Category: Audi

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Porsche Hybrid Defeats Audi Hybrid at 83rd Le Mans

Porsche won the Le Mans 24-hour endurance sports-car race for the first time since 1998 with the first non-diesel win since 2005.

Porsche’s 2.0-litre V4 turbo Petrol A123 battery powered 919 Hybrid car took first and second places, while Audi’s R18 4.0-liter V6 Turbo Diesel flywheel powered e-tron hybrid came in third. Both carmakers are owned by German-based Volkswagen AG, the world’s second-biggest auto manufacturer.

The return of Porsche to Le Mans in 2014 after a 16-year hiatus and its subsequent victory Sunday underscore how Volkswagen is stoking in-house competition on and off the racetrack, even amid additional costs. Porsche and Audi each entered three vehicles in the fastest vehicle category, Le Mans Prototype 1, or LMP1.

“This is a very special day for us,” Matthias Mueller, Porsche’s chief executive officer, told reporters in Le Mans. “It was a great team effort.”

VW is pouring money into new vehicles, technology and factories as the company plans to surpass global industry leader Toyota Motor Corp. by 2018. Maintaining a technological edge is vital for VW’s upscale brands, which also include Bentley and Lamborghini, as they vie for affluent customers with the likes of BMW AG and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz.

Research Budget

Audi and Porsche accounted for 66 percent of Volkswagen’s operating profit in the first quarter. Volkswagen, which has one of the largest research and development budgets of any publicly traded company, is investing 85.6 billion euros ($96.1 billion) through 2019 to add models and production capacity.

Rising costs to develop electric cars and new digital features such as piloted driving are weighing on Volkswagen’s efforts to improve profitability, including a program announced a year ago to increase earnings at its namesake passenger-car brand by 5 billion euros by 2017. The manufacturer has taken steps to rein in costs companywide by sharing more parts among a wider range of vehicles.

Porsche and Audi have denied reports in recent weeks that they plan to enter Formula One car racing, citing high costs and shrinking visitor numbers. Formula One “needs to solve its problems alone,” Rupert Stadler, Audi’s CEO, said last month.

Audi and Porsche say Le Mans provides a better opportunity to test new technology that can be used later in road cars, such as lightweight construction and high-performance hybrid electric systems.

Ford Motor Co., the second-biggest U.S. carmaker, said Friday it will return to Le Mans in 2016. Competing in the GT racing class, the Dearborn, Michigan-based company will commemorate the 50th anniversary of its 1966 sweep of the top three places at the race.

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What You Need to Know About LMP1 Hybrids Leading up to Le Mans [VIDEO]

The hybridised World Endurance Championship has introduced a new version of cut and thrust racing that is very entertaining to watch but I'm not sure either Jalopnik nor the (with respect) race commentators fully understand how the very different hybrid systems interact on the track.

The video sequence features a race for position between the Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro and the Porsche 919 Hybrid. While these cars are both in the same LMP1 hybrid class, the rules allow for a large amount of technical freedom (especially when compared to many other 'control formula' International championships).

The 2015 Audi R18 features a 558 HP (410 kW) 4.0-liter Turbo Diesel V6 combustion engine driving the rear wheels with a 272 HP (200 kW) electric motor driving the front wheels. The R18 is in the 4 Megajule class with a flywheel energy storage system can store 700 kilojoules.

The Porsche 919 Hybrid features a 500 Hp (370 kW) 2.0-liter Turbo Petrol V4 combustion engine driving the rear wheels with a 400 HP (300 kW) electric motor driving the front wheels. The 919 is in the 8 Megajule class with an A123 Lithium-ion battery energy storage system and also has thermodynamic energy recuperation using the energy from exhaust gases from the turbo charger.

The energy class regulations refer to the amount of regenerated energy that can be used each lap, for example 8 megajoules equals 2.2 kWh that can be deployed around the race track (3.6 megajoules is equivalent to 1 kilowatt hour (kWh).

Like in Formula One, the energy recuperation is pre-programmed and not directly controlled by the drivers, what might be confusing is that unlike in F1 where output from the KERS systems is driver controlled via a steering wheel mounted 'boost' button, in the WEC the KERS output is also pre-programmed. In fact KERS 'boost' buttons are banned in the WEC.

The FIA specify hybrid ‘braking zones’ where teams can program energy recovery. The hybrid output can be used anywhere around the track and is calculated by race engineers pre-race to maximise the use of this energy for fastest laps times with minimal fuel burn. As a result, what we're seeing in the video above where the Porsche 919 is said to be "running out of hybrid power" is in fact the same pre-programmed energy duty cycle used by the 919 on every laps of the race. This becomes very clear watching extended in-car race footage (the FIA WEC on-line package offers full race in-car access to all works LMP1 cars). What we see as the Porsche massively out accelerates the Audi at the top of Eau Rouge is a combination of the 919 having a 60 kW advantage over the Audi and where the Porsche is pre-programmed to apply it's 4Mj of additional hybrid power. Again, the 919 drives this duty cycle every lap.

