The e-Tron electric concept car caught everyone’s attention last month at the Frankfurt auto show. How could it not? The car has 313 horsepower, an impressive 3,319 pounds-feet of torque — yes, 3,319 pounds-feet of torque, and a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack weighing 1,036 lbs. And, it will go from 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Audi has confirmed that the high-performance sports car will be coming out within the next two to three years. “I expect we will see running examples in the next 24 months,” Audi of America president Johan de Nysschen says. However, it is still very much a concept at this point.

The Audi e-Tron is a fully electric vehicle with a driving range of 154 miles on a charge. It recharges in six to eight hours, so when you plug it in, you will have a “full tank,” so to speak, by morning. It’s definitely not for long hauls, however.

The car will be competing with the Tesla Roadster, another high-performance electric sports car that retails at $109,000 base price.

Although electric vehicles are currently not economical options for most people, Audi is still working on electric technology for both hybrids and EVs. Nysschen says that for now electric vehicles are more about making a statement. “They’re for the intellectual elite who want to show what enlightened souls they are,” he said.

Photo: AP Images

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Chuck Burns said:

	... Interesting article. Really, 3,319 ft.lbs of torque? I'll have to investigate this. “They’re for the intellectual elite who want to show what enlightened souls they are,” Sounds like a lot of Liberals will driving this car. I like your article.
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October 08, 2009 | url
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eiweibshake said:

	... I must say this is great car and also it is from audi so it is also good enough. Also Audi must still working on electric technology for both hybrids and EVs for fuels option.
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October 08, 2009 | url
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