My Perfect Automobile » Audi

Audi Plans EV Debut for 2015

Larry Bell — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:11:23 +0000

Volkswagen’s e-Up

Automotive media sources in Germany are reporting that Audi is planning to create a competitor to Volkswagen’s e-Up and hopes to have the new vehicle on the market by 2015. Audi is also hoping to outdo the e-Up in terms of range and power, intending to offer 125 miles of range and 114 horsepower on its prospective premium EV. Other reported specs include a 0-62 mph time of 9.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 93 mph. Volkswagen’s e-Up has a 93-mile range and an 81-horsepower rating. Pricing estimates put the VW e-Up around the $23,000 mark and the Audi EV at approximately $39,000, though both figures are unconfirmed.

Audi vs VW: Video

For a quick photomontage of Volkswagen’s e-Up, see the video clip above. The electric variation on VW’s popular Up will land in UK showrooms in 2014. Though the car is set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen revealed it ahead of the official unveiling. The e-Up’s lithium-ion battery pack is situated under the floor and offers 155-pound-feet of torque. With the ability to replenish the pack up to 80 percent of capacity in just 30 minutes, the car delivers an impressive 93 miles per charge. Other than minor insignia and badging, the electric version of Up is almost visually identical to the combustion model. One change is the front bumper on the e-Up, which is aerodynamically contoured and features LED running lights.

Audi vs VW e-Up

While the proposed Audi EV and the Volkswagen e-Up appear to be potential competitors, their distant price points will likely place them in non-competing demographics, with the VW model going head-to-head with Nissan’s Leaf and other moderately priced electric vehicles. Audi’s electric sedan, if indeed it lands in the $39,000 sticker range, will have an entirely different set of rivals for consumer affection.

For more information about Audi and Volkswagen, see the carmakers’ official websites:
http://www.audiusa.com
http://www.vw.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Frankfurt Motor Show Set for Sept.10 Opening

Larry Bell — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:30:33 +0000

Opel RAK e electric concept car debuted at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

One of the world’s largest and most prestigious automobile exhibitions, the Frankfurt Motor Show, will open on Sept. 10 and run until Sept. 22. The cities of Frankfurt and Hanover alternate hosting duties for the event, with Frankfurt taking the odd-numbered years. In 2011, the show was the site of almost 1,000 exhibits from all over the world. Organizers for the 2013 show are expecting approximately 1,000,000 attendees.

Frankfurt Motor Show: Video

Audi’s A2 electric car concept was the talk of Frankfurt’s 2011 show, as detailed in the short video clip above. The concept drew heavy media attention, as did several other debut vehicles at the show that year. The A2 was a unique vehicle for Audi, with a superstructure composed primarily of aluminum and carbon fiber. The car was specially designed to be very light and carried a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack in its floor. A one-speed transmission and front-mounted electric motor combined with front-wheel-drive to make for a clever concept vehicle. Though development of the A2 has been put on hiatus, the car on display in 2011 utilized brake-, steer-, and shift-by-wire technology. The official word from Audi about the A2 is that the car will not see production but was a way for the company to try out various component concepts.

Frankfurt Motor Show

The Frankfurt show runs from Sept. 10 through Sept. 22 this year, with Press Days on Sept. 10 and 11. The show will open to the public on Sept. 14. There is a special two-day Trade Days event on Sept. 12 and 13. In addition to passenger cars, the show will feature motorcycles, parts, accessories and motor caravans. Displays will be spread through 12 buildings around the main exhibition center in Frankfurt.

For all the details about the sixty-fifth Frankfurt International Motor Show, see the event’s official website:
http://www.iaa.de/en/

Larry Bell

Shanghai Auto Show Preview: Unveilings Abound

Larry Bell — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:42:49 +0000

Shanghai Auto Show: Panamera S E-Hybrid will be on display

When the Shanghai Auto Show opens this weekend, the event will play host to the debut of dozens of new cars from a variety of global automakers. Besides the much-anticipated Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, Porsche’s first-ever plug-in, Shanghai will witness the unveiling of the Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA crossover, the Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 (fiftieth anniversary edition), and two versions of the 2015 Audi A3.