There are other very interesting differences at play such as braking performance. Where the Audi (flywheel) and Toyota (super capacitor) systems can recover a 'full charge' during high speed braking, while the Porsche (li-ion battery) has a noticeable extended high speed braking profile, e.g the 919 starts braking a longer distance before the corner, and is belived to take several braking zones to recover a 'full charge'. This is due to the asymmetric charge and discharge curves of lithium ion batteries and is partially compensated for by the thermodynamic turbo generator which makes the Porsche 919 Hybrid the only car in the field that recuperates energy not only when it brakes but also when it accelerates.

Motorsport is a technical sport and this is exactly what racing is meant to be about, advancing automotive technology.

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Audi Launch 2015 R18 E-Tron Quattro WEC

Audi Motorsport has taken the wraps off the 2015 R18 e-tron quattro scheduled to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

The new version has some big shoes to fill taking into account last year's model triumphed at Le Mans, but Audi is confident they can repeat the 2014 success thanks to a more aerodynamic body. It features larger air inlets in the redesigned front wheel arches along with reshaped headlights benefiting from matrix LED and Audi Laserlight technologies. Also new are the front wing, hood and engine cover while the monocoque has been carried over.

Audi has prepared two body configurations suitable for various tracks of the 2015 WEC calendar and they have also optimized the chassis in collaboration with Michelin. The engineers were responsible for doubling the amount of energy from 2 to 4 megajoules per race lap at Le Mans and during braking the energy recovered is then sent back to the front axle during acceleration.

The electric motor has been upgraded to 272 HP (200 kW), representing a "significant increase" compared to last year's variant while the encapsulated flywheel energy storage system can now store 700 kilojoules which is 17% more than before.

The LMP1 prototype tips the scales at just 870 kg (1,918 lbs) and now consumes 2.5% percent less diesel per lap than last year in order to meet the more stringent regulations implemented by FIA. Output of the TDI 4.0-liter V6 engine stands at 558 HP (410 kW) and only five engines will be available during the 2015 WEC season.

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Audi launch 2nd Generation Audi R8 e-tron @ Geneva

The second generation of the Audi R8 forms the basis for two models. Audi has made major engineering developments in its high-performance electric sports car, the R8 e-tron. The latest evolution of the vehicle takes up the multimaterial Audi Space Frame from the new series-production model.

The supporting structure was enhanced by a CFRP rear-section module comprising the luggage compartment. The walls of the CFRP luggage compartment well are corrugated. This way, in the event of a rear-end collision, more energy can be absorbed despite the reduced material weight.

Thanks to targeted modifications to the outer shell and on the wheels, the Audi R8 e tron achieves an aerodynamic drag coefficient (cd) value of 0.28. In terms of performance and range, the car enters entirely new dimensions.

The large T-shaped battery is structurally integrated into the center tunnel and behind the occupant cell – optimally positioned in the car. It supports the dynamics of the R8 e-tron with its low center of gravity. Audi produces the high-voltage battery itself, for the first time based on a newly developed lithium-ion technology which was specially conceived for a purely electric vehicle drive. In comparison to the first technology platform, the battery capacity has grown from 49 kWh to approximately 92 kWh. This progress was possible without changing the package.

The R8 e-tron achieves an electric range of 450 kilometers (279.6 mi) instead of a previous 215 kilometers (133.6 mi) with an energy density that has been increased from 84 Wh/kg to 154 Wh/kg and some other modifications to the car. The electrically powered high-performance sports car has the Combined Charging System (CCS) on board, which allows charging with direct and alternating current. Using this system, it is possible to fully charge the battery in significantly less than two hours.

The power is now twice 170 kW and the maximum torque twice 460 Nm (339.3 lb-ft). The R8 e-tron accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.9 seconds on its way to an electronically restricted top speed of 210 km/h (130.5 mph) or 250 km/h (155.3 mph). Intelligent energy management and an electromechanical brake system enable high energy recuperation rates. Targeted torque vectoring – needs-based distribution of power transmission between the rear wheels – ensures maximum stability and dynamism.

Audi uses the electrical high-performance sports car primarily as a mobile high-tech laboratory. Accordingly, the findings from the R8 e-tron help in creating a vehicle with a sedan character. Upon customer request, the R8 e-tron will be available for order in 2015 as an electrically powered sports car in supreme hand-built quality.

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2015 Audi R8 e-tron confirmed with 450 km range

The 2015 Audi R8 e-tron electric supercar will have 340 kW of power and a remarkable 920 Nm of torque, sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and offer a range in excess of 450 km.

The second-generation of Audi’s halo product will have more than doubles the range over the original small-batch model thanks to an increase in battery capacity from 49 kWh to approximately 92 kWh. Energy density has increased from 84 Wh/kg to 154 Wh/kg apparently without affecting packaging.

The battery powered R8 has a Combined Charging System (CCS) on board, which allows charging with direct and alternating current. Using this system, it is possible to fully charge the battery in significantly less than two hours.

