Audi's e-tron goes virtual

The average punter's chances of driving an Audi e-tron are on a par with those chimps' chances of randomly typing out the works of Shakespeare. Theoretically it could happen, but one ought not hold one's breath.

Thank heavens, then, for the virtual world -- the parallel universe where anything and everything can happen on demand. Including, thanks to those PlayStation folk, driving the e-tron, the R8-based all-electric supercar that stole the recent Frankfurt motor show.

Audi has cottoned on to PS3 as an important platform for marketing the formerly rather boring concept of electric motoring to those likely most resistant to it yet who will likely most benefit from it -- young males.

The company has set itself up a spot in the PlayStation Home social gaming matrix called Audi Space, through which it will introduce gamers to the e-tron in December with a game called Vertical Run. It amounts to a high-def virtual test drive of the e-tron.

More than just a first-across-the-line racing game, the multiplayer Vertical Run reflects the motoring priorities of the future. It's all about keeping driving errors to a minimum and collecting electrical energy to maximise speed. Top-notch drivers get to 'live' in the special virtual apartments atop the Audi Space tower in the middle of a virtual city.

PlayStation3 owners can download PlayStation Home onto their consoles for free. If you already have, you can find out more about Vertical Run and Audi Space via Audi tv reports already available in the service's cinema. Audi is planning to roll out more into Audi Space through 2010.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi