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Audi A1 e-tron
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Posted: 25 Nov 2010 04:01 AM PST

German car manufacturer – Audi, has released details on the new Audi A1 e-tron. This electric model has been designed to travel through cities emission free.

Audi says that the driving experience in the A1 e-tron is similar to that of a plane take off, due to its silent engine the only noises to be heard are the wind and rolling tires. Also since there are no gear changes the acceleration is swift with no pauses.

The electric motor of the Audi A1 e-tron powers the front wheels, it has a continuous power of 61 hp, with a torque of 150 Nm available from a standstill. The peak performance lies at 102 hp with a maximum torque of 240 Nm. This compact electric vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds and continues up to a top speed of over 130 km/h (80.78 mph).

On a full battery charge the Audi A1 e-tron has a range of more than 50 km – in most cases that’s more than enough for daily commuting. But if you need to travel further a small single-disk rotary piston engine generator kicks in to recharge the battery. This 20hp engine is practically noiseless and gives a rate of fuel consumption of just 1.9 liters per 100 km (123.80 US mpg).

For more information read the press release below.

Audi Press Release:

The Audi A1 e-tron – Emission-free in Town
Dietrich Engelhart, Electrification of the Modular Longitudinal Platform

The Audi A1 e-tron is an electric vehicle, moving along exclusively by electricity and locally emission-free. It’s a full-fledged all-rounder with four seats, and specially designed for traffic in the world’s fast-growing mega cities and other congested areas.

Many details underscore the comprehensive new approach pursued by the brand with the four rings regarding the A1 e-tron. Carbon fiber components visibly put Audi’s lightweight expertise to the test. Solutions such as full internet connectivity – with Google navigation and a WLAN hotspot – prove the great “little guy” to be a vehicle for contemporary customers.

The Driving Experience
The first drive in the Audi A1 e-tron feels almost like the take-off in a plane. The thrust accompanying a step on the pedal is similarly powerful – but the acceleration is practically noiseless, with only soft rolling and wind sounds to be heard. And the acceleration flows without interruption, since there are no gear changes and therefore no pauses for shifting.

This comfortable and sporty type of motion, allowing the driver to concentrate fully on the road, affords pleasure in a novel way. The quiet power alone is cause for fascination. The lush torque of the electric motor becomes fully available practically from a standstill. The driving experience in the A1 e-tron is consequently quite different compared with a combustion engine vehicle.

The Technological Concept
The Audi A1 e-tron embodies an intelligent and sophisticated technological concept. A lithium-ion battery pack provides the energy for the electric drive. The driver generally charges the battery pack from the grid – most conveniently, from a home socket. Full battery charging suffices for more than 50 km – in most cases that’s more than enough for daily commuting, as numerous studies have confirmed.

In the event that the driver wants to travel a longer distance, the mega city vehicle from Audi has a range extender on board – a small combustion engine that recharges the battery to extend the range beyond 250 km (155.34 miles). The Audi A1 e-tron always travels electrically – no sort of mechanical connection exists between the range extender and the driven front wheels.

The ancillary units of the A1 e-tron are electrified. A high-voltage refrigerant compressor operating according to the current power requirement drives the air conditioning system, for considerably greater efficiency compared with conventional concepts. The power steering operates electrohydraulically as in the series production model, and is therefore also especially energy efficient. The hydraulic brake system includes a brake servo, with the vacuum supplied by an electrically operated pump, also demand-controlled.

The compact 2-door vehicle affords all the strengths of the Audi A1 model series – a small turning radius, good clarity and high agility. The running gear is carefully tuned, combining pleasant comfort with a sporty character. Going with the trend of the future doesn’t entail the slightest sacrifice for the A1 e-tron, especially since the interior space and the luggage compartment capacity match those of series production models.