The rear wheels are powered by two electric motors with specs uprated from 381 HP (280 kW) and 820 Nm (605 lb-ft) to 462 HP (340 kW) and 920 Nm (679 lb-ft). It's enough electric power to provide the Audi R8 e-tron 2.0 with a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 3.9 seconds before hitting an electronically-capped top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

Audi says the new R8 e-tron serves "primarily as a mobile high-tech laboratory" that will eventually feed into technology used in a high-volume sedan — but in the meantime, if you've got the time and the money, the Germans are willing to build you one by hand. Hopefully we'll see the car on display in Geneva next week.

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Audi aims to launch two electric vehicles by 2018

Volkswagen's premium Audi division aims to bring two purely electric vehicles to market by 2018 as it tries to catch up with rivals such as Tesla Motors and BMW.

Audi's Chief Executive Rupert Stadler told German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) in an interview to be published on Saturday that the launch of an electric sports car and a sports activity vehicle (SAV) were under way.

The SAV would be a four-wheel drive with a range of more than 500 km (310 miles) per battery load, Stadler said.

He also told FAZ that Audi's push to develop electronic drive and digital technologies would mean the division adding 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) to its investments by 2019. Audi's investment budget through 2018 amounts to 22 billion.

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First Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid drive off the assembly line in Ingolstadt

Production of the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron: Assembly – On the engine and component assembly line, the electric motor and transmission are fitted to the engine.

Approximately 50 cars every day, with the same timing and on the same assembly line as the other models: Audi is now ramping up production of the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron*. The premium manufacturer is producing its first plug-in hybrid model at the brand's main plant in Ingolstadt.

"We started series production of the Audi A3 Sportback e‑tron in the summer," said Dr. Hubert Waltl, Board of Management Member for Production at AUDI AG. "Most of the assembly work is integrated into the A3 line; no separate manufacturing is necessary. That demonstrates the flexibility and efficiency of our production planners and employees."

With the Audi A3 Sportback e‑tron, Audi is launching the mobility of the future. The compact five‑door combines a 1.4 TFSI combustion engine with a 75 kW electric motor, resulting in a total system output of 150 kW (204 horsepower). Despite the sporty driving performance, fuel consumption in the NEDC is just 1.5 liters per 100 kilometers (35 grams of CO2 per kilometer). The A3 Sportback e‑tron can travel up to 50 kilometers in purely electric mode and up to 890 kilometers more with the gasoline engine.

"We first of all ramped up production of the A3 Sportback e‑tron to about 30 cars a day in September," explained Board of Management member for Production Waltl. "Our peak is approximately 50 units each day now. In any case, we are keeping additional capacity available."

Peter Kössler, head of the Ingolstadt plant, stated: "Working with high‑voltage systems in series production was a new challenge for us, but we mastered it well. At all stages of assembly, we achieve maximum levels of safety for our employees and quality for our customers."

Safety is given top priority during the entire assembly process. All the employees who come into contact with the A3 Sportback e‑tron have received technical safety instructions for the new technology; some employee who are directly involved are qualified as specialist electricians for automotive technology.

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Porsche Readying Tesla Model S Fighter

The German automaker is currently in the early stages of development for an EV that will target the Tesla Model S and will be a new dedicated fifth model range slotting beneath the existing Panamera. While details on Porsche’s first all-electric production vehicle are mostly being kept under wraps at the moment, it will likely be built on the automaker’s second-generation MSB platform that underpins the current Panamera.

It will have a shorter wheelbase than the existing Panamera sedan but will be a five-door hatchback, similar in style to the Panamera Sport Turismo concept that debuted at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The company is hoping to keep it around 2,100 kg and its electric powertrain will provide similar performance as the Model S, though Tesla did just announced the more powerful all-wheel drive Model S P85D.

Porsche is aiming for a range of over 450 km and the company is expected to work with Audi, so we expect they will also use solid-state batteries.

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Audi Confirm Tesla Model S Rival with 450 km Range for 2017

According to a report by Auto Express, Audi is also looking to join the electric vehicle sedan market with its own offering sporting a 450 km (280-mile) all-electric range.

The vehicle is currently under development according to Audi’s Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, who also revealed that it will arrive in 2017 as an all-new model.

In the interview, Hackenberg said that he was “able to re-engineer the R8 e-tron project and technology with the team” and confirmed that it will not be a sports car.

The German automaker will use next-generation batteries in order to achieve the 450 km range, technology that is said to have up to five times more energy density than the current batteries used in vehicles such as the Volkswagen e-Golf.

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VW Chairman thinks solid-state batteries can deliver 700 km range

Following persistent news leaks from 'highly placed insiders' about an all-electric version of Audi's upcoming Q8 sports SUV with 700 km battery range, VW Chairman Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, has hinted at the battery technology Audi may use to achieve that range.

In a speech at Stanford University, during the award of the 3rd Science Award for Electrochemistry, Dr Winterkorn said he sees great potential in solid-state batteries.

