Audi @ Frankfurt: 2009 e-tron Concept, 2010 A5 Sportback, 2011 S5 Sportback, 2011 R8 Spyder

The German motor show at Frankfurt has opened its doors, and oh joy, there's a lot of exciting new reveals to come. Here's the first package, which come from Audi.

- 2009 Audi e-tron Concept: This is the surprise of Frankfurt. It's the e-tron Concept, that shows what Audi can do when it messes around with battery-powered electric motors. So Audi based the electric platform onto the body of an R8, but with some few changes; new headlights, new false grille, and the disappearance of any side and rear gills; plus, there are no exhaust-pipes, because it's 100% electric. Where in the production R8, there's the choice of a V8 or a V10 sitting in the middle, the e-tron Concept has two electric-motors in-place. At the front, where the production R8 has some free luggage space, e-tron Concept has yet another pair of electric-motors, making total of 4 electric-motors in the e-tron Concept. e-tron Concept Quattro all-wheel-drive, as the rear-electric-motors drive the rear-axle, and front-electric-motors drive front-axle. The result: 313 hp, and wait-for-it, 3,319 lb-ft of torque!! That's right, even combining three Bugatti Veyrons won't even match the torque of this e-tron Concept. So it accelerates from 0 - 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and from 40 - 75 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Audi say that e-tron has a driving-range of roughly 250 kilometers, and recharging would take 2.5 hours. So in the end, this still a concept, and probably to stay.

- 2010 Audi A5 Sportback: It's a new flavor added to the line-up of the A5, which already comes in Coupe and Cabriolet versions. The A5 Sportback adds practicality into the mix of sportiness. So it still looks like a stylish A5 Coupe, but with added extra doors, the rear-seats are now easy to access. The trunk also has been enlarged, yet it also offers Quattro all-wheel-drive. Power varies from a 2.0L TDI turbocharged diesel, till a 265 hp 3.2L FSI petrol V6. The A5 Sportback is currently available in European showrooms.



- 2011 Audi S5 Sportback: This is the S-Line version of the A5 Sportback above. The S5 Sportback adds the usual S-Line accessories, like an extended body-kit, 19-inch wheels, a sportier grille, 4 sporty exhausts, bucket seats, "S5" badges all around the exterior and interior, and of course, a 333 hp supercharged 3.0L TFSI V6. Connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic automatic, and Quattro all-wheel-drive, the S5 Sportback will launch to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, and 155 mph top speed. Nonetheless, this engine will manage 25 mpg fuel-economy, which Audi claim the S5 Sportback as "the best in this power out-put category." Sales start in 2010, with pricing start at 57,900 euros.



- 2011 Audi R8 Spyder: This is the long-awaited convertible version of the daily-driver supercar we all adore - the beautiful R8. Now available with a tractable cloth soft-top, the R8 Spyder maintains all the structual-rigidity of the R8 coupe; but, some weight had been added with the strengthen beams. However, unlike the R8 coupe, which is offered in V8 and V10 forms, the R8 Spyder is currently "only" available with the Lamborghini-sourced 5.2L V10, packing 525 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. With Quattro all-wheel-drive as standard, the R8 Spyder will crack 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, onwards to 195 mph. No plans yet for a V8-powered R8 Spyder; but with this V10, the driver's ears will melt from the direct exhaust of the V10 engine. In essence, the R8 Spyder offers all the supercar punch of the R8 coupe, plus all the feature comforts, but with the top down. Audi showrooms will have the R8 Spyder in sale in first-quarter of 2010, with pricing start at 156,400 euros.



Source : [Audi]