The Electric Motor
The synchronous motor of the Audi A1 e-tron is mounted transversely in the front, with its low installation benefiting the center of gravity. It has a continuous power of 45 kW (61 hp), with a torque of 150 Nm (110.63 lb-ft) already available from a standstill. The peak performance lies at 75 kW (102 hp), the maximum torque at 240 Nm (177.01 lb-ft). The powerful “little guy” from Audi thus accelerates in 10.2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and continues to a top speed of over 130 km/h (80.78 mph).

The torque flows to the front axle via a single-staged transmission flanged to the electric motor. The selector lever stems from the series production model, following the appropriate adaptation. The modes are “D”, “R”, “N” and “Range” – on this level the range extender is activated depending on the applied operating strategy; the electronic management system cuts in the extender with smooth transitions. The current load requirement and the energy level of the battery are the most important factors.

In the engine compartment next to the electric motor is the power electronics, which controls the electric traction. The DC converter coupling the 14 V electrical system to the high-voltage system, the switching unit for protecting the high-voltage components and the charging module are also accommodated in the front end.

The Battery
Shaped like a “T”, the battery pack of the Audi A1 e-tron is located underneath the rear part of the center tunnel and under the rear seats – the ideal position for weight distribution. The lithium-ion battery, operating at 270 volts, has a normal energy level of 12 kWh, and is water-cooled to stay within an optimal temperature range.

The socket for the standard charge plug is located behind the rings in the single frame of the Audi A1 e-tron. A fully discharged battery requires less than three hours’ charging from a 230 V grid; a 380 V high-voltage current reduces the time to less than an hour under optimal conditions. A display next to the plug-in connection shows the remaining charging time and the charge state. This value and the current range also appear in the driver’s information display of the instrument cluster.

During travel the large electric motor driving the A1 e-tron can convert the deceleration energy into electric current and feed it back to the electrical system, by operating briefly as a generator. The energy return flow begins once the driver releases the accelerator.

The extent of the recuperation is controllable in five stages by rocker switches on the steering wheel. At stage 1 the deceleration is slight, and at stage 5 considerable. In urban traffic the A1 e-tron can recover through recuperation almost a third of the energy needed for driving. When the rocker switches lie at 0 and the driver releases the accelerator, the mega city vehicle needs no energy at all – it simply “glides”.

The Range Extender
A small single-disk rotary piston engine serves as the range extender on board the Audi A1 e-tron. It has a chamber capacity of 254 cc (15.5 cu in) and constantly runs at 5000 rpm in its optimal efficiency range. The rotary piston engine drives a generator that produces up to 15 kW (20 hp) electrical charging power.

The great strengths of the rotary piston engine are its vibration-free and practically noiseless operation, small dimensions and the extremely low weight. Including the generator, the entire assembly group weighs about 65 kg (143.30 lb). This weight already includes the special power electronics, the intake, exhaust and cooling systems as well as the acoustic encapsulation and the auxiliary frame.

According to the draft for standardization for determining the consumption of range extender vehicles, the rate of fuel consumption by the Audi A1 e-tron is just 1.9 liters per 100 km (123.80 US mpg) – a CO2 equivalent of only 45 g per km (72.42 g/mile). The fuel is supplied from a tank with a capacity of 12 liters (3.17 US gallons).

The Design
The Audi A1 e-tron is specially painted in “Aqua Mint, pearl effect”, while the roof contrast arch is “Dark High Gloss Steel”. The roof, the rear spoiler and other components are made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), underscoring Audi’s expertise in lightweight design.

Missing from the rear diffuser are the tailpipes – a solution highlighting the vehicle width and the emission-free drive. The “e-tron” lettering appears on the front fenders.

The Interior and Equipment
In the generously sized interior of the A1 e-tron the door cushioning and the center console are covered by Milan leather in titanium gray. Typically Audi, the operation and the display concept are entirely uncomplicated.

The equipment fulfills all the desires of an urban customer. Marked by a sporty lightness, the interior offers space and connection options for devices such as an iPod. Like every A1, the Audi A1 e-tron also stands for space, for music, for communication, for intelligence and for quality. And it stands for a contemporary lifestyle – for color and form, for freedom and individualism.

