Audi A1, A2 e-trons put on the backburner | CarAdvice

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Audi A1, A2 e-trons put on the backburner

AUDI A1
By Tim Beissmann
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The Audi A1 e-tron and A2 e-tron have reportedly been placed on the backburner as the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer questions the feasibility of its electric city car duo.

UK’s Car Magazine reports members of Audi management are not convinced the A2 e-tron can sell in large enough numbers at its anticipated price of 40,000 euros ($50,700) given its limited range and diminutive size.

The 3.8m Audi A2 concept was unveiled at last year’s Paris motor show. Powered by an 85kW/270Nm electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, the concept had a total driving range of approximately 200km.

At the time, Audi predicted the A2 could go into production by 2015, around two years after the global launch of the all-electric BMW i3 city car, although Audi is now said to be focusing on other projects.

The future of the A1 e-tron appears similarly bleak in the short term. The hybrid-electric A1 e-tron concept debuted at the 2010 Geneva motor show, sporting a 254cc rotary engine, a 74kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.

Audi estimated the A1 e-tron had a range of 210km and could sprint from 0-100km/h in 10 seconds.

While it is putting its electric city cars on ice, Audi is steaming ahead with development of its first electric production car, the Audi R8 e-tron sports car.

Captured in spy photographs in April, the R8 e-tron appears close to production-ready, and is expected to go on sale in limited numbers as early as next year.


 

  • F1MotoGP

    I agree with Audi. They engine getting better with more kW high Nm at low revs and excellent fuel economy. Petrol prices are low. It would be OK when petrol price hits around $3 per liter.

  • IHBd

    I seriously have never understood why anyone ever buys an Audi..

    Those cars are extraordinarily heavy and slow.. Not to mention boring in design and they fall apart pretty easily.. 

    • F1MotoGP

       Slow….A4 2.0 liter quattro zero to 100 in 6.5 sec. That is not slow for a 4 cylinder!

    • Daniel

      Fall apart easily? They are some of the best built cars in the world! They are renowned for their build quality!

    • Schn

      Not too sure about reliability, but their designs are modern and stylish and have class, some of the best interior designs in the class. 

    • JCSS

      SOUR GRAPES…………. 

  • N45LR

    They have always been good at making smart marketing ideas like the new A6 so I believe them when they say they have another idea. I agree with F1MotoGP, electric cars for everyday use just isn’t the right direction yet and Australia is only just cashing in on diesal for cars.