Audi e-tron, the electric sports car

Another of the novelties expected at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2009 was an electric sports car that the German firm Audi announced it would present. This sports car, with a somewhat controversial exterior design, is called the Audi e-tron, and it is a fully electric model. But the best thing about the e-tron is its performance.

It has four electric motors, one on each wheel, powered by a 53 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. In total it develops 313 CV of power, with an impressive torque figure of 4,500 Nm. With this figure we can guess at unusual performance and acceleration, but however, the lack of grip and the weight of 1,600 kg (largely due to the batteries) of the e-tron mean that its performance stays at the level of a normal sports car.

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and goes from 60 km/h to 120 km/h in 4.1 seconds. But the best thing about the e-tron is that, with those performance figures and that torque and power, it consumes nothing and produces no CO2 emissions. Finally, we must talk about range, since the Audi e-tron can travel 248 km on a single charge.

Turning to design, Audi tells us in a lengthy press release that it has been optimised for maximum efficiency, and for example the headlights are all LED type to save energy. But on this concept Audi also shows us its technology, since the headlights include a lighting assistance system that reacts flexibly to any situation, switching from high beam to dipped beam when a vehicle approaches, for example, as well as cornering lights or a more efficient interior climate control system.

Without a doubt Audi has shown its technical potential with the Audi e-tron, as well as its various technologies adapted to the vehicle. We will have to wait and see whether it becomes a production model, since that would be very interesting.

Source | Audi