Audi e-Tron

With the world still not entirely convinced about alternative fuels, Audi released its first real effort with regard to a car exclusively powered by batteries, the e-Tron concept, at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Along with the biggest benefit of no fuel-dependency, the e-Tron boasts instant maximum power and zero exhaust emissions.

The front of the e-Tron is dominated by the brand's trademark single-frame grille, flanked by two large air intakes. The top of the grille merges into the flat strips of the adaptive matrix beam headlamp modules and high-efficiency LED technology is used for all lighting units.
The interior boasts reduced clutter thanks to minimalist architecture, controls and a flow of information so that only the bare essentials are provided to create a neat overall impression. Lightweight materials were also used in the construction of the interior.

The e-Tron's body appears monolithic, especially so at the rear, where the only visible panel is the engine cover. Despite the solid appearance, Audi has optimised the e-Tron's lightweight construction thanks to Audi Space Frame technology, with additional panels such as those used for the doors, covers, sidewalls and roof are made of a fibre-reinforced plastic.

With a facia designed to create the illusion that it is floating, designers have created particularly narrow centre tunnel and centre console, with a flush-fitting gear selector that emerges from the tunnel so that the driver may choose between forward, reverse and neutral.
The e-Tron's headlamps are the core of a fully automatic light assistance system that reacts flexibly to any situation. The new technology analyses current weather conditions and adapts the illumination to rain or fog. At the heart of the light assistance system is a camera that works together with a fast computer to detect oncoming traffic, recognise lanes and measure visibility to adjust illumination.

Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, the driver faces a large fold-out central display with integrated MMI functions flanked by two round dials. The MMI is controlled via a touch-sensitive scroll pad surface on the flat-bottomed steering wheel. While an analogue speedometer on the right provides speed information, the instrument on the left informs the driver of the amount of power being drawn. The central display presents all key information from the infotainment and navigation systems.

The e-Tron manages maximum aerodynamic efficiency by means of flaps that open and close over the air intakes up front and those situated in the rear fenders. Although the e-Tron already boasts a remarkable low drag coefficient, Audi claims it is vastly improved when the flaps are closed.

Audi engineers are hard at work trying to complete development of a prototype information processing system that will usher in a new era of safety and traffic management. Each vehicle will be fitted with specially-developed transmitters, including those for efficiency and range, which analyses external factors that influence energy consumption and provides the driver with the appropriate driving style to recuperate the battery, and another for safety, so that if a vehicle has spun out it informs on-coming cars of the vehicle's exact position via sat-nav screens and monitors. One is even able to provide the driver with an available parking bay in a crowded shopping centre parking lot.

The e-Tron is powered by four electric engines. Two are located behind the rear axle with their own cooling systems, while two are situated on the front axle for a 42:58 distribution of weight. The four engines boast a combined 230 kW, which Audi claims propels the e-Tron from zero to 100 km/h in 4,8 seconds and from 60 to 120 km/h in 4,1 seconds. The e-Tron's top speed has been limited to 200 km/h, with a range of approximately 248 km on a full charge.

Measuring 1 990 mm wide, 4 260 mm long and 1 230 mm, with a wheelbase of 2 600 mm, the e-Tron tips the scales at 1 600 kg. It's cabin is shifted far forward toward the front axle so that more room for the 470 kg lithium-ion battery unit, inverter and other electronic control units is created. Hidden behind its unique 19-inch wheels are a set of four carbon ceramic brake discs, retarded by a hydraulic fixed-calipers up front and floating calipers at the rear.