"Increasing the specific energy of lithium-ion cells to as much as 380 Wh/l will reduce driving range drawbacks.

With a higher nickel content, much more will be feasible.

But we also need to intensify basic research into batteries with an even greater specific energy, such as solid-state batteries.

I see great potential in this new technology, possibly boosting the range to as much as 700 kilometers (1,000 Wh/l)."

In March we reported that VW were bench testing new battery chemistry capable of providing "between three and four times the power" from a given capacity. This would mean up to 80kWh from a similar volume occupied by the current Golf Blue-e-motion's 26.5kWh battery pack.

Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser, VW board member responsible for development, speaking at the Geneva motor show, refused to name the battery chemistry, but doesn’t deny it is a lithium-air unit, which are capable of delivering huge amounts of power, but are in the very early stages of development.

Given Dr Winterkorn's statement that current energy density with lithium-ion batteries, which allow a range of 190 kilometers, is 260 Wh/l and in the same speech he references solid-state batteries @ 1,000 wh/l, a 4x increase, I think it becomes clear this is the chemistry VW are bench testing.

The Science Award Electrochemistry was initiated by BASF and Volkswagen in 2012. The aim being to foster exceptional scientific and engineering achievements in electrochemistry and to provide an incentive for the development of high-performance energy storage.

Source: VW

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LG Chem wins battery order from Audi for plug-in hybrid cars [VIDEO]

South Korea's LG Chem said on Wednesday it had won an order from Audi to supply batteries for its plug-in hybrid and micro hybrid electric vehicles.

LG Chem said the deal was "worth hundreds of millions of dollars" but declined to give further details. It said it expected to win more such orders from Audi parent Volkswagen in the future.

LG Chem, which has secured a total of 20 customers including General Motors, also it aims to achieve combined sales of over $10 billion from large-sized batteries by 2018.

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Audi planning to challenge Tesla with 500-700 km range EVs

Audi this week proudly launched their first plug-in hybrid, the A3 Sportback e-tron, a full 17 years after the Prius.

Auto Bild has revealed Audi plans to catch-up with the competition in automotive electrification with two purely electric Audi SUV, the A2Q and Q6 expected around 2017/18.

A2Q with up to 500 km electric range

If the expected advances in battery technology are true, the compact A2Q, expected in 2016, will have 500 km battery range. Seen as a competitor against BMW's i3, Audi will not develop a completely new electric platform but uses the familiar MQB modular architecture of Golf/A3.

Audi Q6 as Tesla competitor

The Q6, internally designated within Audi as the Tesla Fighter, is expected to be a coupe-like offshoot of the Q5 and come with 700 km battery range with a launch date around 2017. A larger battery powered Q7/8 is also expected around 2017.

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Audi’s first plug-in hybrid – A3 Sportback e-tron – now on sale in EU

The first plug-in hybrid from Audi, the A3 Sportback e-tron, is now available to order for customers in Europe. Approximately 410 Audi dealers in Europe – including no fewer than 105 in Germany – are selling the A3 e-tron at a basic price of 37,900 euros on the German market. An individual installation check, the “e-tron plus” special package and “green” power from Audi complete the offering for the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron. The compact electric car will be handed over to its first customers this winter.

“For Audi, the A3 Sportback e-tron marks another important step toward sustainable individual mobility,” states Wayne Griffiths, Head of Sales Germany at AUDI AG. “Our dealers have had an entirely positive response to the A3 Sportback e-tron, which shows that the combination of efficient drive technology and a sustainable energy source is really what the market is looking for.”

The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron brings together a 1.4 TFSI gasoline engine and an electric motor, giving the compact automobile a system output of 150 kW (204 hp). The A3 Sportback e-tron’s fuel consumption in accordance with the NEDC standard for plug-in hybrid vehicles is just 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (156.8 US mpg), with CO2 emissions of 35 grams per kilometer (56.3 g/mi). Under electric power alone it has a range of 50 kilometers (31.1 mi), and over 900 kilometers (559.2 mi) in combined mode. The basic price for the Audi A3 e-tron in Germany is 37,900 euros. Audi is also offering attractive leasing conditions: 319 euros per month with a term of 36 months.

In Germany, the plug-in hybrid will be sold by 105 selected e-tron dealers; across Europe approximately 410 dealerships will sell the model. Their employees are receiving special training in sales and service relating to electric vehicles. Between mid-July and the end of August, Audi is providing training to around 2,000 sales, service and used car employees from all over Europe at its Training Center next to Munich. In addition, some 300 German high-voltage technicians and service advisors from Audi will undertake a technical training course at the Service Training Center in Neckarsulm.

In future, every e-tron dealer will also have at least one charging station that e-tron customers can use, even after their purchase. The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron can be charged quickly via a charging point at the dealership, within the public charging infrastructure or at the customer’s home. For the latter option, Audi offers – in Germany – an individual installation service whereby a technician checks the electrics in the customer’s home, makes any adjustments that may be required and installs the charging dock, which is designed for safe, convenient charging.

