Audi to develop Tesla Model S all-electric rival

[fordpower]

The Tesla Model S has a rival. Audi is to develop all-electric family car. This is to be a family car that will offer an all-electric range of 280 miles (450 kilometers), according to Auto Express, which reported that the vehicle is under development and is to arrive in 2017. Audi's technical development chief Ulrich Hackenberg told Auto Express, "I was able to reengineer the R8 e-tron project and technology with the team and we are on the way to a range of 450km (280 miles)." Auto Express reporter Jonathan Burn said the all-electric family car is expected to adopt a saloon style body to allow for better packaging. "The larger surface area of a saloon would allow for the bigger and more powerful batteries to be stowed beneath the floor of the car so to not encroach on boot or passenger space."

http://m.phys.org/news/2014-11-audi-tesla-all-electric-rival.html

[thekeemo]

finally competition

[MrSuperb]

so Audi needs "next-generation batteries" to achieve the same range as tesla ...

[bob345]

Competition in the electric car space is good. I have a hard time seeing audi competing with tesla in performance though.

[SpaceSquid]

Audi A8 E-Tron pls

[Kyuubixchidori]

Competition in the electric car space is good. I have a hard time seeing audi competing with tesla in performance though.

eh, audi has the handling parts and experience down. then with electric motors its just finding the balance between power and range

[dizmo]

Exciting news! I imagine they should be able to put forth one that will definitely rival the Tesla in terms of performance and price.

While Tesla seems to be more interested in just getting the car out there, Audi has the power of the VAG and it's wealth of parts behind them.

Thus their margins should be a lot better.

 

finally competition

Agreed!

Can't wait to see electronic cars come flooding out. It's been too long.

 

so Audi needs "next-generation batteries" to achieve the same range as tesla ...

Not quite...likely they were just waiting for someone else to start mass producing them.

When you start making cars on a large scale and have a name to upkeep, it's a little different then say a start up like Tesla.

 

Competition in the electric car space is good. I have a hard time seeing audi competing with tesla in performance though.

See: Porsche 918.

I think Audi will have no problem in the performance department.

[bob345]

See: Porsche 918.

I think Audi will have no problem in the performance department.

The 918 is a hybrid though and can only go 12 miles all electric. After seeing what else there currently is like bmw's i3, i dont have to much faith in another great electric car like the model s being released any time soon.

[Sharkyx1]

the Chevy Volt Gen II is coming soon, thats interesting, a big boon on its part is that you aren't limited by the time to charge if you need to use your vehicle.

[bob345]

the Chevy Volt Gen II is coming soon, thats interesting, a big boon on its part is that you aren't limited by the time to charge if you need to use your vehicle.

meh. It wont be much more than a current gen volt with some different styling. The volt is nothing more than a Chevy built prius.

[KungPaoChino]

meh. It wont be much more than a current gen volt with some different styling. The volt is nothing more than a Chevy built prius.

the truth have spoken

[MrRavens]

Woo! More electrical vehicles on the road! 

[LukeTim]

So excited about all the electric cars coming about. I reckon by the time I actually pass my driving test (probably within 5 more years) they will be prevalent enough such that I will never ever have to own an Internal Combustion Engine car. And that's awesome.

[Sharkyx1]

meh. It wont be much more than a current gen volt with some different styling. The volt is nothing more than a Chevy built prius.

What would make you think that? its a new gen of hardware, a new gen of batteries, probably a decade of technology updates are to come around with this update, and a much more efficient gas engine, as the one in their was very much a stop gap, with no direct injection and an iron block. the prius is a different machine all together as the volt can burn way less gas for someone who doesn't do much highway. and the volt can drive on gas, so you are never limited by the battery range of the electric vehicle.

 

i live in canada, so i likely will never give up my gas engines, because the alternative would be death by icy coldness. But the Tesla, Leaf, Prius, Volt and Karma are all interesting vehicles, but el;ectric is a stop gap

[bob345]

What would make you think that? its a new gen of hardware, a new gen of batteries, probably a decade of technology updates are to come around with this update, and a much more efficient gas engine, as the one in their was very much a stop gap, with no direct injection and an iron block. the prius is a different machine all together as the volt can burn way less gas for someone who doesn't do much highway. and the volt can drive on gas, so you are never limited by the battery range of the electric vehicle.

