Audi made a splash at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show by showing the e-Tron EV concept. The 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit allowed Audi to highlight a newer version of the e-Tron. As the e-Tron premiered at Frankfurt last September, Audi was working on a lighter version of the EV with better handling. Audi representatives at the NAIAS said that the second generation e-Tron’s unique handling system would allow it to handle like a go-kart.
The Audi e-Tron features two electric motors mounted on the rear axle capable of producing 150kW. The e-Tron is powered by a 45kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a projected range of 155 miles. The battery pack can be recharged fully in 11 hours using a 230-volt outlet and 2 hours with a 400-volt outlet. The automaker limited the e-Tron to a maximum speed of 124 miles per hour to extend range. Observers at NAIAS were told that the e-Tron could reach 62 MPH from a dead stop in 5.9 seconds. Audi also stated that this concept EV could accelerate from 37 MPH to 75 MPH in 5.1 seconds.
Visitors to the Audi e-Tron display also learned about a trio of new technologies incorporated into the concept EV. The e-Tron features an Audi Space Frame, which combines fiber-enforced plastic parts with aluminum panels. The result of the Audi Space Frame is a vehicle weighing less than 3,000 pounds. Audi made its aforementioned handling claims based on the Space Frame as well as the relatively even distribution between the front and rear axles. The e-Tron also features a unique climate control system that is programmed to heat the engine in cold weather and cool the engine in hot weather while plugged into an outlet.
The rapid development of the Audi e-Tron shows that the German automaker is learning quickly how to develop green vehicles. The e-Tron display at NAIAS should act as an example to American automakers that typically focus on gimmicks to market clean vehicles. Audi was concerned with appealing to consumers concerned about fuel consumption, vehicle safety and motor power during its presentation. The performance statistics may not match the Tesla Roadster at the moment but Audi is no doubt retooling the e-Tron at present to build on the first two concepts. If Audi can bring the e-Tron to the market in the near future, consumers will finally have choices in the relatively undeveloped EV sports car niche.
