Audi eTron Spyder
Audi has brought their latest e-Tron to Paris – the Audi e-Tron Spyder – which offers great economy and good performance from a diesel hybrid setup.
We reported at the start of September that Audi were going to bring an e-Tron Spyder to Paris and we thought, ‘Yep, another showcase car without much real releveance’. But we thought wrong. The e-Tron Audi has tipped up to Paris with is actually relevant. Why? Because it’s not a pointless, showy, electric concept. It has real world substance.
Power for the e-Tron Spyder comes from the new twin-turbo 3.0 litre TDI fitted to the new A8. That engine produces 296bhp and 479lbs/ft of torque. In the Audi eTron Spyder that drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch ‘box.
The ‘e-Tron’ bit gets saved for the front axle. There, a pair of asynchronous electric motors with a total output of 88 hp and 260lbs/ft of torque, can be added to the power from the TDI to give proper, grown up performance. That means 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and 155mph.
And although you won’t achieve it if you use the performance available all the time, the eTron Spyder is capable of 128.4mpg with emissions of just 59g/km. Itc an even do the electric-only trick at speeds of up to 37mph thanks to a 9.1kwh battery up front.
Finally, an Audi e-Tron with real-world applications. Just like the A1 e-Tron with its Wankel range extender. Which seems to be the only e-Tron concept so far that Audi aren’t going to make.
Which makes no sense at all.
Note: For more detail on an eTron Concept that’s actually relevant, have a look at the Audi eTron Spyder Press Release
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