To ensure that sustainability is not compromised during the at-home charging process, customers in Germany can switch to environmentally friendly electricity, known as Audi energy. With Audi energy, the A3 Sportback e-tron is totally emission-free when operated electrically. All electricity all comes from hydroelectric power stations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. To mark the start of the A3 Sportback e-tron, Audi has additionally put together the attractive “e-tron plus” package. In Germany it includes the charging dock, a cable for public charging points, MMI navigation plus, Audi connect and phone box.

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Audi may move to 4MJ Hybrid class for 2015 WEC

Audi looks certain to continue racing its Le Mans 24 Hours-winning R18 e-tron quattro LMP1 with only one hybrid system in next year's World Endurance Championship.

Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich told AUTOSPORT that no major changes to the concept of the R18 turbodiesel were planned in the development drive to increase the LMP1 car's level of energy retrieval for 2015.

Asked if that meant there would be no second system to supplement the 2014 R18's front-axle braking retrieval system, he said: "We will try to do what is possible in a short period of time.

"We must be more competitive, but we must be reliable. There will not be big concept steps.

"We will try to have a little bit more hybrid power: we have talked ideas of what we can do on the basis of this car."

The R18 runs in the two-megajoule P1 sub-class, whereas rivals Toyota and Porsche, which respectively have second rear-axle and exhaust-driven systems, are entered in the 6MJ division.

Ullrich's comments suggest that Audi is trying to at least move up one class to the 4MJ category.

Audi abandoned a second, Formula 1-style turbo-driven retrieval system ahead of the start of the season.

Ullrich said that the sale of Williams Hybrid Power, which developed its flywheel energy-storage system, to global engineering group GKN in April would not affect its LMP1 programme.

"We will get support at least at the level we had before, so we are not concerned," he explained.

"The existing flywheel technology is not at its limit."

The GKN flywheel used by Audi has a maximum storage capacity of 1.2 MJ of energy while the supercapacitor used by Toyota can store up to 6 MJ.

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Audi plans plug-in hybrid offensive

Audi plans to launch at least four plug-in hybrid cars as it bets on the technology to counter rival BMW's electric car offensive.

Audi will roll out the A3 Sportback E-tron, its first plug-in hybrid, in Europe this month. U.S. sales are expected to begin in the second or third quarter of 2015, while China deliveries will start in the first or second quarter of next year.

The model will compete with cars such as the battery-powered BMW i3 in a bid to win customers looking for environmentally friendly vehicles.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said today the A3 Sportback E-tron will be followed by other plug-in hybrids.

"We strongly believe in plug-in hybrids and we will add a new model each year, beginning with the Q7 next year, followed by the A6 long-wheelbase sedan for China and the A8," Stadler said on the sidelines of the A3 Sportback E-tron's introduction here.

Audi believes plug-in hybrids are the best solution for low-emission vehicles because they don't face the same range constraints as battery-powered vehicles. Plug-in hybrids use a conventional internal combustion engine but can also run on electric power with zero emissions.

“Plug-in hybrids are electric vehicles for everyday driving, exactly what our customers are asking for,” Stadler said.

The A3 Sportback E-tron can be driven under electric power for about 30 miles. Using the gasoline engine, it has a 373-mile range. BMW's i3 has a driving range of up to 100 miles, rising to about 187 miles for the version with a range extender.

Audi’s approach to clean-car technology diverges from the path taken by BMW, which created the “i” subbrand to showcase its environmental technology. The i3 city car and the plug-in hybrid i8 supercar have plastic exterior body panels and distinctive styling to make them stand out from other cars on the road.

“BMW created a product that is totally different,” while Audi as well as Mercedes-Benz “try to integrate e-mobility into their existing vehicles,” said Christian Breitsprecher, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Macquarie Europe. The advantage for Audi and Mercedes is “if there’s lots of demand, they can produce a lot. If not, they can allocate the capacity to their normal cars.”

Stadler said he could not give a figure for how may plug-in hybrids Audi will sell. "Plug-in hybrids could account for 10 percent to 20 percent, even 40 percent of the 2 million units we plan to build annually by 2020. It will be our customers who decide, and we are ready to satisfy their demand,” he said.

“Plug-in hybrids are fully integrated in our platforms and production process, so we are beginning with the A3 E-tron in Germany, but the same technology could be applied to the production lines we have in China and in Mexico,” Stadler added.

Extra cost

Audi's approach may keep spending under control, but the question is whether customers will pay the extra cost for technology that’s not evident from the curbside.

The A3 Sportback E-tron looks identical to its conventional A3 counterpart and starts at 37,900 euros ($51,700) in Germany. That’s 15,100 euros more than the base gasoline-powered version of the A3.

Hiding its green technology under the hood could be a risk for Audi. Inroads by electric-car maker Tesla Motors into the luxury-car segment show that wealthy drivers are ready to buy upscale green cars, if they get noticed. That goes for the BMW i3 as well. Demand for the car prompted BMW to triple production of carbon fiber, which is used for the passenger compartment.

