Audi e-tron (brand)

The Audi e-tron is a series of electric and hybrid cars shown by Audi from 2009 onwards. In 2012 Audi unveiled a plug-in hybrid version, the A3 Sportback e-tron, released to retail customers in Europe in August 2014, and slated for the U.S. in 2015.[1] A decade after the unveiling of the first e-tron concept at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, Audi's first fully electric e-tron SUV went into production in 2019.[2]

This article is about the car family. For the 2018 electric vehicle, see Audi e-tron SUV.

Audi e-tron
TypeDivision
IndustryAutomotive industry
Founded2009
ProductsPlug-in electric vehicles
ParentAudi
WebsiteAudi

The name has also been used on some racing cars.

e-tron Concepts (2009–2013)

e-tron Frankfurt (2009)
See also: Audi R8 etron
Audi e-tron (Frankfurt)

The first e-tron concept car was shown at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany. A two-seater, similar in appearance to the Audi R8 but slightly smaller, is powered by four UQM Technologies motors,[3] providing four-wheel drive. Together, these produce 313 PS (230 kW; 309 hp) and 4,500 N⋅m (3,319.03 lb⋅ft) of torque, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds.

A 470 kg (1,036 lb) 42.4 kWh lithium-ion battery is located in front of the rear axle and provides a range of approximately 248 km (154 mi)[4] with a full charge taking 6–8 hours from a normal household socket. It has ceramic disc brakes as well as regenerative braking.[5] In 2010 Audi began a development program with the objective to manufacture a limited production R8 e-tron.[6][7] The R8 e-tron made a brief appearance in the 2013 Marvel Studios release of Iron Man 3.[8]

After developing 10 prototypes for research and development purposes, in May 2013 Audi decided to cancel production of the electric car due to its limited all-electric range as battery technology had not advanced as quickly as Audi had expected, making the R8 e-tron unviable for series production.[9] In March 2014 Audi revised its decision and announced it will build the R8 e-tron upon request. The carmaker explained that their latest development work resulted in an increased range from 215 km (134 mi) to approximately 450 km (280 mi).[10]

e-tron Detroit showcar (2010)
Audi e-tron (Detroit showcar)

The Audi e-tron Detroit showcar (confusingly, also named "e-tron") includes 2 electric motors driving the rear wheels with a combined output of 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) and 2,650 N⋅m (1,954.54 lb⋅ft) of torque, with lithium-ion batteries behind passenger compartment and ahead of the rear axle, adaptive matrix beam LED headlight modules with clear glass covers, fully automatic light assistance system, Audi Space Frame with doors, lids, sidewalls and roof made of a fiber-reinforced plastic; built-in central display with integrated MMI functions, front axle hydraulic fixed-caliper brake, electrically actuated floating-caliper brakes mounted on the rear axle, heat pump, triangular double wishbones made of forged aluminum components at the front and rear axles, direct rack-and-pinion steering, 19-inch wheels of 35-spoke design, 235/35 front and 255/35 rear tires. The concept car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 5.9 seconds.[11]

The vehicle was unveiled in the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.[12]

A similar production model, based on a future mid-engined automotive platform codenamed 9X1, shared with Porsche and Volkswagen, is reportedly under development.[13]

A1 e-tron (2010)
See also: Audi A1

The Audi A1 e-tron concept car, an electric variant of the Audi A1 production model, was first shown at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The A1 e-tron is a series plug-in hybrid, powered by an electric motor from UQM with a continuous output of 45 kW (61 PS; 60 bhp), and a peak output of 75 kW (102 PS; 101 bhp). A 254 cc Wankel engine is also used to power a 15 kW (20 PS; 20 bhp) range-extending generator.[14]

e-tron Spyder (2010)
Audi e-tron Spyder

Shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, this roadster is a plug-in hybrid powered by a 221 kW (296 bhp) twin-turbo TDI 3.0 L V6 diesel engine driving the rear wheels, plus two electric motors together producing 64 kW (86 bhp) powering the front wheels. Acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) is achieved in 4.4 seconds.[15]

Audi presented the e-tron Spyder in January 2011 at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show, near identical to the Paris show car, but this time painted bright red. The car was advertised with the same performance specifications, including an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).[16]

A3 Sportback e-tron all-electric (2011)

