Audi’s awesome A1-etron in Geneva Motor Show 2010

Audi A1-etron Front Side

Audi, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen group since 1964, displayed its mass electric vehicle A1-etron concept in Geneva Motor Show.

Rather than relying only on electric power, A1-etron is a hybrid with a range-extending internal combustion engine, a Wankel engine( which uses a rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating piston) married to an electrical generator designed to top up the car’s lithium-ion batteries.

The lithium-ion batteries power an electric motor rated at 102 hp and 240 Nm of torque, which drives the car’s front wheels via a single-speed transmission.

With diverse range of technologies that doesn’t match which each other, Audi had to face many challenges. It has developed a thermal management system where, the power electronics, battery and the electric motor are kept within their respective thermal limits.

Audi has lined up its first e-tron as a low volume sports car, followed by a two-seat sports car and finally A1-etron. Audi, unlike BMW and Mercedes Benz does not focus on the Mega city, environmental friendly option for urban commuting, rather Audi pulls out its customers from the top end to go faster and greener by promoting the performance aspects of electric propulsion–instantaneous torque.

And some figures for auto enthusiasts…

Top Speed: 130 kmph (to preserve battery life)
Miles per gas: 50 km(electric power) and extended range of 200 km(Wankel engine power)
Weight: 1189.7 kg
Acceleration: 0 – 100 kmph in 10.2 seconds (impressive for a hybrid)

Watch out this space for much more concept cars and hybrids.

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