E-tron
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Audi to unveil the 2019 e-tron on September 17th
Audi's first all-electric car, the 2019 e-tron, will make its global debut on September 17th in San Francisco. The automaker will also reveal the price and specifications, and US customers will be able to place a $1,000 deposit to reserve and configure a vehicle from Audi's website on the same day. The new reservation system is a big part of the launch, with Audi creating a Tesla-like process for customers to place and track orders online or with a dealer. The e-tron is expected to arrive in showrooms in the first part of 2019, said Audi.
Audi shows off its electric SUV's screen-filled interior
Audi has been more than happy to show off its e-tron Quattro prototype's outside, but what will it be like if you're taking it for a drive? Wonder no more: the automaker has offered a proper look at the electric SUV's interior. In many ways, it's even more of a technology hub than Audi's modern vehicles. The driver is effectively surrounded by screens -- there's the familiar digital instrument column, but you'll also see two touchscreens in the center stack. This also gives you a good sense of how cameras will substitute for mirrors on some models, as 7-inch OLED displays tucked above the door handles will give you a peek at what's behind you.
Audi delays e-tron launch in the wake of CEO's arrest
Audi's electric SUV, the e-tron Quattro crossover, notable for its optional aerodynamic side cameras and super-fast charging abilities, was supposed to be revealed at the end of August. Just last week, however, the car maker's CEO was arrested over his alleged role in Dieselgate, the scandal over Audi owner Volkswagen's cheats on emissions testing. It's not surprising then that, according to a report at Autoblog, Audi has decided to delay the planned launch of the SUV for an undetermined later date.
Audi's e-tron SUV drives a modest 248 miles per charge
When Audi first trotted out its e-tron SUV concept, it was promising: there was talk of the electric crossover managing 311 miles on a charge, which would put Tesla's Model X to shame. You... might need to dial down your expectations a bit. Audi has revealed that the production version of the e-tron prototype has an estimated range of 248.5 miles on the WLTP driving cycle thanks to its 95kWh battery. That's still very usable for around-the-city driving, but it's only slightly more than the 238 miles of a Chevy Bolt (although that was tested on an EPA cycle). Audi may have an ace up its sleeve, however: fast charging.
Audi Sport's e-tron GT will be based on Porsche's Mission E
Audi's performance Sport division announced that will introduce a four-door high-performance EV as part of Audi and VW's grand electrification plans. The E-Tron GT will be based on the Porsche Mission E platform and built alongside the E-Tron Quattro crossover we saw recently at the Geneva Motor Show. "We will lead our high-performance brand Audi Sport into the electric future with models like this," said Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler. "It proves that electric drive can also deliver high performance."
Audi's all-electric vehicle line will be called the 'E-Tron'
You won't have a tough time remembering the name of Audi's first electric vehicle, not when the automaker says the SUV will simply be called the E-Tron. That's it -- no model designation, no numbers, nothing else. The automaker told Autocar that it's using the tactic it used back in the '80s when it named its all-wheel drive the Quattro. "It is comparable to the first Audi Quattro, which was known simply as the Quattro," Audi chief Rupert Stadler told the publication. "In the long term the name E-Tron will stand for a pure electric driveline structure."
Test-driving Audi's new A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid
Audi built an A3 that gets over 80 miles per gallon in the right conditions. That's the biggest thing you need to know about the new plug-in hybrid A3 e-tron. Yet with hybrids and electric vehicles it's easy to get waylaid by batteries, range and the compromises that come from adding an electric engine to an established platform. But it's that mileage that gets the drivers in the seats of these cars. That, and the sense you're doing your small part for the Earth. Driving this car, you can have style and power with a dollop of the green lifestyle. Oh, and on the freeway, it can eat a Toyota Prius or Chevy Volt for breakfast.
