All accessories are electric (A/C, power steering, etc) and as there is no engine or transmission constantly in operation, the drive is very quiet. The Audi rep that was in the car with me asked at one point if I could hear the Wankel engine running. I answered that I could not and he assured that it was. I was expecting a rotary engine sound but there was none to be found. Impressive. Specifically, the only compromise with the A1 e-tron's setup is the loss of the space usually reserved for the spare. Otherwise, the trunk is still fully operational.
Once again, as with all things electric, acceleration is instantaneous and very rewarding. An interesting feature about this car is that regenerative braking can be adjusted on many levels. In many hybrid vehicles, selecting “B” with the shift lever increases the brake's regen function. With the A1 e-tron, it is done with the steering-wheel mounted paddles, usually reserved for the DSG gearbox.
It can't come soon enough
The A1 is already a far more desirable car than the A3 and if you factor in this technology, it becomes the ideal posh urban transporter.
Before I end off, it is important to note that this technological setup (electric motor, batteries + range extender) can be applied to the entire range of Audi products. According to them though, there are no immediate plans to do so, but I'm willing to bet that if things work out well with the A1, it will happen.
A test fleet is already in operation in Munich. As of now, there are no specific dates as to when we might expect the car to become available to the masses, however late 2012 could be a possibility.
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| The A1 is already a far more desirable car than the A3 and if you factor in this technology, it becomes the ideal posh urban transporter. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
Once again, as with all things electric, acceleration is instantaneous and very rewarding. An interesting feature about this car is that regenerative braking can be adjusted on many levels. In many hybrid vehicles, selecting “B” with the shift lever increases the brake's regen function. With the A1 e-tron, it is done with the steering-wheel mounted paddles, usually reserved for the DSG gearbox.
It can't come soon enough
The A1 is already a far more desirable car than the A3 and if you factor in this technology, it becomes the ideal posh urban transporter.
Before I end off, it is important to note that this technological setup (electric motor, batteries + range extender) can be applied to the entire range of Audi products. According to them though, there are no immediate plans to do so, but I'm willing to bet that if things work out well with the A1, it will happen.
A test fleet is already in operation in Munich. As of now, there are no specific dates as to when we might expect the car to become available to the masses, however late 2012 could be a possibility.
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