Audi e-tron in the Coming Years

Audi will be launching the Q5 Hybrid in late 2010 (maybe early 2011), but that's just the beginning. The A8 hybrid concept is being debuted along with the A1 e-tron in Geneva. A small series of the e-tron (E-REV) will be built and sold in limited numbers by the end of 2012.  And it's the e-tron name Audi wants you to remember.

Audi A8 pictured

"Just as “quattro” has become a synonym for all-wheel drive, so “e-tron” is to be the Audi brand name for electric mobility." said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG in a statement.

Audi has been creating an e-performance project house since 2009, with support from the Federal German Ministry for Education and Research. They have been working on the development of a new overall electric vehicle concept, including the body, battery and power electronics.

A1 e-tron
The A1 e-tron concept is an E-REV with 50 km (31 miles) of all electric range, followed by a range extension powered by a single-rotor Wankel engine of about 200 km (124 miles). 

The average fuel consumption is 1.9 liters per 100 km (1248 mpg) with CO2 emissions of 45 g/km (72.42 g/mile).

Audi A8 Hybrid.
The A8 Hybrid combines a 2.0 TFSI engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 245 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.  That's about the equivalent of a six cylinder engine, but the fuel efficiency has been raised significantly at the same time.  Average fuel consumption was rated at 38 mpg or 232 g/mile.

The hybrid engine is set in parallel, with the electric motor and gas engine capable of moving the vehicle in certain situations.  The electric motor can move the car up tot 60 mph and can last for more than 2 km (1.2 miles).