Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Sexiest Audi e-tron

 Audi is serious about EVs. Over the last four months, the four-ringed automaker has put out three (well, really 2.5) electric vehicle concepts: the first e-tron in Frankfurt, a repainted, slightly modified version in LA, and now this, the third e-tron – easily the best iteration to date.

Slightly shorter yet just as wide as its predecessors, the Motown e-tron is a refined version of the concepts that came before it, with two electric motors driving the rear wheels and putting out a total of 204 horsepower and 1,955 pound-feet of torque (through some creative mathematics).


Comprised of an aluminum spaceframe coupled with a smattering of carbon fiber bodywork, the e-tron tips the scales at 2,976 pounds – split 40:60 and 550 pounds less than the previous concepts. With its reduced weight, more refined packaging and reworked drivetrain, the e-tron hits 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and – more tellingly – dispatches the run from 37 to 75 in 5.1 seconds. Audi claims the e-tron can run on a single charge for 155 miles after topping up from a 230-volt socket for 11 hours.

Along with a reworked interior, a new heat pump is employed to boost efficiency and adaptive headlamps modify their brightness and direction based on weather and steering input.

Audi restated that a production version of the e-tron will go on sale in late 2012, and this most recent concept is a clearer indication of what we'll see on the road in two year's time. Not only that, but Audi insists that the name "e-tron" will be a brand within the brand – like Quattro is today – and that means more e-tron-equipped models are most definitely in our future. Make the jump for all the details.

Gallery:


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