“In an i3 and the Tesla, the attributes of luxury, modern technology and protecting the environment are clearly visible to everyone,” Breitsprecher said. The Audi plug-in “doesn’t show off that the consumer paid extra.”

Still, the threat for Audi is more to its image as a technology leader, with demand for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles expected to remain restrained. The segment is forecast to account for just 5.7 percent of global auto production in 2019, according to IHS Automotive.

In Germany, Audi is selling the A3 Sportback E-tron via a network of 100 selected dealerships where service employees have been trained to work with high-voltage technology. The E-tron dealerships have an electric charging station that customers can use free of charge during business hours.

The A3 E-tron has a 150 hp 1.4-liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine and a 102 hp electric motor housed within the six-speed dual clutch transmission. As the two power sources never work together at full force, combined system power is 204 hp, Audi said. Top speed is 137 mph in hybrid mode and 80 mph in pure electric mode.

Audi said it takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to fully recharge the lithium ion 8.8 kWh battery from a 200 volt household outlet. With an industrial 380 volt charging station, recharging time decreases to 2 hours and 15 minutes, the company said.

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Audi Plans Range of High-Performance Electric Cars

Audi has drawn up blueprints for a wider range of high-performance electric cars to help it take on German rivals and U.S. firm Tesla Motors, according to sources at the carmaker.

Tesla has managed to stay ahead of the pack with new technology, which has extended driving range and reduced costs. Its success and the excitement about BMW's new "i" electric series have caught the attention of Audi, which some analysts have said risks looking like a laggard in an industry where innovation is a major draw for customers.

Audi, a unit of Volkswagen, is about to launch its first purely electric car, a battery-powered version of its R8 supercar, which is due to hit European dealerships in 2015. It will offer a driving range of 450 km (280 miles), close to the 502 km of Tesla's top-selling Model S luxury saloon.

Meanwhile, Audi has scaled up its electric car plans, having devised blueprints for several high-performance electric saloons and sport-utility vehicles, two company sources told Reuters, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential.

VW declined to comment. Audi did not return calls seeking comment. The manufacturer has shown various hybrid and purely electric concept cars since about 2009, but the latest blueprints stand a bigger chance of getting the nod for production after it lately overcame range limits.

"Germany's major carmakers all have their electric car plans ready in the drawer," Hanover-based NordLB analyst Frank Schwope said. "They want to be prepared when demand accelerates," he said. The sources at Audi did not specify how many models were being planned or the scale of any production plans.

They said, however, that one of the blueprints is for an electric version of a new Q8 SUV that would pit the brand against Tesla's forthcoming Model X. Audi has defined a range target of about 400 km for any future electric model it aims to develop, the sources said.

Audi's plans will be helped by steps underway to upgrade a production platform dubbed MLB that already underpins larger models across the VW group, such as the Audi A8 saloon and Porsche Cayenne SUV, and would cut costs for electric cars.

INNOVATIONS

Sales of electric cars are expected to surge to 2.7 million globally by 2018 from 180,000 last year as more models come to market, battery costs fall and the number of charging stations grows, according to business consultancy Frost & Sullivan. While mid-market battery cars such as the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf have missed sales targets, there has been more buoyant demand for premium offerings. Germany's three leading luxury carmakers are all advancing on the electric market.

Rival BMW has launched its "i" series of electric models, including a 34,950 euro ($47,400) city car, while Mercedes, whose parent Daimler owns a 4.3 percent stake in Tesla, started production in April of its B-Class electric compact.

Tesla has devised innovations that have cut the cost and raised the safety of battery packs. Its models also recharge more quickly than those of rivals, thanks to its connectors, software and efficient power management.

But the California-based company is now facing its own challenges related to scaling up further after its success. It said last week it would share its patents with competitors in hopes of speeding up development of electric cars across the industry.

Tesla executives have also met counterparts from BMW to discuss ways to promote electric cars which analysts say must include steps to create a common infrastructure and share the cost of building recharging stations.

Audi's electric-car moves highlight a change of tack at VW. In 2012 Audi shelved the R8 e-tron at request of its parent as efforts to expand the model's driving range had stalled at only 215 km.

Audi, which has since swapped R&D chiefs, has overcome the range limits by increasing the efficiency of the electric drivetrain and curbing on-board power consumption, development chief Ulrich Hackenberg has said.

"Electric mobility is a key focus of our development strategy," he said in March. "We are ideally prepared for the future with our strategic roadmap and a well-filled development pipeline."

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Audi unveil TT plug-in hybrid SUV concept car

The Audi TT offroad concept breaks the mold, combining the sportiness of a coupe with the lifestyle and utility of a compact SUV. The four-door model, which Audi is presenting at the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition, adds an entirely new expression to the Audi design language. Its plug-in hybrid drive with two electric motors and a system output of 300 kW (408 hp) provides for dynamic performance, yet consumes on average just 1.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (123.8 US mpg).