Audi's A3 e-tron starts at $37,900 in the US, rolls out in October
If you live in the States and have been itchin' to get behind the wheel of Audi's new plug-in hybrid, you'll soon be in luck. The A3 e-tron "Sportback" (read: hatchback) will arrive at dealers in the US in October, with prices starting at $37,900 before any incentives or tax credits. It's the auto maker's first plug-in model to be sold Stateside and carries a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine alongside an electric motor for 204 horsepower. Unfortunately, the EPA's fuel economy stats haven't been announced, but you can expect around eight hours of charging time via a standard 120-volt outlet. You can reduce the wait to just over two hours if you're willing to to splurge for a Bosch 240-volt charger. Looking for more add-ons than the base model offers? The Plus model throws in LED headlamps, heated seats and plays nice with your iOS device for $42,000. There's also a Prestige option that starts out at $46,800 with features like an MMI infotainment system, Bang & Olufsen audio and active lane assistance can take the total up near $50,000. [Image credit: Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images]
Audi promises an all-electric SUV in 2018
If you want an all-electric SUV, you don't have many options right now, although Tesla's Model X is on the horizon. Audi will have an answer if you're willing to wait, though. The company's engineering lead, Ulrich Hackenberg, has revealed that the company is planning to launch an electric "sports activity vehicle" in 2018. He didn't say much about it, but he briefly showed a conceptual drawing of the from-scratch design (above) and vowed that it would have a long range of more than 500 kilometers, or 313 miles. Even a Model S P85D is only expected to manage 270 miles, so this might be the EV of choice for taking the family on a drive through the back country.
Audi says an EV with Tesla-like range is coming in 2017 (update)
An all-electric car is in the works at Audi that will rival Tesla's Model S. The car will borrow technology from Audi's made-to-order R8 e-tron, and Audi says it's shooting for a range of 450 kilometers (280 miles), or, roughly in line with the class-leading Model S.
Audi's latest hybrid concept car takes the TT family offroad, with 408HP under the hood
Audi's latest prototype packing an E-Tron hybrid drivetrain is this TT Offroad Concept that takes the TT family beyond the coupes and convertibles we're familiar with. Going on display at the Beijing Motor Show, it combines two electric motors (one on each axle) with a 292HP turbocharged combustion engine to produce up to 408 horsepower total. The concept is even quipped with wireless charging tech, making the "plug-in" hybrid possible to charge simply by parking in the right spot. As a result, despite having all that power available, Audi claims it can average up to 123.8 MPG. As Autoblog points out, it shares a number of characteristics with the Allroad Shooting Brake concept Audi showed off at the Detroit Auto Show a few months ago. According to Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, "it shows how we might imagine a new model in the future TT family." So tell us, are you lusting after yet another E-Tron concept, or hoping Audi goes back to the drawing board on this crossover?
Audi R8 e-tron won't see public sale, will be used for internal evaluation only
It's time to put your dreams of owning Audi's R8 e-tron to bed -- the German automaker won't be shipping the electric car to dealerships, according to a Wired source. The record setting vehicle's sales plans were apparently axed due to driving range concerns and a new focus on plug-in hybrid vehicles. We followed up with a contact of our own, who confirmed that the R8 would be produced only in small numbers, and only for internal use, at that. The R8 may be dead, but its core achievements should appear in future vehicles, we're told -- including its lightweight construction, AMOLED rear-view mirror and battery management system.
Audi R8 e-tron to feature digital AMOLED rear-view mirror
Audi's R18 racing car's been sporting this digital rear-view mirror for some time, and was most recently spotted with it at the renowned LeMans racing competition -- but now the German outfit's bringing the tech to a more consumer-friendly vehicle, the R8 e-tron. The luxurious automobile company announced that gorgeous 7.7-inch reflector is making its way from its speedy R18 to the stunning R8 e-tron, marking the first time any ride outside of the former will come loaded with such feature. In case you weren't aware, the AMOLED rear-view mirror helps automatically reduce headlights glare "during the hours of darkness," while also allowing drivers to dim or turn it off altogether if, you know, they're just not feeling the vibe.
Production R8 e-tron sets lap record at Nürburgring, Audi gains more EV bragging rights
Suffice it to say, Audi's been garnering loads of press these past weeks for its e-tron vehicles. Hot on the heels of its recent, R18 e-tron-led victory at the 24-hour Le Mans, the automaker has set a world-record for production EVs at Germany's Nürburgring. Using an all-electric R8 production model, driver Markus Winkelhock zipped around the 12.92-mile course with a lap time of 8:09.099. For comparison's sake, the fastest lap by a gasoline-powered production car of about seven minutes and 57 12 seconds is currently held by the Gumpert Apollo Sport -- which just-so-happens to use an 700 hp (515 kW) Audi V8 motor. According to Audi, the R8 used is essentially identical to what will be released to the public later this year, featuring two electric motors that pump out 280kW of power and 820Nm of torque. That said, Autoblog notes that its limiter was set to 155 mph (250 kph) -- when you can buy one it'll be set to top out at 125 mph (200 kph). Hit up the press release after the break for all the details. Update: We incorrectly mixed up mph with kph on the max speeds. We've adjusted the numbers.