Shanghai Auto Show: Video

See the video clip above for a thorough review of the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. The plug-in version of this car will be in Shanghai, though interior styling is nearly the same, and much of the hybrid drivetrain is similar except for the plug-in capability of course. Porsche billed the S Hybrid as the most fuel-efficient vehicle the company has ever created when it was introduced. It boasts 41.5 mpg and an extremely low carbon emission level. As the reviewer notes, Panamera S Hybrid runs cleaner and more economically than the Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI. Able to reach 62 mph in just six seconds, the Panamera S Hybrid knocks out a blazing top speed of 167 mph.

Shanghai Auto Show

Adding to the barrage of unveilings, BMW will take the cover off its newest concept model, the X4, a coupe crossover. One of the concepts that is getting a lot of media attention ahead of the show is the Icona Vulcano Concept, created by an Italian design company that is based in China. The Vulcano is a supercar that burns pavement at an astonishing 217 mph and packs a whopping 900 horsepower and a V-12 engine under its hood.

The Panamera S E-Hybrid is expected to be one of the biggest crowd magnets at the Shanghai event. The car carries a sticker base price of $99,975. Shanghai is the debut for the plug-in version, Porsche’s first car of this type. The Shanghai Auto Show has become one of Asia’s premier events for the industry.

For all the latest official updates about the Shanghai Auto Show, visit the event’s English language website:
http://autoshanghai.auto-fairs.com/en/leftnavigation/information

Larry Bell

Audi e-tron EV to Star in ‘Iron Man 3′

Larry Bell — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 02:02:45 +0000

Audi A3 e-tron

Audi has announced that its R8 EV will once again star in a major Hollywood film. As it did in Iron Man 2, the R8 will play a prominent role in the upcoming Iron Man 3, which arrives in theaters in early May. Iron Man himself, Tony Stark, will drive the e-tron version of R8 in the latest installment of the ultra-popular serial drama. This time around, Stark’s romantic interest, Pepper Potts, will also pilot an Audi, in her case the S7.

Audi R8: Video

For those who missed it, above is the official commercial from Audi which featured its R8 supercar, the V10 Spyder. Though the ad only provides very short glimpses of the main characters, many reviewers have said the car was as much a star of the film as Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. Downey’s Tony Stark plays a wealthy man-on-the-run who is trying to keep the secret of his body armor suit from government agents. Paltrow is CEO of Stark Industries. She is also Tony’s best friend and potential love interest.

Fresh from its appearance in Transformers 2, Audi’s R8 was well prepped for its star turn in the Iron Man series. Created by one of the company’s subsidiaries, Quattro GmbH, the R8 looks a lot like another famous vehicle, Lamborghini’s Gallardo. Note: Audi AG Corporation happens to be the owner of Lamborghini, so the resemblance is not coincidental.

Audi e-tron

The Audi R8 e-tron is still officially a prototype, but many industry-watchers claim the car’s high-profile film roles are a hint that it will someday go into production. The Iron Man-mobile Audi is perhaps second in movie-car fame only to the Back to the Future car, a DeLorean, which catapulted to celebrity status with its role in the cult film which starred Michael J. Fox.

For more about Audi vehicles, see the carmaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.audiusa.com

Larry Bell

Audi G-tron is a CNG-Gasoline Bi-Fuel

Larry Bell — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 22:44:52 +0000

Audi A3 Sportback G-tron

Boasting a range of over 800 miles, Audi’s new A3 Sportback G-tron will be able to run on compressed natural gas or gasoline. A true bi-fuel vehicle, the G-tron will make its official debut at next week’s Geneva Auto Show. No announcement has been made about whether the car will be sold in the U.S., though a late 2013 rollout is expected for the European market.

Audi G-tron: Video

In the video clip below, you will find some walk-around photos of Audi’s newest alternative-fuel vehicle, the A3 Sportback G-tron, which is actually a bi-fuel car that runs on compressed natural gas and gasoline. What cannot be seen in the video is the position of the CNG tanks. They are underneath the rear cargo area, and each holds just over 15 pounds of natural gas. Combined with the 560 miles of range from the conventional gasoline engine, the CNG range of 250 miles yields a total vehicle range of over 800 miles.

