattro-option/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/01/next-audi-a4-q7-to-have-e-tron-quattro-option/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Speaking at Audi's annual press conference earlier today, Rubert Stadler, the automaker's chairman, commented on plans to expand the e-tron line beyond the R8 model due next year.

The push will reportedly include plug-in hybrid versions of both the next-generation A4 and Q7, with the 2014 Audi A3 being the first model out of the gate with a plug-in option.

Another report indicates that the same race technology being pioneered by the recently unveiled R18 e-tron quattro hybrid LeMans prototype will be fitted to the B9 A4, with a pair of electric motors driving the rear wheels (versus the front, on the racer) because of the A4's FWD architecture.

Stadler went on to say that by 2020, Audi will have an e-tron version of each vehicle it offers in every segment, which in all likelihood will be either a pure electric model or some form of hybrid.

Next Audi A4, Q7 to have e-tron Quattro option originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a4audiaudi a4audi e-tronaudi etronaudi q7b7 a4e-tronetronThu, 01 Mar 2012 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20183913/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/01/next-audi-a4-q7-to-have-e-tron-quattro-option/20183913/article-detail.xml 20183913 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/03-audi-a3-e-tron-official-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/03-audi-a3-e-tron-official-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi announces A3 e-tron Electric Vehicle Pilot Program at TED [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/27/audi-announces-a3-e-tron-electric-vehicle-pilot-program-at-ted/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/27/audi-announces-a3-e-tron-electric-vehicle-pilot-program-at-ted/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/27/audi-announces-a3-e-tron-electric-vehicle-pilot-program-at-ted/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi A3 e-tron

Audi has taken to the stage at this year's TED2012 Conference in Long Beach, California to announce its first e-tron pilot program for the U.S.

Audi will be deploying a fleet of all-electric A3 hatchbacks in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Denver later this year to test the hardware underpinning its future electric vehicle efforts. The automaker hasn't announced how many A3 e-trons will be spread across the two states and D.C., but plans to enlist EV beta testers - similar to what BMW has done with the Mini E and 1 Series-based ActiveE - to get real world data on how drivers use their EVs day-to-day.

The A3 e-tron, originally revealed last April, comes packing a 26.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack good for a range of 90 miles, with a 100-kW (around 130 horsepower) motor driving the front wheels and putting out 199 pound-feet of torque. Performance isn't particularly impressive, with the A3 hitting 60 mph in around 11 seconds and topping out at 90 mph. And with a 400-volt rapid-charger, Audi claims the battery pack can be juiced up in around four hours.

Full details, along with a video, are available in the press blast below the fold.

Continue reading Audi announces A3 e-tron Electric Vehicle Pilot Program at TED [w/video]

Audi announces A3 e-tron Electric Vehicle Pilot Program at TED [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3audiaudi a3audi a3 e-tronaudi a3 etrone-tronetronpilot programMon, 27 Feb 2012 15:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20180621/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/27/audi-announces-a3-e-tron-electric-vehicle-pilot-program-at-ted/20180621/article-detail.xml 20180621 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/04-audi-a3-e-tron-official-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/04-audi-a3-e-tron-official-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi e-tron Spyder struts its stuff in Malibu]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/audi-e-tron-spyder-struts-its-stuff-in-malibu/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/audi-e-tron-spyder-struts-its-stuff-in-malibu/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/audi-e-tron-spyder-struts-its-stuff-in-malibu/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

e-tron spyder video

There is a lot to love about the 2014 Audi e-tron Spyder. It's a compact roadster with a torque-happy, twin-turbo diesel V6 mated to two electric motors capable of more instant twist. When we recently took the e-tron Spyder for a spin, we were limited to just 40 miles per hour, but the Four-Ringed automaker tells us that a trip to 62 takes only 4.4 seconds.

And because this Spyder is a green monster, it can travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone. Using a mixture of the diesel and its lithium ion battery, it will consume on average a scant 2.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.

That sounds like a lot of "too good to be true," but Audi promises to be the leader in luxury electric cars by 2020, and a production version of this vehicle is expected for 2014. Hit the jump to watch new footage of the e-tron Spyder in motion. It might not be ready to go on sale, but it at least looks mighty fine on the roads of Malibu, California, near where we drove it.

