Audi EV

[AnOutsider]

I agree. Still, I worry that the large automotive companies really don't want electric cars to succeed and their current efforts are really more comic foils to showcase electric car limitations rather than honestly pushing the envelope and trying to make viable EVs that can succeed on their own merits. I firmly believe that if Tesla was not in the marketplace driving me-too "innovation" from these guys that they would produce nothing more than a showroom prototype with limited range and specs and be happy to say, "see I told you it wasn't practical. Maybe in another twenty years." I worry that Tesla's success is being drowned out by all of these so-called competitors.

Maybe, but Tesla actually has a vehicle on the road. Not having the Model S progressing faster is a bigger slap to them IMO. Tesla could've said they were not only first, but had the better range, no generator etc.

Right now the public probably sees Tesla as a specialty manufacturer with a high priced supercar just like other outfits, but if they had the Model S sedan out and more competitively priced cars, they would probably look more like a competitive manufacturer and have very little to worry about as their tech still seems to outpace what's coming from the big guys.

 

[stopcrazypp]

I agree. Still, I worry that the large automotive companies really don't want electric cars to succeed and their current efforts are really more comic foils to showcase electric car limitations rather than honestly pushing the envelope and trying to make viable EVs that can succeed on their own merits.

The article posted here (about VW no less, so it is somewhat on topic) certainly points to this being true (at least for VW).
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/elec...mercedes-fight-e-car-lead-but-vw-skeptic.html

It seems like VW fears if they build an EV at this stage, it might ruin their reputation and the reputation of EVs. They are still primarily doing testing (internally rather than publically). In general, it seems like they are still pretty far behind if they have that little confidence in the refinement of their EVs. So although these Audi EVs do pose the greatest threat to Tesla, I don't think we will see them out for a couple of years.

 

[vfx]

I have to say I really like it for size and proportion. Our reticence on the Model S has been its large size. I will hold styling and interior comments for later versions but will say i could probably live with it (with he wife's blessing).

The Model S is 196 inches long.
This E-Tron 2.0 is 154 inches.

Anyone have a picture of what's in the "back seat"?

 

[TEG]

Anyone have a picture of what's in the "back seat"?

Back Seat?

http://[URL="http://[b/"



While we are at it...
Cockpit:

(note the LCD / camera mirror - not production legal as far as I know)

 

[SByer]

Wow, Audi continues to show how Tesla just nailed the small two seater form factor. That interior... is as awful as current Audis! Nasty.



Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

 

[dpeilow]

Audi Scores Some Big Green Points

 

[vfx]

Back Seat?

Yeah, more like "back shelf".

thanks TEG.

I still like it.

Must have a bigger trunk than a Roadster.

$200K? and 155miles?

 

[vfx]

Audi Scores Some Big Green Points

it is a powerful 2-seat electric sports car with 45 kWh battery capacity and two electric motors that provide over 200 hp. This gives it a range of 250 kilometers (155 miles).

and

Audi's strategy for electric vehicles is to skip the 'mild hybrids' that use electric motors just as a boost to the gasoline engine and instead focus on full hybrids.

equals ??

 

[dpeilow]

$200K? and 155miles?

Where have you seen $200k?

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

 

[vfx]

Where have you seen $200k?

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

Admittedly it was for version 1.0.

 

[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.