Audi G-tron

Audi had to tweak the vehicle’s fuel injection system, as well as its 1.4-liter engine, in order to make everything work properly. So far, the automaker has not indicated how many of the new bi-fuel vehicles it plans to build. Exact launch date and price are two other question marks for the time being.

One factor that might play against the release of a U.S. version is the lack of CNG infrastructure, though corporate fleets and municipalities have been adding to their CNG inventory quite rapidly over the past five years. Audi’s new bi-fuel car reaches a top speed of 118 mph and requires only 11 seconds to go from zero to 62 mph. Unlike the Honda Civic Natural Gas, the A3 G-tron is able to run solely on gasoline. The Civic Natural Gas runs exclusively on CNG fuel.

For more about Audi vehicles, see the automaker’s official corporate website:
http://audiusa.com

Larry Bell

Audi A3 Plug-In Headed to Geneva

Larry Bell — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:31:22 +0000

Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid car

Audi will show an electric-hybrid plug-in car at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. No word on production plans, price, or proposed market coverage, but the company has revealed some preliminary specs on the A3 plug-in. Equipped with a 204-horsepower engine system, the vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 138 mph, and does the zero-to-60 run in 7.5 seconds. Like several EV models already on the market worldwide, the A3 plug-in can travel just over 30 miles on electricity, and reach 81 mph on battery power alone.

Audi A3: Video

For an interesting look at the Audi A3, and to hear directly from the company why they think an electric Audi is positioned better than similar cars in the market, view the short video clip below. “It’s the wrapper,” notes the Audi company spokesperson, who points out that consumers will, in the long run, drift toward the best product among many. While several large automakers already have competitive electric vehicles in showrooms, Audi is being careful to roll out the A3 e-tron, then a higher-end A8 electric, and hopes to have plug-in hybrid Audi in showrooms within two years.

Audi A3

Last year, Audi began a small pilot project using all-electric A3s in the U.S., and has been continually evaluating the data to better lay out a marketing strategy for its soon-to-be EV lineup. For the time being, it appears the German carmaker will begin its electrical quest with a plug-in hybrid, which will almost certainly bear a striking resemblance to the A3 headed to Geneva. From the looks of things, Audi appears to be setting the stage for a sales duel between itself and GM in the plug-in hybrid niche. Though the Chevy Volt has had an enormous head start, the next few years will determine how the competition shakes out.

For more about Audi vehicles, see the automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.audiusa.com

Larry Bell

Hybrid Conversion Kit Works on Any Car

Larry Bell — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 22:58:06 +0000

Hybrid Honda: Insight

A college instructor has developed a kit for turning any car into a hybrid-electric vehicle. Engineering professor Charles Perry of Middle Tennessee State University is currently looking into funding the venture, with an eye on converting an entire fleet of cars as a large-scale test.

Conversion: Video

For a look at another type of conversion, in this case a (very) homemade electric car, the video below features a brave Audi owner who did a one-person conversion to electric drive car, on a budget of about $5,000. No, he does not end up with the ideal commercial EV or an upscale Tesla Roadster. However, the end product is an admirable piece of work given the budgetary constraints. Converting cars to run on electricity or some other alternative fuel is a burgeoning cottage industry in the U.S., with small, locally based conversion shops cropping up in practically every state.

Hybrid Conversion

Professor Perry used a 1994 Honda Accord wagon as his initial research vehicle. After placing a pair of electric motors on the rear wheels, he added a lithium battery. The electrical system adds power to the gasoline engine, with a resultant mpg improvement of about 75 percent. Perry says his kit will cost around $3,000 and be much simpler than hybrid conversion kits already on the market.

Whether you do your own hybrid conversion or not, the Dept. of Energy website listed below is a valuable resource for learning how to save money on fuel. In addition, the site can help you shop for a hybrid vehicle. All you need to do is select your favorite category from small cars, family sedans, luxury sedans, pickups, or SUVs. From there, refine the choices to your heart’s delight. The comparison charts list models by year, price, make, transmission, and mpg. So if hybrid-drive gets your blood flowing, check out the DOE website and start shopping.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrids.jsp

Larry Bell

Audi Diesels: Coming to America

Larry Bell — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:58:06 +0000

Audi diesels. Four models coming to LA

This week, Audi announced that it would be bringing out four new TDI clean diesel versions of cars already in its impressive lineup, namely the A8, A7, A6, and Q5 SUV. The 2013 model year looks to be a prelude to an avalanche of clean diesel vehicles for the U.S. market. Before the calendar turns to 2014, Chevrolet, Mazda, BMW, and Audi, to name just a few, will offer TDI cars or trucks in literally thousands of American showrooms.