Continue reading Audi e-tron Spyder struts its stuff in Malibu

Audi e-tron Spyder struts its stuff in Malibu originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audidiesele-trone-tron spyderelectric caretronspydertditwin-turboFri, 21 Oct 2011 19:17:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20086753/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/21/audi-e-tron-spyder-struts-its-stuff-in-malibu/20086753/article-detail.xml 20086753 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/e-tron-spyder-audi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/e-tron-spyder-audi.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Audi e-tron Spyder [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/17/2014-audi-e-tron-spyder-quick-spin-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/17/2014-audi-e-tron-spyder-quick-spin-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/17/2014-audi-e-tron-spyder-quick-spin-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Driving Audi's Futurethink Diesel-Electric Roadster



At last September's Paris Motor Show, we were thrilled to see this very concept car, the Audi e-tron Spyder. The crisp lines of its carbon composite exterior, its tapering side windows, its airflow vents cut in the hood, its almost impossibly clean and sleek interior treatment... all of it spoke strongly without trying too hard.

After the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show debut of the R8-based all-electric e-tron, we then got the surprise of seeing an even smaller one - also called "e-tron" (perhaps to confuse and/or not give too much away regarding the design's important future) at last January's Detroit Auto Show. This second electric car, a hardtop, carried two electric motors pushing the rear wheels (versus the four motors of the R8 e-tron's all-wheel drive, an ongoing programming challenge referred to within Audi as e-Quattro).

The e-tron Spyder, however, is not just a roofless version of that stunning Detroit e-tron coupe, as the model we're driving here comes with an all-new plug-in diesel hybrid-electric drivetrain, and it's 5.1 inches longer with more wheelbase, along with being 1.2 inches wider. On the other hand, the current Audi TT is 4.7 inches longer than the e-tron Spyder, so we're still operating on a very small scale here.

Our time in the driver's seat of the e-tron Spyder was originally set for right after June's 24-Hours of Le Mans, where the car successfully completed a parade lap for the almighty marketing department's sake. Sadly, right as they were loading the car onto a transporter to get it on a plane and out here to SoCal, an incident occurred that left one of the rocker panels of the Spyder pretty beat up. Now that the summer holiday and big Frankfurt show push is done, we've been given another go.

Continue reading 2014 Audi e-tron Spyder [w/video]

2014 Audi e-tron Spyder [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 audi e-tron spyderaudiaudi r4e-quattroe-trone-tron spyderequattroetronetron spyderfeaturedquick spinquickspinMon, 17 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20082703/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/17/2014-audi-e-tron-spyder-quick-spin-review/20082703/article-detail.xml 20082703 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/20-2014-audi-e-tron-spyder-qs-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/20-2014-audi-e-tron-spyder-qs-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Audi A3 e-tron concept debuts in Shanghai [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/19/audi-a3-e-tron-concept-debuts-in-shanghai-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/19/audi-a3-e-tron-concept-debuts-in-shanghai-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/19/audi-a3-e-tron-concept-debuts-in-shanghai-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

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

Audi rolled out yet another e-tron concept alongside the new Q3 in Shanghai, and what it lacks in power, it makes up for with efficiency, fuel economy... and weight.

The original A3 sedan concept that bowed in Geneva came packing a modified version of the TT RS' turbocharged five-cylinder, outputting over 400 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. This etron variant - based on the RS3 hatch - ditches the five-pot in favor of a turbo'd and direct-injected 1.4-liter four-cylinder that brings 211 horsepower to the party, and combined with another 27 ponies pulled from the 20kW electric motor, can propel the A3 etron to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds before topping out at 143 mph.

A seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission is the only drivetrain component carried over from the concept's RS3 roots, but combined with lithium-ion battery pack stored in the trunk, Audi claims the e-tron can putt along for up to 34 miles on electric power alone thanks to the plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The suspension carries over, with a MacPherson design up front and a four-link independent rear end, along with 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245/30 R20 rubber at all four corners. The square setup would indicate that the e-tron is all-wheel-drive, but Audi doesn't give any specifics on how power finds its way to the ground.