 

i live in canada, so i likely will never give up my gas engines, because the alternative would be death by icy coldness. But the Tesla, Leaf, Prius, Volt and Karma are all interesting vehicles, but el;ectric is a stop gap

The first gen volt never delivered what gm promised. The "new gen" batteries are basically the same as they where in 2010. From what i can find so far, it looks like the gen 2 volts drive-train will be nearly identical to the current gens. The volt is nothing but a glorified plug in hybrid. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Sharkyx1]

The first gen volt never delivered what gm promised. The "new gen" batteries are basically the same as they where in 2010. From what i can find so far, it looks like the gen 2 volts drive-train will be nearly identical to the current gens. The volt is nothing but a glorified plug in hybrid. Nothing more, nothing less.

it is a plug in hybrid

 

and which promises did it not deliver? 

it was supposed to do about 40 miles right? there are plenty of sources showing that can be achieved, but along with anything battery powered, it is variable

 

 

the pipeline in car development is long enough that i wouldn't even say its 2010 batteries in the volt, the other thing is i doubt we'll see identical drivetrain, i expect a switch to aluminum block and direct injection at the very least, and both of those will improve efficiency and battery range. Sure there isn't a jump in the same vane as a new processor node to switch to but this will also probably introduce the Delta III platform, or at least a major update to the Delta, as we are due for a new refresh of compact cars from GM

[ZacDaMan72]

Wouldn't mind an electric A6...

 

[RainbowTylernol]

Competition in the electric car space is good. I have a hard time seeing audi competing with tesla in performance though.

Audi has great engineers with a lot more experience at building cars than Tesla. Don't underestimate the Germans. 

[ofr057]

I bet since tesla has signed a deal to make the giga factory audi will just buy its battery's from tesla.

but its good to see the market growing I'm currently looking into a electric sports bike to commute to work

[HerEscutcheon]

As long as it helps push us towards a future without gas-powered cars, I'm all for competition. That said, whenever it is I can afford to buy an electric car, it will be Tesla.

[connorpiper]

meh. It wont be much more than a current gen volt with some different styling. The volt is nothing more than a Chevy built prius.

 

The Prius is a hybrid. The Volt is an electric car. (And yes, if the engine does not power the wheels, it is still electric)

Nothing like a Prius.

[kburn]

What would make you think that? its a new gen of hardware, a new gen of batteries, probably a decade of technology updates are to come around with this update, and a much more efficient gas engine, as the one in their was very much a stop gap, with no direct injection and an iron block. the prius is a different machine all together as the volt can burn way less gas for someone who doesn't do much highway. and the volt can drive on gas, so you are never limited by the battery range of the electric vehicle.

 

i live in canada, so i likely will never give up my gas engines, because the alternative would be death by icy coldness. But the Tesla, Leaf, Prius, Volt and Karma are all interesting vehicles, but el;ectric is a stop gap

 

Depends on where you live in Canada.  If you're rural, yes it could be a while before there's an electric that would work, and there may be other alternatives by then.  But for city and suburban, electric is a perfect fit as a grocery getter, kid runner and commuter.  I've been seriously looking at the leaf.  I have a 20km round trip to work every day and my weekend driving is not much more.  95% of my driving doesn't require anything more than a compact car just to get my ass there.  I understand there are technology hurdles and the tech is still expensive compared to established combustion engines, but when we finally see true sub $30K (CAD) or even reaching $20K compact all electrics the market will explode.  (There are rebates that get the Leaf down in cost, but it's still a bit high, and there's no competition.)

 

If you're strictly looking at it from an emissions point, your biggest targets are more densely populated areas where efficiency is the worst.  You get affordable electric (as compared to current gas) into those areas and you'll have a hit.   Rural areas could continue to use gas engines and it won't matter as much.  As such, I don't see electric as a stop gap to anything else in those areas.

[bob345]

The Prius is a hybrid. The Volt is an electric car. (And yes, if the engine does not power the wheels, it is still electric)

Nothing like a Prius.

actually the gas engine can directly power the wheels. Take a read. 

http://jalopnik.com/5661051/how-gm-lied-about-the-electric-car

[connorpiper]

actually the gas engine can directly power the wheels. Take a read. 

http://jalopnik.com/5661051/how-gm-lied-about-the-electric-car

 

I don't know if I can trust the article, because after watching the Volt in action, if you keep it charged, the gas engine will only power on to burn stale fuel.