Audi Diesels: Video

Audi will be bringing no fewer than four diesel cars to the LA Auto Show later this month. Each vehicle will be making its U.S. debut as the company attempts to make its mark on the fastest growing segment of the alternative fuel arena. Because diesel fuel is denser than gasoline, and burns cleaner, it is able to produce better mpg and fewer harmful emissions. That double wallop is what drives so many green-minded consumers to the TDI cars and trucks. For the better part of a decade, clean diesel vehicles were a hit in Europe but few and far between in the U.S. Now that the floodgates are opened up, several manufacturers and taking the plunge, Audi among them. The video clip below shows off the four Audi TDI cars that will be making their bow at the LA event.

Audi Diesels

The A8 boasts a fuel efficiency rating of 24/36 mpg, while data for the A7 and A6 is forthcoming Look for those two, however, to list even better mpg numbers since they are smaller cars all around. All of Audi’s new TDI offerings will be available for purchase sometime in the latter half of 2013, according to company spokespersons.

For more about Audi’s clean diesel, hybrid, and other vehicles, see the automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.audiusa.com

Larry Bell

Clean Diesel Cars Coming to LA Auto Show

Larry Bell — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:20:33 +0000

Clean Diesel: Mercedes-Benz GLK350 BlueTEC SUV

Mercedes-Benz will bring its GLK250 BlueTEC to the upcoming LA Auto Show, and intends to have the cars in showrooms by the middle of 2013. Audi and Volkswagen will also display several clean diesel models at the event, following a successful sales year for the technology. This year alone, sales of clean diesel vehicles grew by nearly 30 percent, and automakers look forward to a stellar 2013 as well. Within the so-called alternative fuel sector, the two clear leaders are now hybrid-electric and clean diesel variants.

Clean Diesel: Video

For a sneak peak at the Mercedes-Benz GLK250 BlueTEC, see the professionally produced clip below. Without narration, the short preview of this awesome looking car is a visual walk-around, with some ominous, suspense-movie theme music in the background. The Two-fifty is a gorgeous piece of machinery and will no doubt collect some heavy crowds at the LA event. See if you agree with what some reviewers are saying about the front view of the car: Is it unintentional, or did MB aim for a classic, 1950s roadster look? You be the judge. (To get the visual, try pausing the clip at the :33 point).

Clean Diesel

By the end of 2013, Mercedes-Benz expects nearly half of its cars to feature start-stop systems, which increase the fuel efficiency of traditional and diesel engines. Not to be outdone by VW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi has been hinting at a newsworthy announcement during the LA Show, having to do with its own efforts in clean diesel technology.

For its part, Volkswagen will bring the 2013 Beetle Cabriolet to LA, a car that offers both gasoline and diesel engines. This year’s show will also debut at least three electric cars.

For more information about all the Mercedes-Benz vehicles, see the company’s official U.S. website:
http://www.mbusa.com

Larry Bell

Audi and Toyota Hybrid Racers Ready for Shanghai

Larry Bell — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:30:44 +0000

Audi R18 e-tron quattro

Teams who drive the hybrid supercars for Audi and Toyota are gearing up for the final race of the FIA World Endurance Championship series in Shanghai this Sunday. The “Six Hours of Shanghai” event follows the most recent stop on the series at Japan’s Fuji Speedway, where Toyota’s TS030 took home first place. Two of the Toyota drivers will be on hand to pilot the ultra-powerful hybrid racer in Shanghai. Nicolas Lapierre and Alex Wurz will share driving responsibilities during the race, which takes place at Shanghai’s International Circuit.

