Audi planning their own version of the electric VW e-Up

It’s reported by the German motoring press that Audi are working on their own version of the electric e-Up city car for launch in 2015.

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Audi has played endlessly with their e-tron range of electric cars and range-extenders in recent years, but precious little has seemed even close to production.

Perhaps the most promising EVs from Audi so far have been the A2 EV (pictured above) and the A1 range extender with a small Wankel engine in the boot to charge the battery. But even they were dropped from Audi’s production plans last year.

But now it seems Audi are back in the production EV game with plans to produce an Audi e-tron using the underpinnings of the electric VW e-Up, but with Audi styling and an upmarket Audi interior and high-end Infotainment.

The German motoring press say the Audi EV will come with a range of 125 miles, deliver 116bhp and take from 30 minutes to 4 hours for a charge depending on the recharging source. Which is better than the e-Up can mange, but looks to us to be almost exactly the figures Audi quoted for the now defunct A2 EV.

It’s said Audi are aiming for a price point around €30k – which is 25 per cent lower than the projected price point for the now defunct A2 EV – but it’s still a silly amount of money for an Up! in posh clothes which can be had – with a proper engine – from just £8k.

But then, Audi has to have something to counter the upcoming BMW i3.