Audi Continues Hybrid Development But Drops R8 E-Tron

AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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is refining its hybrid strategy and will stick to creating smaller hybrids instead of focusing on the R8 e-tronAudi R8 e-tronGermany, 2011 > present3 photos
pure EV as a flagship. The brand has eschewed hybrids more than nearly any other major auto brand in the world, but it believes that now is the time for small hybrid cars. It also plans to build more natural gas vehicles in the future. 

Audi built 10 R8 e-trons for testing and development, but it has decided not to put them on sale because Audi believes that the technology is not ready for flagship vehicles yet. The large batteries needed to provide power to these cars have not become cheap enough for mass production. 

The test cars used two electric motors to get it to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 200km/h (124.27mph) with a max distance of 215km (133.59 miles).

The first car that Audi will build aiming towards its carbon-neutral future is the natural gas-fueled A3 Sportback g-tronAudi A3 Sportback TCNGGermany, 2013 > present13 photos
. It will also run on Audi's synthetic e-gas that is produced renewably from electricity produced from wind. It will go on sale later this year.

The A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid will go on sale at the end of the year with a 1.4 TSI engine and hybrid drive with 204hp and 258lb-ft of torque that can provide 50km (31 miles) of pure EV range and 940km (584 miles) of total range. It can get to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds with a top speed of 222km/h (138mph). It uses 1.5l/100km (157mpg US) and emits 35g/km of CO2. 

Audi's other upcoming model is the A1 e-tronAudi A1 e-tron conceptGermany, 2010 > 20102 photos
is a series hybrid with 114hp and 50km (31 miles) of range. There is a 34hp internal combustion engine mounted in the rear to charge the batteries. The car is currently in testing in Germany as part of the country's “Electric Mobility Showcase."

Source: Autocar