Audi e-Tron Spyder Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid

In brief: The latest iteration of Audi's e-Tron electrics is the Spyder concept, a diesel-electric hybrid convertible.

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Make/Model: e-Tron Spyder Manufacturer: Audi

The word

The Audi e-Tron line started with the e-Tron Electric and has branched out with the production model of that vehicle, due out next year in limited numbers.

Now Audi is showing another concept of the e-Tron series, this one called the Spyder. Still using the A8 platform, Audi this time made it convertible and put a diesel-electric plug-in drive train inside.

The engine is a twin-turbo 3.0L diesel V6 that puts out 300hp and 479lb-ft of troque. The engine drives the rear wheels, if engaged, on the Spyder, through a 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The engine is mid-mounted (behind the cabin).

Up front, there are two electric motors (one for each wheel) with a combined 88hp/260lb-ft.

Together, the two systems can propel the car forward from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds. Fuel economy is an impressive 107mpg with a range of 621 miles per tank.

And so ...

Audi is calling this a "plug-in hybrid," but given that the motors require the engine to supply electricity, that's a little misleading. At low speeds, the Spyder can use only its electric motors to operate, but Audi has not given any specs on the batteries, so it's all-electric range or even plug-in charging ability is a matter of speculation. Photo credits: Automobile Mag