Audi to Bring All-Electric A3 to U.S.
Audi is bringing an all-electric A3 to the U.S. Exciting as that may be, only 17 of them will make their way across the ocean.
At the annual TED conference in Long Beach, Calif., Audi CEO Johan DeNysschen revealed plans to bring 17 A3 e-trons Stateside as a trial to see what type of reaction the car would garner from the public.
The pure battery vehicle uses a 26 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery that provides a range of 90 miles on a full charge at speeds of up to 90 mph. A similar A1 e-tron is undergoing the same testing in Europe, except that the A1 has a range-extending gasloine mated to its electric drivetrain.
Based on these initial tests, Audi will decide between the pure EV or range extended EV as the best option. “We will integrate the data generated from this program into the launch of a range of Audi e-tron models for American drivers,” said Jeff Curry, head of Audi of America’s e-mobility program.
While it’s intriguing to see Audi sending new technology to the American market, it’s also easy to wonder how much data 17 cars can really glean.
[Source: The Detroit Bureau]
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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