Audi and Toyota: Video

For a complete overview of the Audi e-tron Quattro and the Toyota TS030, see the video clip below. Not only does it include short interviews with the drivers, but features explanations by each team’s engineers as to why they designed the drivetrains the way they did. One interesting difference between the two cars has to do with the energy regeneration systems, and where those systems send the extra power. While each car’s hybrid power transition is smooth, the drivers attest to the fact that they feel the extra burst of force when it kicks in. The clip also contains some classic footage of the TS030 and e-tron on the track, both during test drives and in actual races. If you enjoy racing or hybrids, or both, there is plenty of high-speed action awaiting you.

Audi, Toyota: Hybrid Racers

The Toyota hybrid race car was developed under Le Mans Prototype regulations and was the first hybrid to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship Series. Audi’s R18 e-tron Quattro is a hybrid version of the Audi R18 ultra. The hybrid model uses a flywheel accumulator system to store energy.

For more about all the cars and trucks that Toyota sells, see the company’s official corporate website.
http://www.toyota.com
For more about Toyota Racing, see that organization’s website:
http://www.toyotaracing.com
For more on Audi, see:
http://www.audi.com

Larry Bell

Audi F12 EV: Ultimate Sports Car

Larry Bell — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 19:27:50 +0000

Audi F12 EV

Audi has announced that its three-year-long research project to develop a significant advancement for electric mobility has concluded. The company says that the fruits of that project are a multiple-module tech platform, which has been built into the new F12, what some are calling the most advanced electric vehicle in the world. The so-called eSport version of the new platform is inside the F12, which features a hardened block with a collision resistant exterior and a 38 kWh electric capacity.

Audi F12 EV: Video

The highly informative video clip below shows what Audi’s e-performance research project has been up to. The most significant result of the engineering think-tank project is a modular component system for electric cars. The F12 features the very latest in EV-related research concepts, and was partly sponsored by the German education ministry. The exterior of the F12 is almost identical to the Audi R8, which will be in showrooms by late 2012. The video animation walks us through the major electrical components of the car, providing detailed descriptions, and visuals, for each part of new F12.

Audi F12

The prototype has three completely separate electric motors, one in the front and two in the back. When the car operates at low speeds, only the front motor is activated. A state-of-the-art heat pump can store heat in the batteries for future use, to heat the car’s interior if need be. The system also regulates the batteries’ internal temperatures.

Nearly every operational function is controlled via a tablet computer console, itself removable, which is situated on the vehicle’s main console. Audi hopes to learn from the F12’s development, and will likely use many of the car’s features in various future models.

For more about Audi vehicles, see the company’s official U.S. website:
http://www.audiusa.com

Larry Bell

Audi Crosslane Hybrid Makes Paris Debut

Larry Bell — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:24:56 +0000

Audi Crosslane hybrid plug-in

Audi unveiled a stunning concept hybrid at the Paris Motor Show, which opened late last week. The Crosslane hybrid is a breath of fresh air, even by flashy, Paris standards. Reviewers are calling it one of the most remarkable vehicles at the show. Visually stunning, and a combination of space-efficient design, lightweight construction, and state-of-the-art hybrid technology, the Crosslane coupe concept is actually a plug-in version of the next Q2, according to insiders.

Audi Crosslane: Video

For a fast, but information-packed tour of the Crosslane’s debut at the Paris Motor Show, the following video fills the bill. With “lightweight philosophy,” and “minimalist interior” as two of the main descriptives for the new Audi, the narrator is right on target in pointing out the futuristic overall look of the hybrid concept. Oddly, as you can see in the clip, the convertible roof is manually operated. Again, lightweight materials, mostly carbon fiber and aluminum, make the transition easy.

Audi Crosslane Plug-in

The deep grille and extremely narrow headlights will likely show up on several Audis in the near future. Some early spectators likened the concept to a mixture of the company’s A1, A3, and Q5. When it comes to materials, the Crosslane indeed lives up to the term ‘concept.’ Glass- and carbon-fiber polymers, along with a healthy dose of aluminum all around, make for an incredibly light body without running the sticker price through the clouds.

Because the plug-in can operate on electric power alone for about 50 miles, Audi is saying the fuel efficiency is better than 250 mpg. Thanks to the wonders of video (see above), you can get a feel for the truly groundbreaking styling of the interior. Sharp angles abound, but are not overdone. It all goes toward the goal of being efficient with the interior space.

For more information about Audi vehicles, see the automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.audi.com

Larry Bell