Audi Q8 e-tron Slated for 2017 Debut

Originally published Gas2 by Christopher DeMorro

EV Sales. The Audi Q8 E-Tron is rumoured to be set for a 2017 release.

While everybody was talking about the Tesla Model S in 2013, 2014 is supposed to be the year of the Tesla Model X SUV.

But Tesla may see its thunder stolen by the Audi Q8 e-tron, a planned all-electric SUV with a sporty flair and a real-world driving range of some 370 miles. Just don’t expect to see this wunder-SUV before 2017.

That gives Elon Musk a full three-year head start to get the Tesla Model X out of the factory and into customers hands, but don’t expect Audi to just roll over. Tesla has taken a bite out of luxury car sales in some key markets, while proving both the viability and desirability of electric cars.

So how can Audi compete?

The formula is surprisingly simple. According to AutoCar’s report, the planned Audi Q8 e-tron could borrow the 376 horsepower electric drivetrain of the upcoming Audi R8 e-tron supercar. The Audi R8 e-tron, if you recall, was cancelled before being saved by new battery technology that doubled the range to more than 250 miles.

The more-practical Audi Q8 e-tron, meanwhile, could see up to 370 miles of driving range, if AutoCar is to be believed. As far as what it will look like, I imagine Audi designers will borrow heavily from the recently-revealed Audi Allroad.

Like the R8, the Q8 will see the electric motors powering the rear wheels, and the battery pack should be at least 80 kWh if not larger to deliver the kind of range talked about here. By 2017, battery technology will be even further refined, and that kind of range should be totally doable. Tesla may have to keep a closer eye on Audi.

Then again, the Tesla Model X will have a huge head start in the electric luxury SUV market, and by the time the Audi Q8 e-tron rolls out, most people should be talking about the Tesla Model E, which is also slated for a 2017 debut.

Elon Musk seems to have ruffled some feathers over at Audi though, and ze Germans have built a reputation for biding zeir time.

Source: AutoCar

This article, Audi Q8 e-tron: Competitor To The Model X?, is syndicated from Clean Technica and is posted here with permission.

About the Author

Christopher DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMI’s. When he isn’t wrenching or writing, he’s running, because he’s one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.

Audi R8 e-tron – Just one signature away from production

Originally published on Gas2 by Christopher DeMorro

The Audi R8 e-tron supercar runs a lap at Nurburgring, which has been called the most challenging race track in the world, and is located near Nuremburg, Germany.

The saga of the Audi R8 e-tron stretches all the way back to the 2009 and now all the Audi R8 e-tron needs is a signature to make it to production. Since the first e-tron concept debuted in 2009, a production-intent version has set Nurburgring records, been cancelled, and made a comeback thanks to new battery chemistry. Now, all the Audi R8 e-tron needs is a signature to make it to production.

The Audi R8 e-tron had been cancelled due to cost and range concerns, and a limited run of just ten vehicles for research purposes was to be built. But a last-minute reprieve was granted thanks to improved batteries, which supposedly doubled the range without making the final product ridiculously expensive.

Reports suggest the finished Audi R8 e-tron has a range of 250 miles per charge, and about 376 horsepower from twin electric motors

The final piece of the puzzle is a signature from Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi’s technical director and the man who most likely snuffed the project in the first place. I can understand the reasoning in light of vehicles like the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive. Besides being a pain in the ass to type, the $537,000 electric supercar has a driving range of just 155 miles per charge. Sure, it’s fast, but you’re looking at maybe two hours of aggressive driving followed by eight or more hours of charging. I doubt a lot of people are lining up for such a limited supercar, and the range and top speed of the Audi R8 e-tron probably put the kibosh on the project.

If the Audi R8 e-tron is capable of delivering 250 miles of driving per charge, however, that puts it on par with the Tesla Model S. What Audi will deliver in terms of fast charging could be what makes the Audi R8 e-tron a “practical” electric supercar, and just another toy for the “coulda been cool” collection.

Source: AutoCar

This article, Audi R8 e-tron Nears Production Stage… Again, is syndicated from Clean Technica and is posted here with permission.

About the Author

Christopher DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMI’s. When he isn’t wrenching or writing, he’s running, because he’s one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.

Audi Allroad Hybrid Concept – prepped for success

Originally published on Gas2 by Chris DeMorro

The Audi Allroad Concept can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, all the way to a top speed of 155 MPH.

The Audi Allroad Shooting Brake e-tron Concept is something old, something new, and something very exciting to talk about.

Audi stuck a plug-in hybrid drivetrain capable of delivering nearly 480 ft-lbs of torque, along with an all-electric driving range of some 31 miles, into a gorgeous ‘shooting brake’ bodystyle that we can’t help but fall in love with.

Like many recent Audi concepts, the Allroad Shooting Brake borrows e-tron technology for propulsion, utilizing a 2.0 liter gasoline engine and a pair of electric motors, one for each axle. Even with just a fairly small 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, Audi still claims a zero-emissions driving range of 31 miles per full charge.

More impressive though, the e-tron Quattro system can even handle some “light off-roading” hence the name “Allroad” though I don’t expect to see this concept crashing through sand dunes any time soon. On the road though, the Audi Allroad Concept can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, all the way to a top speed of 155 MPH.

The Allroad Concept was built in the same lane as prior Audi concepts, like the Sport Quattro Laserlight, but maintains a distinct styling of its own. Audi kept weight right around 3,500 pounds thanks to usage of carbon fiber and aluminum, though they won’t say whether this concept will go on sale, just that this is a “concrete look” at the future of Audi automobiles. Most likely we’ll get the still-cool-but-not-nearly-as-fast Audi A3 e-tron.

Take that as you will.

This article, A Hybrid Audi Allroad Shooting Brake Concept? is syndicated from Clean Technica and is posted here with permission.

About the Author

Christopher DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. When he isn’t wrenching or writing, he’s running, because he’s one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.