The exterior is a dead-ringer for the original A3 concept, albeit e-tronified with a new grille and bumper framed by a carbon fiber-reinforced frame, aluminum hood, trunk and doors. However, the weight savings is largely nullified by the battery weight in the boot, increasing the curb weight to 3,792 - nearly 400 pounds more than the original.

Inside, it's typical concept car flare partnered with Audi's next-generation MMI system complete with a UMTS module to provide wireless internet, WLAN hotspot functionality and Google mapping and POI search.

A toned-down version of the A3 sedan is due to hit the market late next year, and if Audi intends to stick to its electrified roadmap, we could see an e-tron variant arrive by 2013 at the earliest. Full details in the press blast below the fold.


Gallery: Audi A3 etron Concept


[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A3 e-tron concept debuts in Shanghai [w/video]

Audi A3 e-tron concept debuts in Shanghai [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3a3 etronaudiaudi a3 etronaudi a3 etron conceptetronshanghaishanghai 2011shanghai auto showTue, 19 Apr 2011 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19917855/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/19/audi-a3-e-tron-concept-debuts-in-shanghai-w-video/19917855/article-detail.xml 19917855 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/01-audi-a3-etron-concept-shanghai-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/01-audi-a3-etron-concept-shanghai-630op.jpg <![CDATA[First details on Audi's ActiveE-fighting A3 e-tron]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/10/audi-a3-etron/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/10/audi-a3-etron/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/10/audi-a3-etron/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi A3 etron
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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3audiaudi a3 etronaudi electricaudi eve-tronetronSun, 10 Apr 2011 15:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19908367/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/10/audi-a3-etron/19908367/article-detail.xml 19908367 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/01-audi-a3-etron-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/01-audi-a3-etron-630op.jpg <![CDATA[Audi makes a push for solar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/audi-makes-a-push-for-solar/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/audi-makes-a-push-for-solar/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/01/audi-makes-a-push-for-solar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi A1 E-Tron Charging

Audi is rolling out a new solar program for its fledgling fleet of eTron electric vehicles. The German manufacturer is planning to expand the solar panel system at its facility in Ingolstadt so that the electric vehicle's batteries may be charged using clean, renewable energy from the sun. Audi says that by the end of the year, it hopes to cover some 80,730 square feet of the plant's roof with new photovoltaic panels. By the end of the project, Audi says it will have nearly 205,000 square feet of its German manufacturing facility's roof covered with the solar cells. The company says that the new installation alone should produce enough electricity to power 180 homes.

Audi plans to only use about one third of the electricity produced by its solar system directly at the plant, with the juice going to both charge the company's eTron vehicles and assist in the manufacture of other products. The rest of the energy will likely be fed back into the surrounding power grid. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi makes a push for solar

Audi makes a push for solar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A1audiaudi e-tronaudi etronaudi solaraudi solar panelse-tronetronsolarWed, 01 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19738975/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/01/audi-makes-a-push-for-solar/19738975/article-detail.xml 19738975 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/etron-charging-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/etron-charging-630.jpg <![CDATA[20 Audi A1 e-trons hitting the streets of Munich]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/20-audi-a1-etrons-hitting-the-streets-of-munich/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/20-audi-a1-etrons-hitting-the-streets-of-munich/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/20-audi-a1-etrons-hitting-the-streets-of-munich/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Audi A1 Etron
Audi A1 e-tron - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has chosen Munich as its launch pad for the company's new electric vehicle effort. The German manufacturer is planning to roll out 20 of its A1 hatchbacks as part of a research project with the Technical University of Munich. The cars will be powered by an electric motor with the equivalent of around 102 horsepower, which should give the vehicles a top speed of 81 mph. In city driving, a lithium-ion battery pack can keep the electrified A1 going for a total of 31 miles, though past that there's a small Wankel rotary engine on board to recharge the battery packs and keep things moving.

With the help of the small gasoline engine, the A1 e-tron can cover an additional 124 miles for a combined range of 155 miles depending on driving habits. Audi says this set up provides the equivalent of 148.7 mpg, though we're not sure if that imperial or U.S. gallons. Either way, that's a sizable fuel economy number.