“The Audi TT offroad concept provides a glimpse of how we might imagine a new model in the future TT family,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development. “It combines the sporty genes of the TT with the strengths of a compact Audi SUV. Its plug‑in hybrid drive with the option of inductive charging is a major step toward the mobility of the future. We chose to present the Audi TT offroad concept in China, our second domestic market, because it represents the urban mobility of tomorrow: It is sustainable, dynamic, intelligent and connected.”

The plug-in hybrid drive

The plug‑in hybrid drive in the Audi TT offroad concept delivers 300 kW (408 hp) of system output and 650 Nm (479.2 lb‑ft) of system torque. The show car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.2 seconds and reaches the electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph) without any trouble. It consumes just 1.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (123.8 US mpg), a CO2 equivalent of 45 grams per kilometer (72.4 g/mile).

The Audi TT offroad concept can drive over 50 kilometers (31.1 miles) solely on electric power and thus with zero local emissions, and has a total range of up to 880 kilometers (546.8 miles).

The combustion engine is a 2.0 TFSI producing 215 kW (292 hp) and 380 Nm (280.3 lb‑ft) of torque. The two-liter, four‑cylinder unit with the large turbocharger is packed with Audi's potent efficiency technology. At part load, indirect injection supplements gasoline direct injection for lower fuel consumption. The exhaust manifold is integrated into the cylinder head – the foundation for the high-performance thermal management system.

A separating clutch links the transverse 2.0 TFSI to an electric motor producing 40 kW and 220 Nm (162.3 lb‑ft) of torque. The slim, disc-shaped electric motor is integrated into the six-speed e‑S tronic. The dual-clutch transmissions sends the torque to the front wheels. Mounted on the rear axle of the Audi TT offroad concept is a second electric motor independent of this drive unit. This produces a maximum of 85 kW and 270 Nm (199.1 lb‑ft).

In front of the rear axle is a liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery comprising eight modules. It contributes to the balanced 54:46 weight distribution between the front and rear axles and to the low center of gravity. The battery stores up to 12 kWh of energy, enough for an electric range of 50 kilometers (31.1 miles). An Audi wall box, which manages the energy feed conveniently and intelligently and can deal with a variety of voltages and outlets, is used for stationary charging.

The show car is also designed for use with Audi Wireless Charging technology for contactless inductive charging. The infrastructure side – a plate with a coil and an inverter (AC/AC converter) – is placed on the parking spot of the Audi TT offroad concept and connected to the power grid. The charging process begins automatically when the car drives onto the plate. The alternating magnetic field of the infrastructure side induces a 3.3 kW alternating current across the air gap in the secondary coil, which is integrated into the vehicle. The current is inverted and fed into the electrical system.

Charging stops automatically when the battery is fully charged. It takes about as long as charging via a cable, and the driver can interrupt the process at any time. The Audi Wireless Charging technology is more than 90 percent efficient, and is not affected by weather factors such as rain, snow or ice. The alternating field, which is only generated when a car is on the plate, is not harmful for people or animals.

The intelligent plug‑in hybrid concept of the Audi TT offroad concept really shines when driving, making the show car every bit as efficient as it is sporty. The Audi drive select management system offers three driving modes. EV mode gives priority to electric driving. In this case, the front drive unit is inactive, and the electric motor at the rear axle with its powerful torque can rapidly accelerate the four‑door car to a maximum of 130 km/h (80.8 mph). In Hybrid mode, all three drives work together in various ways as necessary. In many situations the front electric motor assumes the role of a generator.

Powered by the engine, it recharges the battery and thus extends the electric range. Full system output is available in Sport mode. During “boosting,” i.e. strong acceleration, the rear electric motor works together with the 2.0 TFSI. The same thing happens when the hybrid management system decides that all‑wheel drive is appropriate. In such situations, e.g. on a slippery road or in light off-road conditions, this essentially makes the Audi TT offroad concept an e‑tron quattro.

When the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator, free-wheeling or “coasting” is activated. Recuperation occurs here at low speeds and when braking. The driver can use the “Hold” and “Charge” functions in the MMI system to specifically influence the battery's charge state, e.g. to increase storage of electric energy so that it can be used over the final kilometers to the destination.

Chassis

The Audi TT offroad concept shows its strong character on any road surface and in any terrain. On asphalt the show car is sporty and composed, and it can easily handle light terrain thanks to its high ground clearance, short overhangs and e‑tron quattro all-wheel drive. 255/40-series tires are mounted on 21‑inch wheels, whose delicate five-arm design draws on the look of the Audi e‑tron models. Dark trim provides contrast.

Many of the components of the McPherson front suspension are made of aluminum; the four‑link rear axle handles longitudinal and transverse forces separately. The ratio of the progressive steering changes with the steering input. The Audi drive select system allows the driver to modify the function of various technical modules in multiple steps.

