Audi's electric future

Forget the jaw-dropping looks of the R8-based e-tron supercar, these two new electric cars launched at the Geneva Motor Show represent the real future of Audi. The Audi A8 Hybrid is a thinly disguised production model while the A1 e-tron demonstrates that latest work done by the company on its all-electric future.

The A8 Hybrid is powered by parallel hybrid system that combines the company's 2.0 TFSI with an electric motor giving the car a combined output of 180kW and 480Nm. Audi claims that is enough to propel the A8 Hybrid from 0-100km/h in 7.6secsonds and on to a top speed of 234km/h.

As a full parallel hybrid system (similar to the system employed in the Toyota Prius and Hybrid Camry), the car can be run on either on the petrol engine, electric motor or a combination of both. According to the company the electric motor, coupled with its lithium-ion batteries, can run the car for over two kilometres at speeds up to 60km/h. Thanks to the hybrid system fuel economy for the luxury limousine is reduced to a claimed 6.19L/100km with CO2 emissions of 144g/km.

Although there is no official word when the A8 Hybrid will go into production, Audi has confirmed it will offer a Q5 Hybrid from later this year in Europe, so expect the A8 to follow in 2011.

Audi President Rupert Stadler has made it clear the company will use hybrid simply as a stepping stone to fully electric vehicles.

"We see hybrid as a bridging technology to electrification of the car," Stadler said.

The Audi chief has gone on the record saying he expects the company to offer its first electric vehicle by 2012.

"We want to launch a production e-tron in small volumes at the end of 2012," he said.

But while the company unveiled the A1-based e-tron in Geneva the eventual production model will most likely be a sportscar as part of the company's top-down approach to electric cars.

Making it a sportscar will also help Audi push the performance message of electric technology, while also allowing it to push the envelope more on aerodynamics and weight reduction to maximise the electric powertrain.

The A1 e-tron is the third electric concept from the company following the R8-based version shown in Frankfurt and the smaller model unveiled at the Detroit show. It is also the third variation on the electric powertrain.

This latest version uses a single-rotor Wankel engine to help charge the batteries, the same basic technology used in the Chevrolet Volt. That means the Wankel engine never drives the wheels but operates purely as a range extender for the electric motor.

The electric motor is fitted under the bonnet and is capable of producing 75kW and powering the car for 50km purely on the lithium-ion battery pack. Coupled with the Wankel engine, the A1 e-tron should be able to run for 200km. The range extender is only 254cc in size and runs at 5000rpm constantly to maximise its efficiency and the fuel tank is only 12-litres in size.

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