A total of 200 electric charging stations have been set up throughout Munich as a part of the program, which is funded by Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport. Hit the jump for the full press release.


Gallery: Audi A1 Etron


[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 20 Audi A1 e-trons hitting the streets of Munich

20 Audi A1 e-trons hitting the streets of Munich originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A1 EtronA1EtronAudiAudi A1Audi A1 EtronAudiA1AudiA1EtronElectric VehicleElectricVehicleEtronEVMunichTue, 14 Sep 2010 18:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19633328/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/14/20-audi-a1-etrons-hitting-the-streets-of-munich/19633328/article-detail.xml 19633328 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/01-etron-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/01-etron-630.jpg <![CDATA[Spy Shots: Audi R8 e-tron hits the road]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/spy-shots-audi-r8-e-tron-hits-the-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/spy-shots-audi-r8-e-tron-hits-the-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/spy-shots-audi-r8-e-tron-hits-the-road/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi surprised the motoring press with its first R8-based e-tron concept back at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show and has since shown off a repainted, slightly modified version in LA and finally a third take on the electric sportscar concept earlier this year in Detroit. We don't expect the German automaker to slow down its march to putting high-powered electric vehicles on the road any time soon, as evidenced by these spy shots of a heavily disguised e-tron roaming the streets in Germany.

At first glance, there's little indication that the car pictured here is anything but a run-of-the-mill (if such a thing exists) R8 with a psychedelic paint job. A closer examination reveals a complete lack of exterior cooling ducts and a blocked-off rear compartment.

There's no indication of what electric powertrain exists in this prototype, but previous concepts have used four individual electric motors with enough power to push the car to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds. Energy storage comes courtesy of a 54kW lithium ion battery pack. Audi is promising to have the e-tron on the roads by 2012 with a limited production run of no more than 1,000 units.

[Source: Autocar]

Spy Shots: Audi R8 e-tron hits the road originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiAudi E-TronAudi e-tron Conceptaudi electric vehicleaudi etronaudi etron conceptaudi evaudi r8AudiE-tronAudiE-tronConceptAudiElectricVehicleAudiEtronAudiEtronConceptAudiEvAudiR8e-tronetronWed, 09 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19508123/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/09/spy-shots-audi-r8-e-tron-hits-the-road/19508123/article-detail.xml 19508123 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/audi-etron-spy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/audi-etron-spy.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Dan Neil drives the Audi eTron, tells Musk and Fisker to watch out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/18/video-dan-neil-drives-the-audi-etron-tells-musk-and-fisker-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/18/video-dan-neil-drives-the-audi-etron-tells-musk-and-fisker-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/18/video-dan-neil-drives-the-audi-etron-tells-musk-and-fisker-to/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dan Neil drives the Audi e-tron - Click above to watch video

The LA Times' Pulitzer Prize-winning auto critic, Dan Neil, had a chance to sample the Audi e-tron while the electric R8 (R8e?) was down in So. Cal. for the LA Auto Show, and he's suitably impressed with the nine-month-old prototype that -- unlike your average concept -- is actually functional.

Not only does it go, stop and turn, the e-tron has a fully functional climate control system, power windows, MMI system and a host of other gadgets on board, making it a rarity in the world of one-off concepts. Granted, it's still just an overly-stylized mule (thankfully, the million-spoke wheels were dispatched in favor of the R8 V10's hoops), but this is less about the driving experience (although Neil raves about the dynamics and power delivery) and more about the world's largest automakers getting into the electric vehicle game.

Neil's primary point is that while Tesla and Fisker are laying the foundation for EV proliferation, automakers like Audi, Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen all have electric whips in the works. Neil contends that the standards set by the major OEMs are what's going to drive EVs into the mainstream and if the e-tron (and the forthcoming electric Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG) are any indication, enthusiasts can have their cake and eat it too. Check out the full write-up and hit the jump for Dan's video review.