The Audi A3 e-tron is an all-electric car variant of the Audi A3 production model. The A3 e-tron is powered by an electric motor under the hood which sends power from the rear- and mid-mounted battery packs to the front wheels. The 26.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides an optimal range of around 92 mi (148 km), but between 70 to 75 mi (113 to 121 km) in real driving conditions. Top speed is limited to 89 mph (143 km/h).[17]

Audi deployed a fleet of 17 all-electric A3 by mid-2012 as part of a testing program in the U.S. The testing is conducted among Audi's engineers and company employees, and the company has no plans to test the vehicles with customers.[17][18]

A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid (2013-2018, 2020)
Main article: Audi A3 e-tron
Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid

In June 2012 the carmaker confirmed production plans for a plug-in hybrid version of the A3.[17][18][19] The plug-in hybrid concept car was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.[20] The basic powertrain hardware of the Audi A3 e-tron is shared by the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid, but the software controls of each car are different.[21] In May 2013 Audi announced its decision to produce only a plug-in hybrid version, the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron.[22][23] The A3 Sportback e-tron has an 8.8 kWh battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of 50 km (31 mi) on the NEDC cycle, and a total of 940 km (580 mi). The plug-in hybrid can reach a top speed of 220 km/h (140 mph) and can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.6 seconds. According to Audi the car has an average fuel efficiency of 1.25 L/100 km (188 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 35g/km.[22][23]

In September 2013, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi announced that pricing for the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron will start in Germany at €37,000 (US$44578.31).[24] The vehicle is also scheduled to arrive in Australia in early 2015.[25] On 1 August 2014, Audi announced the vehicle is now on sale across Europe at the companies 410 dealerships[25] starting at €37,900 (US$45662.65).[26]

The first 227 vehicles were registered in Germany in August 2014.[27] According to JATO Dynamics, a total of 415 vehicles have been registered worldwide through September 2014,[28] of which, 250 were registered in Germany.[29]

Retail sales were scheduled to begin in the U.S. in early 2015.[1] In an April 2015 video, Audi America president Scott Keogh said the 'price point is going to be around $40,000,' but made no indication if that was before or after tax incentives.[30]

Audi discontinued the A3 PHEV Sportback e-tron in Europe in November 2018.[31] However, the model was briefly re-introduced at the end of 2019 for MY20, now called A3 Sportback 40 e-tron under Audi's new naming scheme. The revised A3 e-tron in the UK featured a different level of specification, losing the previously standard LED headlights but gaining Audi's virtual cockpit as standard. The revised model featured the same battery and drivetrain as before, now rated at 22 miles of electric range under the new WLTP test. [32][33]

R8 e-tron (2015)
Main article: Audi R8 (Type 4S) § R8 e-Tron

The production version of the Audi R8 e-tron was introduced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.[34] The limited production electric sports car was available only in Europe. Fewer than 100 units were sold at the end of production run.[35]

e-tron BEV lineup (2019)

e-tron (2018)
Main article: Audi e-tron (2018)
Audi e-tron is based on the MLB platform.

An SUV simply called 'e-tron' with 328 kilometers (204 miles EPA) range and a 95 kWh battery started production in 2018[36][37] and was first delivered in 2019, with Norway being among the first markets.[38]

The vehicle is sold (delivered) in multiple countries, including the US, Canada and multiple countries in Europe. At the end of September 2019, there were more than 10,000 e-trons registered worldwide.[39][40][41]

Q2L e-tron (2019)
Audi Q2L e-tron is based on the MQB platform.

The Q2L e-tron is an all-electric version of the long-wheelbase variant of the compact SUV Audi Q2, which went into production at the Foshan plant in November 2019 and is sold exclusively in China. Powered by a 38 kWh lithium-ion battery of Chinese supplier Contemporary Amperex Technology, the Q2L e-tron has a range of 265 kilometers (165 miles) on one charge and a top speed of 150 km/h. Its electric motor delivers the maximum power of 100 kW and maximum torque of 290 Nm.[42]

e-tron Sportback (2020)
Main article: Audi e-tron (2018) § Sportback version
Audi e-tron Sportback is based on the MLB platform.

