Audi is serious about EVs. Over the last four months, the four-ringed automaker has put out three (well, really 2.5) electric vehicle concepts: the first e-tron in Frankfurt, a repainted, slightly modified version in LA, and now this, the third e-tron – easily the best iteration to date.

Slightly shorter yet just as wide as its predecessors, the Motown e-tron is a refined version of the concepts that came before it, with electric motors driving each wheel and putting out a total of 204 horsepower and 1,955 pound-feet of torque (through some creative mathematics).

Comprised of an aluminum spaceframe coupled with a smattering of carbon fiber bodywork, the e-tron tips the scales at 2,976 pounds (550 pounds less than the previous concepts). With its reduced weight, more refined packaging and reworked drivetrain, the e-tron hits 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and – more tellingly – dispatches the run from 37 to 75 in 5.1 seconds. Audi claims the e-tron can run on a single charge for 155 miles after topping up from a 230-volt socket for 11 hours.

Along with a reworked interior, a new heat pump to boost efficiency and adaptive headlamps that modify their brightness and direction based on weather and steering input. Naturally, Quattro is part of the package, with the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system splitting the power 40:60 front-to-rear.

Audi restated that a production version of the e-tron will go on sale in late 2012, and this most recent concept is a clearer indication of what we'll see on the road in two year's time. Not only that, but Audi insists that the name "e-tron" will be a brand within the brand – like Quattro is today – and that means more e-tron-equipped models are most definitely in our future. Make the jump for all the details.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/d...r-drei-w-video

 

Good tech. Nice shape. Nasty looking wheels.

 

The design and aerodynamics look great.. Can't wait to see these on the road..

 

Nice sleek small coupe. Maybe needs a custom wheel cleaning system.

 

my thoughts exactly - I'd like to see a photoshop with R8 wheels

 

reminds me of a 350z and a audi r8 having sex and pooping out a kid

 

LOVE IT. Wonder how much they're gonna ask for it though. Honestly it doesn't look like it's worth any more than 50k, in which case it would probably eat a lot of sales from the TT.

 

looks promising.

 

And I thought that my rims sucked to clean

 

Audi is actually using some of the e-tron's technology into the up-coming Q5 Hybrid which is coming out next year. It should be interesting to see what new technology Audi brings to the table.

 

Clean lines but those wheels gotta go.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/12/d...production-r4/

Low 30k's, sign me up