| Make
|
Audi
|
| Model |
e-tron
Spyder |
| Concept
year |
2010 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
hybrid,
twin-turbo V6 TDI + electric |
|
The e-tron Spyder can go up to 31 miles
on electric power alone |
 |
|
The Audi e-tron Spyder is the latest in the e-tron line
of electric powered concept cars from Audi. Except whereas
the original e-Tron concept
from 2009, and the e-tron
concept shown at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show, were
both 100 percent electric powered, the e-tron Spyder employs
a hybrid diesel/electric drivetrain.
Drivetrain
The Audi e-tron Spyder features the first use of the new
generation six-cylinder, twin-turbo, 3.0 TDI engine. This
engine produces 300hp - which is 50hp up on the previous
iteration of the engine found in the new Audi A8. The
engine's peak torque output of 650 Newton metres is high,
even in the sports car segment - and for a 3.0 litre diesel
it's massive. The mid-mounted, engine drives the rear
wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
But that's not it for the e-tron Spyder's drivetrain.
Two electric motors - with a total output of 88 hp and
peak torque of 352 Newton meters - combine with the 3.0
TDI to give the Audi e-tron Spyder more than adequate
performance. It accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 4.4 seconds.
While the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
The full-hybrid Audi e-tron Spyder can also be run in
100 percent electric mode. In residential and other urban
areas, the driver can activate the electric drive by itself.
The 9.1-kwH battery at the front of the car has enough
power for up to 31 miles. And with a top speed of up to
37 miles, the e-tron Spyder is also able to easily keep
up with city traffic while in electric mode.
Design
The Audi e-tron Spyder is unmistakably Audi. There's elements
of the Audi R8 Spyder, and both the e-tron concepts mixed
in to its overall shape.
The dimensions of the Audi e-tron Spyder measure in at
5.9 feet (1.81 meters) wide, 13.3 feet (4.06 meters) long
and only 3.6 feet (1.11 meters) in height. Compared to
the e-tron coupé concept car in Detroit, the length
and width have increased by 5.1 inches (13 cm) and 1.18
inches (3 cm), respectively, to underscore the sporty
aspirations of the car.
The dramatic sloping windscreen of the e-tron Spyder is
designed to imitate the shape of a visor on a full-face
racing helmet. Another element borrowed from the racing
world characterizes the bonnet: the wide central air inlet,
whose curve further accentuates the dynamics of the car's
front end and provides a visual and functional link to
the Audi R8 LMS customer race car.
The silhouette of the e-tron Spyder concept is characterized
by a sharp, sweeping line which connects the front and
rear wheel arches. The sharply tapered front end lends
the Audi e-tron Spyder show car a distinctly wedge-like
basic shape. The trapeze of the single-frame grille dominates
the distinctly wedge-shaped front end and is flanked by
two large air intakes. They serve as cooling intakes for
the electric drive system and also for the TDI engine
at the rear of the vehicle.
Chassis
The chassis of the e-tron Spyder has triangular double
wishbones at the front axle and a trapezoidal-link rear
suspension made of forged aluminium components - this
setup has been proven in motorsports to be the optimal
design for dynamic and precision driving. A taut setup
was chosen for the springs and shock absorbers, but at
the same time there is a high level of comfort to the
ride.
The direct rack-and-pinion steering gives finely differentiated
feedback. Its electromechanical steering boost varies
with speed, so that the e-tron Spyder only has to provide
energy while steering, and not while driving straight
ahead.
Interior
Just like the exterior, the interior of the Audi e-tron
Spyder is stylish and high-tech yet minimalist at the
same time.
The slim dashboard has a curve that extends around into
the door panels. With no need to allow for a transmission,
shifter and tunnel, the Audi's designers created a particularly
slim and lightweight centre tunnel and convex, arching
center console for the e-tron Spyder. The only control
element other than that of the MMI is the flush-mounted
selector lever for the automatic transmission, which extends
upward from the tunnel when the vehicle is started.
The cockpit of the Audi e-tron Spyder is also oriented
toward the driver. Instead of the classic instrument cluster,
the car is fitted with a large display with integrated
MMI functions and flanked by two round dials. The MMI
can be controlled via a touch-sensitive control panel
mounted on the steering wheel - an element inspired by
modern smartphones. It can also be controlled via the
MMI control unit (MMI touch) on the centre console. The
race-car inspired steering wheel flattened off at both
the top and bottom. Speed is displayed in digital form
only. The dial instrument with information about the drive
system can be chosen via the menu item "Drive."
Similar and related vehicles:
Audi e-tron Detroit Showcar
Audi R8 e-Tron
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