The e-tron Sportback is an all-electric coupé SUV shown first as a concept at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show. It has the same powertrain/battery as the e-tron SUV. Both cars are produced in Brussels, Belgium.[43] As in the e-tron SUV, the battery of the vehicle is liquid-cooled.[44]

The production version was revealed at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. European and American deliveries started in 2020.[45][46]

The 2020 e-tron Sportback has an EPA range of 218 miles (351 km).[47] It is better than in the 2019 e-tron SUV, partially because a larger percentage of the battery capacity is usable. The e-tron's battery management system keeps part of the battery capacity as a buffer, which is not part of the usable capacity; now the size of that buffer was decreased to unlock more usable capacity. This change was introduced in the e-tron SUV during the production run, while in the e-tron Sportback, which entered production later, it was available from the beginning.

e-tron GT (2021)
Main article: Audi e-tron GT
Audi e-tron GT concept is based on the J1 platform.

The e-tron GT is a four-door all-electric grand tourer unveiled at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. It will be built on the same platform as the Porsche Taycan.[48] It is fitted with an 800-volt system, which substantially reduces charging times. The vehicle is driven by two permanently excited synchronous electric motors with a combined power output of 434 kW (582 hp). A 90-kWh lithium-ion battery powers the e-tron GT's electric engines and enables it to travel up to 248.5 miles (400 km) according to the new WLTP standard.[49]

In December, Audi confirmed that the e-tron GT will make an appearance in the 2019 film Avengers: Endgame. Tony Stark drives the e-tron GT in a scene in Endgame.[50]

Production model is announced for 9 February 2021.

Q4 e-tron (2020/2021)
Audi Q4 e-tron concept is based on the MEB platform.

The Q4 e-tron is a four-door all-electric crossover SUV unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. According to the Audi, the use of VW's MEB platform should improve its affordability. The vehicle is planned for 2021.

Q4 Sportback e-tron (2020/2021)

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron is a four-door all-electric coupe crossover unveiled online on 7 July 2020. It will be coming for sale in 2021 along with the Q4 e-tron. Both of these cars will be based on the Volkswagen's MEB platform. The Q4 Sportback e-tron has a drag coefficient of 0.26.[51]

Estimated specs for the Q4 e-tron and the Q4 Sportback e-tron:[51]

  • 82 kWh battery pack capacity
  • 280 miles (450 km) WLTP range
  • AWD dual motor system with 225 kW combined power output
  • 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 s
  • Top speed 180 km/h
  • DC fast charging up to 125 kW

Others

Audi have announced to launch 12 fully electric e-tron models by 2025.[52] Audi considers a sell price level of €100/kWh as suitable for higher-priced cars, but not for cheaper cars made in high volume.[53]

  • Audi A4-sized EV, a sedan based on the PPE platform; planned production 2023[54]
  • Audi PB18 e-tron concept, a mid-engine concept car designed as a radical driving machine for the racetrack and road.

Le Mans Prototype racing cars
Main article: Audi R18

Audi used the e-tron quattro name on some versions of its Audi R18 racing car competing in the Le Mans Prototype class.

