With an all-electric version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG officially in the production pipeline, Audi has given the production nod to its e-tron electric concept. The Audi e-tron concept made its world debut at last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
According to Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen, the production version of the e-tron concept will arrive is U.S. dealerships by 2012, but could find its way to the showroom floor as early as 2011. “I expect we will see running examples in the next 24 months,” de Nysschen told Automotive News.
Although visually similar to Audi’s R8 supercar, the e-tron is actually 6.5 inches shorter than the R8. At 168 inches in length, the e-tron is slightly larger than the TT sports car.
Power for the e-tron show car is provided by four electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack. Thanks to a whopping 3,319 lb-ft of torque, Audi claims the e-tron can scoot from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, all while providing an all-electric range of 158 miles.
No word on e-tron pricing from Audi, be we suspect the production car will carry a price tag well into the six-figure range.
10/05, 12:50 PM
posted by:
arena
Oh shut up, no it didn’t.
10/05, 1:13 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
sweeeet! bring it here quick!
10/05, 1:24 PM
posted by:
golfpunk001
I can’t think of a betterlooking golf cart! Outstanding!
10/05, 1:51 PM
posted by:
lemonade
Only an “idiot” would buy an electric vehicle
; )
10/05, 2:27 PM
posted by:
Elvacano
you think there will be enough idiots to buy one?
10/05, 2:38 PM
posted by:
Borat
^^^ Don’t underestimate amount of rich idiots!
10/05, 2:40 PM
posted by:
Elvacano
Borat, that’s a good point.
10/05, 2:41 PM
posted by:
status
I’m sure this will be a hot seller in France! Audi really goofed on the name of this one.
10/05, 3:02 PM
posted by:
Borat
status, actually 6 figure price tag will protect France from large number of those. There aren’t that many rich Frenchman in France.
10/05, 3:09 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Borat, makes sense. If I was French and had money I’d leave to.
10/05, 3:10 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
not idiots, but “intellectual elitists”
10/05, 3:15 PM
posted by:
status
you missed the joke…
10/05, 3:19 PM
posted by:
A4
^Borat has the brain capacity of a toddler, if you haven’t noticed.
Nice to see Audi can put an electric concept that just showed itself a month ago into production around the same time as the Volt.
10/05, 5:26 PM
posted by:
aesir
It’s all good, France exports it women in trade for rich men. I’m sure there will be enough buyers to cover the market.
10/05, 6:44 PM
posted by:
xcatchmyshadowx
this is the beginning of the end of naturally good sounding sportscars.
10/05, 8:50 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
xcatchmyshadowx,
New kind of Spam,
You’re visitor number 100,000th to this page, you’ve won a free engine tone for any eletric Audi external speakers.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10/05, 9:19 PM
posted by:
jdasch1
Why is someone who can afford this car an “idiot”?? I like this car better than a the Tesla simply because it has AWD and the dealer network is huge. Can’t wait to drive one….maybe I will buy one and become one of those “idiots”. I already own several electric vehicles and drive them all the time so I guess according to “lemonade” I’m already an idiot” Namecalling won’t get you anywhere.
10/05, 9:54 PM
posted by:
aggie531
Rafa
And the engine tone options are A Corolla engine, or a Cobalt engine!!
10/05, 10:22 PM
posted by:
Samintosh
Finally, somebody is thinking out of the box and bringing an electric super car
10/05, 10:59 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
jdasch1, the idiot comment is in reference to this: http://www.leftlanenews.com/audi-president-labels-chevrolet-volt-as-a-car-for-idiots.html
so don’t take it too literally…
10/05, 11:43 PM
posted by:
reedfast
at 3319 lb ft of torque, i’m beginning to question whether this could fit into the q7. There would be a good suv
10/06, 4:16 AM
posted by:
Hyperion
3,319 lb-ft of torque??? Is that a typo?
10/06, 8:04 PM
posted by:
worst 3
no 3,319 lb-ft is correct i believe i have seen it in a few places and that why locomotives and ships use electric motors to move connected to generators.
but yes 3319 is absurd and completely useless in a car like this.
and is why hybrid pickup truks will be inevitable and a good thing when done right.
still want my gas powered sports car though.