Audi keeps on growing its e-tron family. The automaker pulled a fast one by unveiling yet another electrified monster at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, only this time, the low-slung hybrid came sans-top. The concept is powered by two electric motors and a 300-horsepower twin-turbo TDI V6 that comes to the fight with 479 pound-feet of torque. Audi says that despite the hefty 9.1 kilowatt-hour battery mounted up front, it managed to keep the weight low and distribute the pounds evenly across the chassis. As a result, this e-tron should be plenty flingable if it ever makes it off of the stage and onto a public road.
The Audi E-tron Spyder Concept is a further development of the E-tron coupe shown at the Detroit auto show earlier this year. In addition to its obvious lack of a roof, the E-tron Spyder is also slightly bigger than the last concept and features a plug-in hybrid drivetrain in place of the pure electric setup shown earlier.
The system relies on torque vectoring rather than electronic traction control to control wheelspin. The engineers calculate the 0-to-62 mph run at 4.4 seconds, and a top speed that would need to be electronically limited to 156 mph. Alternately, one can hit the ZEV button, and the 9.1-kWh battery will whir you along noiselessly for up thirty miles, at a maximum velocity of 37 mph. This e-quattro system is planned for the next generation of hybrid Audis, although in front-engine applications the electric motors will power the rear wheels.
For the conventional engine, why did Audi opt for the diesel and not for a small gasoline direct-injected turbo? “Because for us, diesel equals sportiness and high-performance as well as economy and environment-friendliness,” explains Michael Dick, board member in charge of research and development. “We won Le Mans with a diesel, we are selling an increasing number of TDI-powered TTs [in Europe], and we proved with the R8 V12 TDI concept that even a diesel-engine supercar does have its charm.”
This show car is proof that Audi has a lot of ideas brewing when it comes to alternative propulsion. We can expect conventional Audi hybrids soon—an A8 is likely to come first and a Q7 shouldn’t be too far behind—but it’s anyone’s guess as to when, or if, a diesel-electric with this type of layout will be on the product schedule. Audi of America head Johan de Nysschen told us that he thinks traditional diesel engines make more sense than hybrids for most Americans, but that the company would sell hybrids because of consumer demand. Marrying the two concepts in a passenger vehicle is a good idea, but doing so in a sexy sports car like this is an even better one.
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