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Audi R4 – The e-tron becomes real

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It turns out that Audi haven’t just been sitting around waiting for the hydrogen economy, they’ve been working on electric sports cars. This is the Audio R4, based on the e-tron concept they showed off at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year. The R4 range will sit between the TT and R8 models in the Audi sports car pecking order with the electric R4 the top-of-the line model in the R4 lineup. Petrol versions will feature further down the food chain. The chassis will be co-developed with Porsche and we’ll probably see variants of it under the Boxster and Cayman.

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The R4 will be a Quattro with 2 electric motors on each axle being driven by lithium ion batteries. Numbers like 300hp, 0 – 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and one hundred besquillion torques and 4,500Nm of torque are being thrown around. The battery will likely weigh 470kg and give a range of 250 kilometers whilst dragging an overall weight of 1,500kg. Plans are to have it in the showroom by 2012 by which time technology will have changed and we’ll be laughing at it because it can’t break the sound barrier. Should give the Tesla a run for it’s money. A very quiet run. Price? Yeah check back in 2012.

It mixes the compact, squat proportions of the e-tron concept car with amazing design cues such as those LED C-shaped headlights, along with a trademark Audi grille and scalloped sides. Seen here in targa-topped roadster trim, it will also be available as a coupe and a drop-top.

Tags: audi, electric+car, audi+r4, electric+sports+car

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