Friday 1st October 2010

Paris: Audi E-tron Spyder

Electric Audi goes roofless - and gets a diesel engine to turn it into a hybrid

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Audi has unveiled this e-tron Spyder concept at the Paris motor show, the third of Audi's e-tron concept cars.

This time, however, the e-tron isn't a fully electric proposition. Instead it has a pair of electric motors to provide drive to the front wheels, while the rears get motive power from a mid-mounted 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6.

The power is transmitted via a DSG gearbox, though quite how that will work with the electric drive aspect of the car, we're not quite sure.

We're also told that the e-tron's look will influence the style of future Audi's, though we doubt that the speedster-style windscreen will be appearing on an Audi TT anytime soon...

[teen_cerbera]

Would Look superb if those Horizontal chrome/silver parts were black...

[mylesmcd]

true.

are they still calling it the e-tron? i read somewhere (prob here!) that it was a rude word in france?


Milo

[ShadownINja]

Audi's test driver:

[Brighton Speed]

APOSTROPHE POLICE!!

"We're also told that the e-tron's look will influence the style of future Audi's."

'Audis' is merely a plural and does not need an apostrophe.

[Roberty]

Brighton Speed said:

APOSTROPHE POLICE!!

"We're also told that the e-tron's look will influence the style of future Audi's."

'Audis' is merely a plural and does not need an apostrophe.

Chill Winston!



Make it look like the i-robot car or the R-8 but not something in between.

[wid77]

APOSTROPHE POLICE!!

"We're also told that the e-tron's look will influence the style of future Audi's."

'Audis' is merely a plural and does not need an apostrophe.

[SAndals]

Stunning!

[McAndy]

"We're also told that the e-tron's look will influence the style of future Audi's..."

Is it just me, or does it not look pretty similar to the current range (particularly R8), and thus they are in fact influencing the style of future Audis? If it was a big change the phrase wouldn't grate on me, as it is, it appears to be an evolution and I'm feeling hungry and grump at this point in time!

[Driller]

mylesmcd said:

true.

are they still calling it the e-tron? i read somewhere (prob here!) that it was a rude word in france?


Milo

Yes, etron means "turd" in French.

By the look of it, it is rather well named.

[geoffracing]

Driller said:

mylesmcd said:

true.
are they still calling it the e-tron? i read somewhere (prob here!) that it was a rude word in france?

Milo

Yes, etron means "turd" in French.
By the look of it, it is rather well named.

I quite agree.
It is hideous, like all the latest Audis (without apostrophe!) and keeps its stupid name.
"étron" is an old fashion word for "turd" (or... "merde"!); it isn't ever used anymore.

I cannot understand how Audis had become perfect in design, and are getting worse and worse now... From the front they look nasty as well as circus-style illuminated. Not for me, Danke.

[GKP]

[ctallchris]

Fail.

tailwind + traffic light = realisation that open top diesils smell like satans arse.

The electric might just save us from germans adding a special brand of misery to brittish roads.

[FishFace]

I love the wheels. They remind me of the Merc SLR wheels which are my favorite.

[cml]

Go away please and come back when you've got a proper engine.

[TheOrangePeril]

Stunning, Audi's best looking mid engined interpretation of recent years. Would rather have this than an R8 Spyder anyday

[Porsche997C4S]

Very nice looking.

[blearyeyedboy]

ctallchris said:

Fail.

tailwind + traffic light = realisation that open top diesils smell like satans arse.

The electric might just save us from germans adding a special brand of misery to brittish roads.

You forgot part of the equation.

+ stop start tech = you'll never smell it and won't suffer the indignity of diesel clatter as you pose at the lights.

I reckon it's a good way of making diesel/electric work in a sports car. Looks aren't my cup of tea, but that's just personal taste and I'm sure it'd sell well.

[soad]

Nice looking but diesel doesn't appeal to me...it just doesn't - it being convertible and all

Edited by soad on Friday 1st October 17:55

[tomedian]

BUT..what is the orange car in the background? I might order the current A4, but not if the rebirth model is soon due??? Clues anyone???

[ptopman]

tomedian said:

BUT..what is the orange car in the background? I might order the current A4, but not if the rebirth model is soon due??? Clues anyone???

A1.