Audi EV

[TEG]

The same UK mag that had a very reliable rumour on this car is now saying £50k.

I think if they could get it under $50K US they could start to have a market.
If performance for 0-60 is > 6s then it isn't likely to be able to command a Roadster price-tag.

I really do like that exterior... It has nice proportions, but I agree that the interior could stand some improvements.

[JRP3]

At better than half the range and better than twice the 0-60 of the Roadster I'd think there would be a good market for it at a bit more than half the price of the Roadster.

[vfx]

SO, Audi is doing great very cool stuff and now we find out that Martin is there. I dying to know what his guidance has been towards these cars.

Confirmed: Tesla Co-Founder Eberhard working with Volkswagen — Autoblog Green

Audi has shown two very different E-tron sports cars in Frankfurt and Detroit. VW has a research and development facility in Palo Alto, CA, not far from where Eberhard lives.

We've asked Eberhard for a comment on the situation and he has confirmed that he is indeed doing work with Volkswagen...

[mpt]

So that's two German car manufacturers that have access to Tesla technology; that's competition, that speeds things up.

[TEG]

Ummm., I wouldn't jump to that conclusion.
Depends on how you define "Tesla Technology", I suppose.

[Chris H.]

I imagine Martin will want to get rid of those "in-wheel" motors...

[dpeilow]

But they aren't / weren't in the wheels.

[Chris H.]

But they aren't / weren't in the wheels.

Oh, really? The Audi site says

"Audi presents the highlight of the IAA 2009: the e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system. Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro."

I suppose they could be inboard... From the description on the Audi site, and a few others, it sounded like they were going with hub motors, but I haven't seen the car yet, so I'll take your word for it.

[dpeilow]

It's been known they were inboard from the original Audi press release (linked here).

The two electric motors, which have their own cooling system, are mounted behind the rear axle. The front electric motors are mounted on the front axle, with their cooling system arranged in front of them. This special package, which features a 42:58 weight distribution, ensures perfect balance, which contributes to the driving dynamics of the e-tron.

[JRP3]

Oh, really? The Audi site says

"Audi presents the highlight of the IAA 2009: the e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system. Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro."

If they were wheel motors there wouldn't be axles.