Gallery: LA 2009: Orange Audi e-tron


[Source: LA Times]

Continue reading VIDEO: Dan Neil drives the Audi eTron, tells Musk and Fisker to watch out

VIDEO: Dan Neil drives the Audi eTron, tells Musk and Fisker to watch out originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi e-tronaudi etronAudiE-tronAudiEtrondan neildan neil audi e-trondan neil audi etronDanNeilDanNeilAudiE-tronDanNeilAudiEtrone-tronetronvideoFri, 18 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19287082/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/18/video-dan-neil-drives-the-audi-etron-tells-musk-and-fisker-to/19287082/article-detail.xml 19287082 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/etrondanneil_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/etrondanneil_opt.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: Audi twists e-tron concept's 3319 lb-ft torque rating]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/audi-twists-e-tron-3319-lb-ft-torque-rating/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/audi-twists-e-tron-3319-lb-ft-torque-rating/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/audi-twists-e-tron-3319-lb-ft-torque-rating/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

When introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Audi boasted its all-electric e-tron was fitted with four electric motors producing "230 kW (313 horsepower) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 pound-feet) of torque." While the e-tron's styling may have raised a few eyebrows, we were notably moved by the quoted torque figure - especially when we considered that the twin-turbocharged Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, one of the most powerful vehicles on the road, makes 738 lb-ft in comparison. We were stupefied by the number, and it set off more than a few debates among our group, but Audi made no attempt to clarify...

The team at Automobile Magazine, initially duped like everyone else, has recognized that Audi was quoting torque measured at the wheels, not at the output shaft - the industry standard. Measuring torque at the wheels takes the multiplication effect of the transmission and final drive gears into account. The resulting figures are generally ten-fold of what they would be at the crank (meaning cars like a 3.6-liter Chevrolet Malibu packs a similar 3,115 lb-ft of torque). Audi's e-tron torque figures are not exactly dishonest, but they are using a completely different evaluation without making mention of it in the press release. Long story short, Automobile estimates the e-tron makes about 252 lb-ft of torque, or a bit less than the Tesla Roadster's 273 lb-ft.


Gallery: LA 2009: Orange Audi e-tron


Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Audi e-tron concept


[Source: Automobile]

REPORT: Audi twists e-tron concept's 3319 lb-ft torque rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Audiaudi conceptaudi etron conceptaudi torqueAudiConceptAudiEtronConceptAudiTorquee-tronetronetron torqueEtronTorqueoutput shaftOutputShafttorquewheel torqueWheelTorqueThu, 03 Dec 2009 21:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19263910/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/03/audi-twists-e-tron-3319-lb-ft-torque-rating/19263910/article-detail.xml 19263910 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/audi_etron_630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/audi_etron_630.jpg <![CDATA[LA 2009: Audi e-tron, orange you terribly sad it was repainted]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/la-2009-audi-e-tron-orange-we-terribly-sad-it-was-repainted/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/la-2009-audi-e-tron-orange-we-terribly-sad-it-was-repainted/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/02/la-2009-audi-e-tron-orange-we-terribly-sad-it-was-repainted/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

We weren't exactly electrified by Audi's e-tron concept when it debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in blazing red paint this past September, but we did like the color. So, when the e-tron reappeared at the LA Auto Show this week wearing orange... bummer.

As a refresh, the e-tron concept uses four electric motors with a combined output of 313 horsepower (and a mind-boggling 3,319 lb-ft of torque) to move its 3,527-pound mass to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. More impressive is its rolling acceleration from 37-75 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The top speed is electronically-limited to 124 mph. According to Audi, we'll see a production version in 2012.


Gallery: LA 2009: Orange Audi e-tron


[Source: Audi]

Continue reading LA 2009: Audi e-tron, orange you terribly sad it was repainted

LA 2009: Audi e-tron, orange you terribly sad it was repainted originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 la auto show2009LaAutoShowaudiaudi e-tron conceptaudi etronaudi r8AudiE-tronConceptAudiEtronAudiR8auto showAutoShowconcepte-tronetronla 2009la auto showla showla2009laautoshowlashoworange etronOrangeEtronr8Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19262958/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/02/la-2009-audi-e-tron-orange-we-terribly-sad-it-was-repainted/19262958/article-detail.xml 19262958 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/01-audi-etron-live-la-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/01-audi-etron-live-la-630op.jpg -1 2