Audi's e-Tron becomes the first hybrid to win Le Mans, saves the planet at the same time
Audi's R-18 e-Tron diesel-electric hybrid has become the first car of its kind to win the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Audi and Toyota both submitted environmentally friendly racers, but the latter's LMP1 crashed, which left the German automaker to a 1-2 finish (while a pair of non-hybrid racers placed third and fifth, respectively). Unlike battery-based hybrids, the R-18 uses a hefty turbo-diesel V6 pushing power to the back wheels, along with a flywheel to recover braking energy and drive a motor attached to the front wheels. The company has revealed that it's actually testing this far cheaper, battery-free system in a production vehicle, so perhaps it's only a matter of time before you'll be able to go a full day on a tank -- give or take the odd rest stop.
Audi R18 Hybrid spotted in the flesh, sounds as good as it looks
Remember that gorgeous looking R18 hybrid from Audi that raced into our hearts earlier this week? Well, we found this video of it in action. If you can look past the flock of applauding suits, you'll get a sneak-peek at this beast on the track. Sadly we'll have to wait until Le Mans before we can really smell the rubber, but in the meantime, there's a gallery of renders below to keep you going. %Gallery-149377%
Audi goes hybrid and ultralight with R18 Le Mans racers
Generally, when we talk hybrids, we're talking about a car that either powers itself on batteries at low speeds, only firing up the internal combustion engine when a little extra giddy-up is needed, or an electric car that turns the gas-powered piston pusher inside into a glorified power plant. Audi's e-tron quattro is a little different, though. The R18 sports a four-wheel drive system that powers one axle with an electric motor, while the other gets its juice from a 510 hp V6. The e-tron quattro also has a sibling, the Audi R18 Ultra, which seeks to compensate for the added weight of a hybrid drive train by using extremely lightweight materials, like carbon fiber, wherever possible -- including the gearbox. Both cars will be making their debut at the Le Mans 24 Hour on June 16th. For more details check out the PR after the break.
Audi's A3 e-tron gearing up for 2013, should hit 90 miles per charge
You may live your life a quarter-mile at a time, but let's face it -- you still care about the environment. To that end, you've patiently awaited Audi's hybrid Spyder, even with the company playing coy about electric vehicles in general. Its latest tease is a far cry from the aforesaid ghost, but the A3 e-tron -- an entry-level Sportback begging to be modified -- is certainly sexy in its own right. Not exactly Fast and Furious material, given that it needs 11 seconds to reach 60mph and tops out at 90mph, but still -- a pair of lithium-ion batteries should give it 90-mile range per nine-hour charge. We'd take the Roadster S' 165-mile ride if given the choice, but we'll confess to confessing as much prior to consulting our practical side. No hard word on availability or pricing -- the company likely wants it on the streets by 2013, but don't go changing your name to Vin Battery just yet. Or Vin Anything, for that matter.
Audi Auto Union Type C e-tron study puts your pow-pow-Power Wheels to shame
Top speed of 18mph, and a range of 15 miles? Charges in only two hours? No, this isn't the future of transportation we're talking about here, it's a toy. A toy from Audi, of all places. The company has created this electric-powered and half-scale recreation of an Auto Union Type C, grand prix racer of the late 1930s, and done it in e-tron guise, applying the moniker from its grown-up line of EVs, like the luscious e-tron Spyder. This one's intended for kids of all ages -- so long as they're shorter than 5'11'' -- and it will be on display at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. At this point there's no mention of a plan to produce it nor a price if Audi did, but surely it's one of those "if you have to ask" things -- that body is entirely made of carbon fiber, and that stuff doesn't come cheap. %Gallery-114873%
Audi rolls out updated hybrid e-tron Spyder at CES
It's looking rather more polished since it first appeared the Paris Auto Show earlier this year, having been given a lovely coat of red paint (embarrassingly almost exactly the same hue as the Tesla Model S that's here) but keeping the some gorgeous, turbine-styled wheels. It's the Audi e-tron Spyder, a hybrid with a twin-turbo V6 and dual electric motors as well capable of 0 - 60 times of 4.7 seconds, and we thought you might want to see. Still no price or availability, though. Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler also took the time to show off the company's latest MMI system, with its character-recognizing touchpad, and also spoke a little bit about the future -- vaguely, anyway. He refuted our thoughts on the car of the future, replacing the dash with a mobile device, saying that those devices are designed to draw your attention which is, of course, a bad thing while you're driving. However, we can't help but think that there are ways to eliminate that problem with the right software layer. Anyway, we'll be speaking with Stadler a little later today and will be picking his brain a little bit more about this and other topics of the future. %Gallery-113031%
