[AshSimmonds]

Electric Audi R8

Audi previews electric technology with the R8-style E-tron supercar concept
By Stephen Dobie

Audi has pulled off one of the shocks of the 2009 Frankfurt motor show with this, the E-tron. It’s an electric supercar that bears a pretty strong resemblance to the firm’s R8 sports coupe, and despite its alternative power source, its performance isn’t far off the more conventional car, either.

That’s thanks to four electric motors – two front and two rear, to give the E-tron a novel take on quattro all-wheel drive – which produce a total of 309bhp and 3319lb ft. While the former is over 100bhp off a V8-engined R8, the latter is a stonking ten times bigger than the petrol car’s torque output.

It’s unlikely to hit the road all at once, mind, with torque vectoring used to distribute grunt across the four electric motors and to each wheel as required. This aids the dynamics as well as acting as a safety system. The default power balance sees a 70/30 rearward bias, though, instilling a healthy dose of performance car into the E-tron.

More: http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/241645/electric_audi_r8.html

[Doctor]

Looks good, but why cant they use conventional wheel designs, or at least something that doesnt look like it belongs in robocop...

[jim501]

Don't tell anyone but I reckon it looks better than the R8

[AshSimmonds]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/246139/audi_etron_confirmed_for_production.html#ixzz0ZKrwl3V4

Audi e-tron confirmed for production
By Sam Hardy

Audi confirms Tesla Roadster-rivalling electric supercar will arrive in 2012

Audi has confirmed it will launch a new electric flagship sports car in the next few years. Based on the e-tron concept car, revealed at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the production version will launch at the end of 2012 - in a limited production run of 1,000 models.

Costing more than the R8 supercar, it is expected the showroom-ready e-tron will carry a price tag of around £120,000. Featuring the same lithium-ion battery pack and four electric motors, it will get a new aluminium spaceframe chassis and a lightweight aluminium body, virtually identical to the e-tron concept. What's more the e-tron name will be carried over too - although not in France, where 'etron' is slang for fecal matter.

Development has already started on the newcomer. Project team leader Thomas Krauter told Auto Express: "Apart from some of the dramatic aluminium trim pieces, the exterior will stay the same on the production car. We will manage the aerodynamics with an underfloor tray so there will be no large spoilers and the car will maintain its simple look. Between now and 2012, our acoustic department will create a synthesised 'engine' sound too, but our biggest challenges will be to keep all the electrical systems cool - and also to integrate the latest battery technology."

In other Audi news, the firm has also confirmed its A7 four-door coupe will be unveiled in late 2010, most likely at the Paris Motor Show. Rivalling the BMW 5-Series GT, it will look almost identical to the Sportback concept, but will differ by featuring a Skoda Superb-style twin-door hatchback while in the back there will be the option of two and three seater layouts. UK sales will start toward the end of 2010 with prices kicking off at £40-45,000.

[flamestone]

 

although not in France, where 'etron' is slang for fecal matter

[AshSimmonds]

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/252907/audi_etron_scooped.html#ixzz0qJItazEA

Electric supercar spotted out in the open, confirming a production version is on the way
By Michael Taylor

The silent supercar revolution is here! A production prototype of Audi’s e-tron has been spied testing in Germany just weeks before Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division launches its electric SLS.

The two German powerhouses are in a race to dominate the electric supercar world, and snapped testing not far from home in Bavaria, this mule is as notable for what it doesn't have as what it does.

For starters, there are no air intakes anywhere on the e-tron prototype and it has even blanked off the traditional front and side air intakes of the V8 and V10 R8s on which it is based.

First shown at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi claimed the production version would have a total of 4500Nm of torque from the instant the driver stepped on the throttle – or about six times what the most powerful petrol-engined cars have on offer now.

It achieves that, plus 313hp of power, by having an in-board electric motor driving each wheel and a liquid-cooled, mid-mounted Lithium-Ion battery pack. While Audi claimed the e-tron would have a typical range of just under 155 miles, the concept car used enough torque to blast from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds. Although top speed wil be limited to 125mph when it goes on sale next year.

[M500]

Altough very impressive figures for an electric car, I cant see what all the fuss is about especially when a modern sports car is limited to 125kph. "Fun" rarely starts in a modern sports car environment until well after 125kph.

[mondi]

Altough very impressive figures for an electric car, I cant see what all the fuss is about especially when a modern sports car is limited to 125kph. "Fun" rarely starts in a modern sports car environment until well after 125kph.

Ain't that right, ever tried having Sex in an Esprit???????  Not easy.









And there is your mental image for the rest of the day.   

[Brenton]

Altough very impressive figures for an electric car, I cant see what all the fuss is about especially when a modern sports car is limited to 125kph. "Fun" rarely starts in a modern sports car environment until well after 125kph.

125 MPH
That is 200 KPH and that is plenty fun

[M500]

125 MPH
That is 200 KPH and that is plenty fun

125kph/ mph