The car won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

See also

References
  1. Eric Loveday (25 October 2013). "Audi Announces Early 2015 Launch of A3 Sportback E-tron Plug-In Hybrid in US". InsideEVs. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  2. "Audi e-tron: An illustrated history". Esquire SG. 1 February 2019.
  3. "UQM Selected to Receive $3M DOE Funding to Develop Non-rare-earth Magnet Electric Motors for Vehicle Electrification | UQM News and Events". Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  4. "Frankfurt showcar Audi e-tron". audi.com. Audi. Archived from the original on 1 October 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  5. "Electric Audi R8". Evo. 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  6. Kable, Greg (8 June 2010). "Audi R8 e-tron hits the road". Autocar. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  7. "The Audi e-tron". Audi MediaCenter.
  8. "Iron Man gets an Audi R8 e-tron". 8 March 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  9. Lewis Kingston (28 May 2013). "All-electric Audi R8 e-tron won't go on sale". Autocar. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  10. Eric Loveday (11 March 2014). "280 Mile Audi R8 E-Tron Becomes Reality – Will Be Built "Upon Customer Request"". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  11. "Detroit showcar Audi e-tron". audi.com. Audi. Archived from the original on 1 August 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  12. "The Detroit showcar Audi e-tron shows another variant of an electric vehicle developed by Audi". Audi MediaCenter.
  13. Kacher, Georg (21 July 2010). "Audi R5 e-tron: Finding Mimo". Automobile Magazine. Source Interlink Media. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  14. "Audi A1 e-tron". audi.com. Audi AG. Archived from the original on 31 July 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  15. "Audi e-tron Spyder". audi.com. Audi. Archived from the original on 3 October 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  16. "New Audi e-tron Spyder revealed". Evo. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  17. Lawrence Ulrich (13 June 2012). "Driving the Audi A3 E-tron". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  18. Jim Motavalli (7 June 2012). "In Audi E-tron Program, Pure Electrics Surrender Some Charge to Plug-in Hybrids". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  19. Danny King (9 March 2012). "Audi will sell A3 plug-in in Europe starting in 2014". Autoblog Green. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  20. Zach Bowman (5 March 2013). "Audi A3 E-Tron is a look at battery-operated things to come". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  21. Mike Millikin (13 March 2014). "Volkswagen: e-mobility and sustainability; Part 1, the e-Golf and Golf GTE". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  22. Lewis Kingston (31 May 2013). "Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid to arrive in 2014". Autocar. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  23. Jay Cole (31 May 2013). "Audi Says A3 Sportback e-tron Goes into Production And on Sale THIS Year". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  24. Mike Szostech. "Audi A3 E-tron gets priced for Germany at 37,000 Euros". My Electric Car Forums.
  25. Mike Szostech. "Audi A3 e-Tron Availability". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  26. "A3 Sportback e-tron". Archived from the original on 23 January 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  27. Mark Kane (24 September 2014). "Germany Plug-In Electric Vehicle Sales Report August 2014". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  28. Bertel Schmitt (3 December 2014). "While EV sales rise, JATO counts 4,000 fewer Model S than Tesla". Daily Kanban. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  29. Jose Pontes (15 October 2014). "Germany September 2014". EVSales.com. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  30. Szostech, Michael. "Audi A3 e-Tron Price". MECF. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  31. e-tron, Audi A3 Sportback. "Audi calls time on the A3 e-tron". Motor1.com. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  32. "A3 Sportback e-tron returns - Poole Audi, Poole, Dorset". www.pooleaudi.co.uk. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  33. author, Audi. "Quietly does it". Audi UK. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  34. "2016 Audi R8 e-tron: The Electrified R8 Finally Arrives". Car and Driver. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  35. Meiners, Jens (12 October 2016). "The e-tron Is Gone: Audi Pulls the Plug on Its Electric R8". Car and Driver. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  36. Lambert, Fred (26 December 2016). "10 electric cars coming in the next 3 years". Electrek. Retrieved 26 December 2016. The vehicle is expected to follow the Q6 in 2019-2020)
  37. Lambert, Fred (12 June 2017). "Audi previews new electric car factory: 'Electric motors instead of internal combustion engines, batteries instead of fuel tanks'". Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  38. "Audi opens reservations for its first all-electric vehicle: e-tron quattro". 24 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  39. https://insideevs.com/news/374641/audi-e-tron-sales-us-declining
  40. "Neuzulassungen" (in German). Autohaus. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  41. https://eu-evs.com
  42. "Audi launches first locally built EV". Automotive News. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  43. "Audi e-tron Sportback concept specs, photos, price, offers and incentives". EV Compare.io. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  44. "Audi e-tron® Electric Cars | Audi USA | Audi USA". www.audiusa.com. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  45. https://insideevs.com/news/447169/audi-etron-sales-us-record-q2-2020/
  46. Frank, Michael (19 November 2019). "2020 Audi e-tron Sportback is the A7 of Audi EVs". Car and Driver. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  47. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=42674
  48. Westbrook, Justin T. "The 2020 Audi E-Tron GT: Here's More of Audi's Electric Tesla-Fighter". Jalopnik.
  49. Jolicoeur, Charles (28 November 2018). "LA Auto Show 2018: Audi e-tron GT Concept is Just Plain Crazy".
  50. Markovich, Tony (4 December 2018). "Audi E-Tron GT Concept confirmed for 'Avengers 4'". Autoblog.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  51. Perez, Jeff (7 July 2020). "Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback Concept Debuts With Sleek Looks, 301 HP". Motor1. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  52. "Audi planning 20 new electric models and 12 new SUVs by 2025". Auto Express.
  53. "Neuer Audi Entwicklungs-Vorstand Peter Mertens: "Wir glauben an den Diesel"". auto motor und sport. 21 June 2017.
  54. "Audi A4-Sized Electric Sedan To Ride on Porsche EV Platform". InsideEVs.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.