Driver assistance systems

The Audi TT offroad concept show car features two Audi driver assistance systems that are almost ready for production: the intersection assistant and online traffic light information technology. The intersection assistant aims to help to avoid side-impact collisions, or reduce their severity, where lanes merge and at intersections. Radar sensors and a wide-angle video camera scan zones to the front and sides of the car. If the system detects a vehicle approaching from the side and assesses it to be critical, graduated warnings are displayed in the Audi virtual cockpit.

Online traffic light information is a technology that connects the Audi TT offroad concept via the cell phone network to the central traffic computer, which controls the traffic light systems in the city. Based on the information from this system, the Audi virtual cockpit shows the driver what speed to drive in order to reach the next traffic light while it is green. The cockpit displays the time remaining when waiting for the light to turn green.

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1,000-hp AWD hybrids to dominate 2014 Le Mans

There's no more popular saying in the world of motorsport than "racing improves the breed". Although in most cases, most racing series require strict rules on technology to keep races competitive and costs down, that's rarely the case.

The one place where automakers still push the limits of technology? The 24 Hours of Le Mans, which this year will feature three machines from Toyota, Audi and Porsche that offer radically different paths to cars of the future — hybrid, all-wheel-drive ones at that.

The favorite comes from Audi; they've won 12 times at Le Mans since 2000, and in one of the two races it didn't win the Audi machinery still won under the Bentley brand. The R18 e-tron quattro the company drove through the streets of western France earlier this week features the latest changes to the winning strategy, with a 4-liter, turbocharged V-6 diesel engine paired with a flywheel hybrid system for maximum fuel efficiency. That flywheel powers the front wheels, and a second system recaptures energy from the heat of the exhaust.

Toyota has been attempting to challenge Audi in endurance racing for a few years, making some progress and winning a couple of races, but never breaking through the German automaker's dominace. For this year's TS040 model, Toyota revised its entire system, adding a front-wheel-drive to the 3.7-liter V-8 supercapacitor powered hybrid from last year. In total, Toyota says the setup can generate nearly 1,000 hp, while using 25 percent less fuel than last year's vehicles as required by Le Mans rules for 2014.

The most interesting new model comes from Porsche, which hasn't raced in the top class at Le Mans for 16 years. The 919 Hybrid combines a battery pack and Formula 1-style hybrid energy system similar to what Porsche uses in the 918 supercar with a turbocharged V-4 engine — a configuration chosen to save weight and space. Porsche executives call the 919 the most complicated machine the company has ever built, and despite living under the same Volkswagen corporate roof as Audi, there's no apparent sharing between teams or slack in competition.

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Audi to build A6 E-Tron Plug-In Hybrid In China

Together with its Chinese joint-venture partner FAW, Audi is to launch a plug-in hybrid car for the Chinese market. The Audi A6 e-tron will be based on the long-wheelbase version of the Audi A6, which is already produced in China, and will be specially developed for the most important market of the German premium manufacturer.

"We are shaping the future of electric mobility in China," stated Prof. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. The efficient full-size sedan with a 50-kilometer range when operating solely under battery power is to be produced within the joint venture by FAW-Volkswagen in Changchun in northern China.

Zhang Pijie, President of FAW-Volkswagen: "Audi and FAW have been cooperating closely for more than 25 years. Together, we have built up the premium segment in China. Now we are cooperating on the next generation of automobiles." The two types of drive system of the plug-in hybrid technology offer customers emission-free driving with electric drive and unlimited range with the additional combustion engine.

The Audi A6 e-tron is equipped with the latest battery technology and represents another milestone in Audi's efficiency program in China. The Audi Group is pushing ahead with its activities in the area of electric mobility under the Audi e-tron heading. The focus is on a holistic approach. All systems and components are coordinated to work together optimally. This allows Audi to further reduce its cars' CO2 emissions and creates a basis for CO2-neutral mobility.

The brand with the four rings is the first manufacturer to equip all of its models produced locally in China with efficient start-stop technology and kinetic energy recovery systems. Audi was already a pioneer in 2012 with the integration of lightweight components in local production. Since the beginning of the efficiency program with FAW-Volkswagen in 2011, Audi has reduced the average fuel consumption of the models it produces in China by more than 20 percent.

"We are the market leader in China's premium segment and will continue systematically with the application of efficiency technologies. Audi is thus supporting the Chinese government's targets for the reduction of fuel consumption," stated Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, President of Audi China and Head of the China Region at AUDI AG. Starting this year, the company produces engines complying with the efficient Euro 6 standards in Changchun. Audi already offers its Chinese customers a wide range of imported hybrid models (the Audi Q5 hybrid quattro*, Audi A6 hybrid* and Audi A8 L hybrid*). The Audi A3 e-tron* plug-in hybrid will also come to China.

Strict efficiency criteria apply to the construction and operation of Audi's new factory with FAW-Volkswagen in Foshan, southern China. This is where the Audi A3 Sportback* is produced, which had its market launch on March 21. The Audi A3 Sedan* from Foshan will follow before the end of this year. In 2013, the brand with the four rings delivered 491,989 cars in China (including Hong Kong), an increase of 21 percent compared with 2012.