Audi A1 e-tron, A8 Hybrid shown at Geneva

The Audi A1 e-tron electric car (above) and the A8 Hybrid (below) are likely to go into production in 2011. Audi is definitely serious about its e-mobility program...

Audi, which is expanding its new e-tron range of electric cars step by step, is now showing the new A1 e-tron at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show. Fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack, the A1 e-tron has a full electric drivetrain and always drives on electric power alone. With the batteries fully charged, the car can be driven for 50km, after which a small, 254cc Wankel rotary engine kicks in as a generator and charges the batteries for extended use. The ‘range extender’ engine gives the A1 e-tron an additional 200km driving range.

The A1 e-tron’s electric motor produces 102 peak horsepower (61bhp continuous) and 240Nm of peak torque (150Nm continuous), and the car can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 10.2 seconds and has a top speed of around 130km/h. The car could be ready to go into production by 2011.

Apart from the A1 e-tron, Audi is also showing the all-new A8 Hybrid in Geneva. With a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine and a powerful electric motor, the A8 Hybrid has a total of 243bhp and 480Nm of torque, which, according to Audi, offers performance that’s equivalent to what one would get from a large six-cylinder engine.

The A8 Hybrid utilizes a parallel hybrid system where the IC engine and electric motor work together to provide excellent performance as well as fuel economy. The car can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 234km/h.

The A8 Hybrid is a full hybrid, which means it can be driven by either the petrol engine only, the electric motor only, or a combination of both. The hybrid drive can propel the car on electric power alone at up to 64km/h with a range of around 2km. The A8 Hybrid is also likely to go into production next year.