Tokyo Show - Audi Metroproject Quattro plug-in hybrid
One of the Tokyo Motor Show’s most exciting unveilings was, for me, the Audi Metroproject Quattro concept, which features a 110kW 1.4TFSI petrol engine powering the front wheels; and a 30 kW electric motor positioned on the rear axle which can deliver an additional 200 Nm of torque when the vehicle is accelerating. When the two drive units work together, the car becomes genuine quattro with combined torque of 440 Nm (240 Nm from the 1.4 TFSI plus an extra 200 Nm from the electric motor).
More info and a bunch of pics after the jump.
This results in a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 201km/h. Fuel economy is 4.9 liters/100km in mixed mode operation, and CO2 emissions average 112 g/km. Not bad for a sporty hybrid, but here’s the real knock-out punch: the Metroproject features a Lithium-ion battery pack which can store enough energy for the car to run en electric only mode for over 100km - more than enough for the daily commuting needs of most motorists. In this mode, top speed is about 100km/h and the petrol engine will only cut in when the battery levels drop below 20% charge. The battery can be charged of any mains outlet.
So what we have here is a car that combines decent performance, low (or no) emissions, sexy styling, seating for four and it should be priced well below more exotic electric cars like the Tesla Roadster. The only trick now is to convince Audi to put these babies into production.
More info available at Green Car Congress.
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Sold… This is the type of car I would love to own.