Audi e-Tron gets green light

Audi are putting the electric e-Tron in to production.

Audi’s US boss – Johan de Nysschen – has revealed that Audi will be putting the electric e-Tron in to production in the next two years.

Although there were stories surrounding an electric Audi R8 for months, it was only a short while before Frankfurt that we learned the deal was real, with Audi unveiling the e-Tron officially at the Frankfurt Show. And now comes news that Audi intends bringing the e-Tron to market in 2011. Audi’s US boss – Johan de Nysschen – has stated publicly that the e-Tron will debut as a production car in the next two years.

This news come soon after the news that BMW are also going ahead with production of their Frankfurt electric sports car – the BMW Vision ED – which should see a new BMW M1 being built in the next couple of years based on the Vision Ed’s powertrain.

The Audi e-tron is powered by an electric motor at each wheel and powered by a lithium-ion battery bank. Audi says the e-Tron is good for a range of over 150 miles on a charge. The four motors deliver 313bhp and an almost unbelievable 3,319lb/ft of torque. That is enough to drive the e-Tron to 60 mph in under five seconds. But there wouldn’t be much chance of managing 150 miles on a charge if you took advantage of the acceleration to any great degree.

Surprisingly, Johan de Nysschen made no mention of turning the e-Tron in to a hybrid by fitting a small range extender engine. Maybe Audi are relying on battery technology continuing to move forward apace and the widespread implementation of car recharging points. Otherwise it would seem that the new BMW M1 will have a big usability advantage over the e-Tron.

Now Mr de Nysschen has confirmed the news, maybe Audi will let us have more information. For now, you can check out all that Audi has to say on the e-Tron in the Audi e-Tron press release.