Audi Confirms e-Tron Detroit Concept as R4 Preview - Sub brand to emerge

 Audi Confirms e-Tron Detroit Concept as R4 Preview - Sub brand to emerge
Audi e-tron Detroit Showcar live 11.01.2010

The Audi e-Tron electric concept on display at the NAIAS shares the same shape and styling as the Audi R4.  In the long-run, Audi plans to use the electric car template as a basis for future models.

Expected to come to market in 2012, the R4 will be released both as an all-electric and with conventional engines.  Bigger than the TT, but smaller than the R8, the R4 will share a similar-looking roofline with the other two models.  Once released as a production-ready model, the car will likely have tamer wheel arches and side sills.  As InsideLine reports, expect metal body panels to replace the carbon fiber paneling on the concept.

In addition to the R4 EV, look for turbocharged 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines to appear on the car.

Audi's electric plans will not just be limited to its sportier vehicles.  "E-tron" will become a a company moniker similar in use to "Quattro."  So when electric versions of the A1 through A8 are released, as is planned by the company, expect them to be marketed with the E-tron badge.

Source: insideline.com

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 Lennox.... Lennox....
I want one! the back end look beutiful slick lines and shape of it is just epic to look at! :)
January 13, 2010 3:16 pm
 termigni termigni
that's hot.
January 13, 2010 3:32 pm
 alessandro alessandro
Big hole in the nose of the Audi means that car will be a rear/mid-engined like an R8.
January 13, 2010 4:12 pm
 joshg_5 joshg_5
Come on guys, the R8's originality and luring character far outpace any and all characteristics of this car. No doubt nice I suppose, but in reality, I see nothing more than a smaller -yet somehow bulkier looking-, slower, and quite frankly uglier R8. I will admit that it's a more affordable alternative for everyone else who can't afford the R8.
January 13, 2010 4:50 pm
 Edison Edison
Hopefully they manage to keep the weight down and the basic exterior and interior designs the same. If so, this will be my next car.
January 13, 2010 5:43 pm
 jaesherman jaesherman
This really smacks of Audi mating a Camaro with a Nissan Z 350. But I still want one.
January 13, 2010 6:30 pm
 maloparac maloparac
Extra! Hi! Im driving A8 4.2 FSI tiptronic DSG Quattro E-tron - leader seats nice
January 13, 2010 7:53 pm
 p2k986 p2k986
This e-Tron concept is getting boring. Audi's sport car concepts in the past few years have been following the same template. Most of the readers on this board just say this e-Tron is nice just because it is an Audi. They lack critical thinking ability. Audi concepts have not been that good, except for the Sportback(A7) last year, since Walter de Silva moved to VW. The new design chief Stefan Sielaff is a student of Walter. Even though Walter still is the boss of Stefan, Walter does not say anything bad about Stefan's concepts as long as those concepts are "good enough" and they follow the template laid out by Walter. When Walter was the design chief of Audi, those concepts he put out were very very creative and good. This e-Tron R4 has the LEAST creativity out of all the Audi concept cars in the past decade and this is the obvious truth. On the bright side, the A5 Sportback released last year is very very good. I hope the new A7 due later this year will be a good one. Audi's engines are slowly catching up with BMW's since the best engineering grads from Germany want to work for Audi.
January 13, 2010 8:36 pm
 DrPlacebo DrPlacebo
Those are called opinions and there are things called options. That's how so many manufacturers thrive. No product is for everyone.
January 14, 2010 4:34 am
 coligny coligny
Just so you know... etron... in french... mean 'turd'... I don't see that lineup doing really well in Sarkoland...
January 14, 2010 4:37 pm