The equipment of the mega city vehicle from Audi also includes the LED interior lighting package and the top solution among the infotainment systems – the powerful MMI Navigation plus with 20 GB hard drive, high-definition 6.5-inch monitor and 3-dimensional map graphics.

The Audi A1 e-tron fully connects to the internet through a UMTS module, to provide the same state-of-the-art features as found in the Audi A8 flagship – navigation with map imagery from Google Earth and a WLAN hotspot for connecting passengers’ mobile terminal equipment, such as an iPad. The UMTS connection is fast, secure and free of additional charges.

Mansory Press Release:

MANSORY Switzerland AG upgrades the BMW X6 M.

Soon after the presentation of the individualized BMW X5, MANSORY Switzerland AG, with its sister model the BMW X6, presents in society the second Bavarian automobile to be the fortunate object of a comprehensive revamp. An exclusive bodywork, performance and interior program has been developed and gives the SUV coupe a definitely more sporty appearance.

Just as with all previous vehicles, with the BMW X6, MANSORY has paid close attention to the precise fit of parts while at the same time bearing in mind a sporty, individual design. The perfectly harmonizing details turn the high demands which MANSORY makes on itself and on its products into reality and transform the wide-bodied Bavarian into a real eye-catcher. Due to a new front spoiler with larger air intakes and an extra light bonnet made entirely of carbon which, with its ventilation channels, optimizes air flow to the front engine, the MANSORY X6 already looks a lot more brawny when you catch sight of it in the rear-view mirror.

This impression is reinforced even more by the widened wings which flow into the newly designed side skirts and give the vehicle around 70 millimeters more width at the front and 80 millimeters at the rear.

At the back a newly designed skirt comes into play using an integrated diffuser which has room for four stainless steel exhaust pipes from the MANSORY sports exhaust system. A roof spoiler for additional contact pressure and a rear spoiler lip give the MANSORY X6 more stability at high speeds. Nearly all the aerodynamic components are fabricated by the engineers from high-tensile polyurethane (PU-RIM) and from prepreg autoclave carbon, characteristic of MANSORY. In the process, the preformed carbon-fiber parts are
given a permanent shape in autoclaves by the effects of vacuum and heat which guarantees a perfect surface finish with low weight.

So that the overwhelming visual presence is given appropriate backup, MANSORY treats the BMW X6 M’s production engine to a performance upgrade. At around 670 HP / 493 kW and a huge torque of 950 Nm at 5900 rpm, the MANSORY X6 surpasses the original figures by a long chalk (production engine: 555 HP / 408 kW and 680 Nm at 1500 – 5650 rpm). This leap in performance is made possible by using an entirely new exhaust system complete with exhaust manifold and perfected engine electronics. The performance, too, benefits from these modifications. In a mere 4.2 seconds, the MANSORY X6 makes it from a standing start to main road speed and thanks to a Vmax override reaches a top speed of 300 km/h.

Contact with the road is via distinctive MANSORY light alloy rims. These improve the handling and highlight the vehicle’s appearance. The M10 silver-finished, cast, monoblock wheels are equipped with 315/25R23 tires which make for the right surface grip. With progressively wound sports suspension and an adapted height adjustment, at the same time the vehicle’s center of gravity is lowered by around 40 millimeters so that the 23″ wheels fill the wheel arches. Larger brake discs and a multi-piston brake system to improve the deceleration values of the MANSORY X6 are already at the trial stage.

With the ergonomically, newly designed MANSORY Sports steering wheel, MANSORY Switzerland offers customers a special feature for the vehicle interior. Just as for all other MANSORY vehicles the same applies to the BMW X6: the customer can compose his own quite personal vehicle interior from the practically endless combinations of leather, Alcantara, wood, carbon or aluminum trim and just about any technical gadget imaginable. The in-house MANSORY leather workshop is always available to turn the customer’s wishes into reality.