Audi unveiling A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid concept in Shanghai
19 April 2011
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| Audi A3 e-tron concept. Click to enlarge. |
Audi is set to unveil the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid concept in Shanghai. The A3 e-tron concept is propelled by two power units—a 155 kW (211 hp) 1.4 TFSI four-cylinder engine with turbocharging and gasoline direct injection and an electric motor with an output of 20 kW (27 hp).
The system provides a combined output of 175 kW (238 hp). Working together, the gasoline engine and electric motor accelerate the notchback to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.8 seconds, then on to 231 km/h (143.54 mph). A regulated oil pump, the intelligent Audi thermal management system, a start-stop system and an energy recovery system—technologies from the brand’s modular efficiency platform—all contribute to this high efficiency.
The 12 kWh Li-ion battery pack is located behind the rear seats, supporting a range of up to 54 km (34 miles) on electric power alone. The batteries are charged by the standard energy recovery system when the car is in motion or directly from a household power socket when it is parked. This means that in most cases, the car is entirely emission-free in city driving.
A compact seven-speed S tronic serves as the transmission for the compact plug-in hybrid. It comprises two transmission structures, which are operated by two clutches. Gears are alternately shifted by the two clutches.
The driver can operate the seven-speed S tronic in one automatic mode and one manual mode, using the paddles on the steering wheel to shift gears manually. Touch control buttons alongside the handrest on the center tunnel console are used to select drive positions R, N and D. These are backlit in red when it gets dark. Drive position P is automatically engaged when the electric parking brake is applied. The launch control system manages acceleration from a dead stop, furnishing turbo power with minimal tire slip.
The Audi drive select dynamic handling system gives the driver five modes from which to select the characteristics of the engine, power steering and seven-speed S tronic. The modes are comfort, auto, dynamic, individual and efficiency, the last of which is designed for maximum economy.
The Audi A3 e-tron concept measures 4.44 meters (14.57 ft) long and 1.84 meters (6.04 ft) wide, but just 1.39 meters (4.56 ft) high.
Advanced components, design methods and joining techniques keep the body weight low. One example of this are the custom tailored blanks (panels of various thicknesses) in the floor area. The doors, engine hood and tailgate are made of aluminum. With its high levels of rigidity, the body provides the basis for the sedan’s handling, vibrational comfort and low weight—the Audi A3 e-tron concept weighs 1,720 kilograms (3,792 lb).
"the body provides the basis for the sedan’s ... low weight—the Audi A3 e-tron concept weighs 1,720 kilograms"
Low weight - I don't think so! I guess this is the peril of hybrids, ticking one of everything - ICE, electric motor, fuel tank, transmission, batteries - is going to pile on the lard.
I still prefer the EV-biased design of the A1 e-tron with only a small Wankel, would prefer to see a similar approach here rather than this ICE-biased design.
Posted by: Biff | 19 April 2011 at 03:35 AM
The 12 kWh Li-ion battery pack is located behind the rear seats, supporting a range of up to 54 km (34 miles) on electric power alone.
With a 20 kW e-motor, that'll be a trendy milk float.
Posted by: Arne | 19 April 2011 at 03:57 AM
The 20kW EV power is about 1/5 of what is needed and the 155kW gas engine is 3 times larger than what is needed for a range extended EV. The A1 e-tron was just right so it is beyond my reason why Audi risk looking foolish by showing such a freak concept.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 19 April 2011 at 04:30 AM
enough of the concepts
everyday concept this concept that
how about a car for sale
Posted by: ds | 19 April 2011 at 06:11 AM
Actualy no this is exactly the right way to do it.
The ev mode is for CITY driving and should only need 20 kw in that mode. The gas engine is for freeway driving and for after the battery is drained and is for perfornamce driving.
Posted by: wintermane2000 | 19 April 2011 at 08:19 AM
They do concepts to test the market, it costs way too much to produce a car that flops. The build it and they will come long ago gave way to market driven development.
Posted by: SJC | 19 April 2011 at 08:22 AM
no concepts are a way to make everybody think things are moving forward when they arent
Posted by: ds | 19 April 2011 at 08:30 AM
The Volt was a concept car January 2007 and it went into production. 500,000 people signed up expressing an interest in the concept and GM paid attention. I suppose anyone can be cynical, but that is just a depressed state of mind that a bit of therapy can cure.
Posted by: SJC | 19 April 2011 at 09:48 AM
PHEVs may be the way to go for the next 10+ years or until such time as batteries have evolved 200% to 300%.
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 April 2011 at 10:29 AM
GM paid attention because they are obama motors
5 years is a long time in the automotive industry
with all the new ways of designing cars
Posted by: ds | 19 April 2011 at 10:59 AM
That it total disappointment. E-tron concept suppose to be lightweight engine with generator and sufficient electric motor (locomotive architecture). This innovation I anticipated. Here is something going back to Prius.
Posted by: Darius | 20 April 2011 at 04:53 AM
This is so disappointing versus the original eTron concepts presented in the previous years that calling it eTron is a shame for Audi.
This is just another 1st Gen Hybrid. Pulling, nothing, just adding too small Electrict Engines and far too small batteries into an old fashioned mix is just a non-sense. Will add costs and complexity, and maintenance issues, for negligible benefits.
Audi should never call eTron something as poor as that. Should reserve eTron to real "Car of the Future designs", with full electric tracting base, larger battery > 50KWH, with a stronger extended range generator. Nothing lower.
Posted by: CARL75014 | 27 April 2011 at 02:03 AM