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Audi is showing an
uncompromising purist compact sports car with all-electric drive at the
first major auto show of 2010. The Detroit showcar Audi e-tron is the
name of this 3.93 metre long and 1.78 metre wide but just 1.22 metre
tall two-seater; just a few months after the debut of the Audi e-tron at
the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, this is now the second electric concept
vehicle from the brand with the four rings.
Coupled with the
Detroit showcar Audi e-tron’s low gross weight of around only 1,350
kilograms, high-torque power units driving the rear wheels guarantee
commensurate road performance. Two electric motors with a combined
output of 204PS and 2,650 Nm (1954.54 lb-ft) accelerate the coupe with
ASF-design aluminium body from 0 to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds. The Audi
e-tron accomplishes the sprint from 37mph to 75mph (60 to 120 km/h) in a
mere 5.1 seconds.
The Detroit showcar
Audi e-tron is able to distribute its electric motors’ high torque
between the wheels entirely as required. Its “torque vectoring” is the
key to a thrilling level of active precision and excellent traction.
Thanks also to its low weight, short wheelbase and perfect weight
distribution for dynamic handling, the Audi e-tron has all the
drivability of a go-kart – agile, good on bends and neutral right up to
the very high handling limit.
Lithium-ion
batteries, located for an optimal centre of gravity behind the passenger
compartment and ahead of the rear axle, make an effective energy content
of 45 kilowatt-hours available. This makes an operating range of up to
155 miles realistically possible.
As previously with
the first e-tron concept car shown in Frankfurt, Audi again bases all
components in this electric vehicle on an integral concept with many
revolutionary details: a heat pump as an efficient means of heating up
and maintaining the interior temperature. The drive system, power
electronics and battery have innovative thermal management – crucial for
maintaining a high operating range coupled with outstanding interior
comfort.
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