ETron

Audi Unveils the e-tron Spyder in Paris

Over the past few years, Audi has arguably been working as arduously on electric power as any of its rivals. The German automaker calls its electric prototypes "e-tron", and unveiled its latest concept to use the moniker at the Paris Auto Salon.

The e-tron Spyder is differentiated from its predecessors by its open-cockpit body-style, but its unique qualities don't stop there. The drivetrain couples a conventional twin-turbo diesel V6 with 300 horsepower to a pair of electric motors, distributed evenly across the chassis for optimum weight distribution. If this is the future of hybrid electric vehicles, the future is looking very bright indeed.

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi e-tron Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

The Audi R8 ranks among the fastest cars you're likely to see on the road, but the German automaker isn't about to rest on its proverbial laurels. After the V8 version came the 5.2-liter V10, and while the turbo-diesel V12 TDI version never made it past the concept stage, Audi has tantalized the torque-happy alternative-energy crowd with the e-tron concept.

Based on the R8 and unveiled last week in Frankfurt, the e-tron replaces the gasoline-burning engine in the existing supercar with no less than four electric motors and an enormous lithium-ion battery pack to supply it with juice. The result? A relatively modest 313 horsepower, but an absolutely bonkers 3,319 lb-ft of torque. And no, that's not a typo: it really does have more than ten times the torque of most of the cars. To go with the alternative power, Audi updated the e-tron's design details. But don't take our word for it: have a look for yourself in our high-resolution photo gallery below.

Gallery: Audi e-tron concept