Audi A1 e-tron

What‘s it? The A1 e-tron is really a prototype version from the new A1 hatchback and can also probably be awarded it of the very first true 'range extender' electric car. It‘s powered primarily by an electric motor driving the front wheels, powered by a little battery pack. However, once the battery is exhausted, a little Wankel engine (mounted beneath the boot floor ) kicks in and drives a generator, which, consequently, powers the electric motor. Like nearly all electric cars, the A1 has one speed transmission. The mixture of a (three-hour ) full battery charge coming from the household mains, and also the petrol inside the car’s three-gallon tank, gives a claimed 148mpg (1. 9l / 100km ) upon the upcoming EU electric vehicle test cycle. The motor is designed for 60bhp and 111lb ft of torque on the continuous basis, but is proficient at 101bhp and 177lb ft for short bursts. Set up of the typical ICE transmission, the A1 e-tron's nose not just has got the electric motor, but additionally houses a DC / DC inverter, the motor’s electronic control system, a battery charger, a typical 12v battery and also a high voltage air conditioning compressor. Situated inside the rear half the transmission tunnel and beneath the rear seats is that the car’s Sanyo Lithium-Ion battery pack. A relatively modest 12kWh (half the scale battery pack utilized by the Nissan Leaf ) will eliminate the A1 around 31 miles in many normal conditions, arguably enough range for the typical European or US commute. What defines the A1 e-tron really special is that the 'Range Extender generator module'. This is predicated around a little, 245cc, single rotar, Wankel engine. It generates a maximum 20bhp, driving a generator, which provides electricity when the battery is run right all the way down to its lowest charge. The Wankel engine, generator, power electronics, induction and exhaust system happen to be combined into your module that weighs just 65kg and fits beneath the A1's boot floor, without compromising luggage space. There’s even room beneath the floor to the Bose Hi-Fi’s bass booster. The Chevy Volt was trailed by GM being range extender but, in certain high-speed situations, the Volt's engine could be coupled straight to the car’s electric motor. The A1 e-tron, however, is really a true range extender in the engine Isn‘t connected in in whatever way towards the wheels. This completely new drivetrain has not changed the A1 in a significant way. The only real external differences will be the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic roof panel and wheels. When compared with the massively compromised Mini E, the A1 e-tron is in another league. What is it like? Genuinely exceptional. Albeit our test drive was on the circuit, it is a challenge to believe the e-tron Isn‘t showroom ready. Actually, much of development was completed in virtual reality and real-world trials with participants in the general public began in Paris come july 1st. In pure electric mode It‘s swift and quiet and handles very tidily. Regardless of the extra weight from the range extender running gear, the A1 had enough verve to become interesting. Under hard acceleration It‘s satisfyingly quick and impressively noiseless. After a couple of laps from the circuit (that was laid over to imitate town driving ) and a couple of full-bore accelerative runs, I lamented towards the engineer inside the passenger seat that 'I hadn't got the Wankel engine to kick in'. Actually, it had, four times. It was eventually so quiet, so well insulated and thus inherently smooth running I simply hadn’t noticed. Audi claims that further refinement improvements are inside the pipeline. By using the stock automatic gear lever, the driver can select either 'D', 'R', 'N' or 'Range', the latter allowing the engine to chop inside an out during normal driving to assist preserve the battery. Its not all Range Extender systems will certainly be this well integrated or refined, however this system has as being way forward for production electric vehicles. Not just will it completely overcome 'range anxiety' but it is also a lot more cost-effective when compared to a longer range, pure EV. For instance, the money saved by employing a battery half the scale the one inside the Nissan Leaf, is than than price of adding the A1's range extender module. Should I buy one? If you can, I’d recommend it very highly. However you can't. And regardless of the A1 e-tron’s advanced state, it remains a way from offered the green light by Audi's board. Insiders hint the current strategy usually is to first introduce electric motivation on high-end Audi models. That might be an enormous mistake. This A1 is sophisticated and production ready compared to the R8 e-tron, and that is scheduled for small-scale production in 2012. For this limited showing, I'd say it was eventually also better than Chevy's Volt. Of anything Audi has done during the past decade, It‘s probably this exceptional car which best lives as much as the company's 'Vorsprung Durch Technik' mission statement. It really needs to find its way straight into the showroom. Audi A1 e-tronPrice : n / a ; Top speed : 80 mph ; 0-62mph : 10. 2sec ; Economy : 148mpg ; CO2 : 45 g / km ; Engine : Transverse electric motor, rear-mounted Wankel generator ; Power : 101bhp at 5000rpm ; Torque : 177lb ft continuous ; Gearbox : direct drive Audi A1 e-tron