Audi A1 E-TRON

Twenty of the new all-electric Audi 1 E-TRON premium compact hatchbacks are set to take to the streets of Munich in a pilot project in a partnership, undertaken by Audi AG and E.ON, the Munich municipal utility company SWM and the Technical University of Munich. The twenty battery-powered “Mega City vehicles” (MCV) will be operational throughout the city by mid-2011.

Delivering an output of 102PS, the lithium-ion battery powers the car to a top speed of 81mph and offers a range of 31 miles in city traffic and emits zero emissions. However a compact internal combustion engine recharges the battery when depleted and with a single-rotor Wankel engine in the rear, increases the range up to 124 miles when needed. With the “range extender”, CO2 emissions are calculated at 45g/km and the fuel economy is around 148.7mpg.

Audi 1 e-tron

Audi has launched their A1 e-tron at the Geneva Motor Show. This innovative Mega City Vehicle (MCV) has an electric drive system with a range of more than 31 miles in city traffic and with a peak output of 102PS is also fun to drive.

The transverse electric motor takes the car from 0-62mph in only 10 seconds and onto a top speed of 80mph and being electric, does this with zero emissions. At the rear a small single-rotor Wankel engine is also used to increase the range of the car in exceptional circumstances.

This “range extender” is used to re-charge the battery and increases the range to 124 miles. This represents a fuel consumption of 148.7mpg and a CO2 equivalent of 45g/km and with its 18-inch alloy wheels certainly looks the part with its sporty appearance.