Audi’s A1 e-tron, introduced at the Geneva Motor Show (earlier post), is a range-extended electric city concept vehicle featuring a 75 kW (102 hp) peak power electric traction motor and a single-rotor single-rotor Wankel engine coupled with an electrical generator with a charge rating of up to 15 kW.

The four-passenger, two-door mega city vehicle (MCV) car can drive 50 kilometers (31 miles) emission-free in city traffic on its 12 kWh battery pack before the range extender kicks in. The Audi A1 e-tron was designed specifically for use in the metropolitan areas of Europe and North America and in the rapidly growing megacities of Asia and South America.

Motor and power electronics. The synchronous electric motor of the Audi A1 e-tron is mounted transversely at the front of the car. Its low mounting position has a positive effect on the vehicle’s center of gravity. Continuous output is rated at 45 kW (61 hp), with peak power of 75 kW (102 hp) available in short bursts. 150 N·m (111 lb-ft) of torque is continuously available, and peak torque is 240 N·m (177 lb-ft).

The electric motor sends its power to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. The retractable selector lever on the console of the center tunnel used to choose between “Drive,” “Reverse,” and “Neutral” was taken from the first Audi e-tron.

The power electronics are mounted in the engine compartment above the electric motor. The most important components are the pulse-controlled inverter, which serves as the controller between the electric motor and the battery; the DC converter, which connects the high-voltage network with the 14 volt electrical system; a breaker unit to protect the high-voltage components; and the charging module.

Audi has developed a proprietary thermal management system to keep the battery, the electric motor, and the power electronics within their respective ideal temperature windows.

The socket for the standard charging plug is located behind the rings in the single-frame grille of the Audi A1 e-tron. A fully depleted battery can be recharged in approximately three hours from the 380 volt grid. A display immediately adjacent to the plug-in connection shows the current charge status and the charging time remaining.

The concept of the innovative Mega City Vehicle requires the electrification of key auxiliaries. The refrigerant compressor of the climate control system, for example, is electrically powered by a high-voltage electric motor that supplies only the amount of power needed at the time.

This increases system efficiency substantially compared to conventional concepts. Via a special circuit, the climate control loop also functions as a heat pump that regulates the temperature of the cabin and the battery.

The power steering of the Audi A1 e-tron is electro-mechanical. An electronic brake system makes it possible to tap into the recuperation potential of the electric motors. A hydraulic fixed-caliper brake is mounted on the front axle, with two novel electrically-actuated floating-caliper brakes mounted on the rear axle. These floating calipers are actuated not by any mechanical or hydraulic transfer elements, but rather by wire (“brake by wire”). This eliminates frictional losses due to residual slip when the brakes are not being applied. In addition, the servo unit received a new, demand-controlled electric vacuum pump.

The Audi Nero is part of a design challenge sponsored by the LA auto show.

The challenge invited designers from 10 of the top design studios to come up with future transport concepts for 10, 20 and 30 years into the future.
Audi’s Nero concept is meant as the ultimate vehicle to go nightclubbing in.
The Nero’s sinister lines and elongated dimensions make for a batmobile-esq appearance, no doubt impressive in the flesh.

The Audi Nero’s covered wheel arches are similar to the ones used on the Audi RSQ concept featured in the movie ‘I, robot’

This concept is an homage to the legendary streamlined record-breaking racers Auto Union developed in the 1930’s. An image of motion: clean, sleek, and powerful.The aerodynamic surfaces, covered wheels, and low ground clearance create a stealthy modern interpretation of its inspirational ancestors.

The sinister carbon black color was chosen to reflect the mood of L.A. at night. Its strong silhouette is punctuated with compelling technical details.

The aggressive front end is followed by a translucent hood that showcases an engine which is a work of art in its own right. This super coupe is an expression of pure power, speed, and style that is sure to turn any night on the town into an adventure.

AUDI CALAMARO

The Audi Calamaro Concept Car was developed by a designer Tibor for a design competition, organized by Porsche Hungary. This futuristic flying concept car looks like a cross between a speed boat and a plane.

According to the designer, the shape is inspired by “the bone of the cuttlefish”.


We can’t see any propellers, tires or thrusters. We can only assume it will be powered by a new type of power source that hasn’t been developed yet. It is a very interesting concept, but in addition to the unknown futuristic engine it makes us ask how will it park or turn? Perhaps like the cars in Back To the Future sequel.

The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by AUDI AG’s high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is similar to the Lamborghini Gallardo. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame, and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi’s ‘aluminium site’ at Neckarsulmn Germany.

In 2005, Audi announced that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, appearing at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show, and 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype. 

The Audi R8 is used as a safety car in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and British Superbike Championship racing series.

To produce the R8 at quattro GmbH, seventy workers fit 5,000 unique parts by hand. The factory at Neckarsulm, redeveloped at a cost of €28 million, usually produces between eight and fifteen cars a day, up to a maximum daily output of 29 cars. Ninety-five lasers inspect the entire car in five seconds to ensure that over 220 measurements are within 0.1 millimeters of the programmed plans.


The Audi R8 was initially equipped with a 4.2 litre V8 internal combustion engine. Specifically, it is an all-aluminium alloy 32-valve (four valves per cylinder) petrol engine, utilizing Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), and has a displacement of 4,163 cubic centimeters . It develops a motive power output of 309 kilowatts , and generates 430newton metres  of torque, on 98 RON ’Super Unleaded’ petrol. It is basically the same engine used in the Audi  RS4, but is modified to use dry sump lubrication system. This V8 is a highly reworked, high-revving variant from the existing 4.2 litre V8, but includes cylinder-direct fuel injection (Fuel Stratified Injection), and four valves per cylinder, instead of five (as used on the previous non-FSI variants). It also uses two chain-driven double overhead camshafts percylinder bank, and utilizes variable valve timing for both inlet and exhaust camshafts.