Although photos of the Audi e-tron concept leaked onto the internet days before its official debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, Audi managed to keep a tight lid on its technical details until the cover was taken off at the show.
From a design standpoint, the e-tron looks like an R8 that has gone backwards through the concept-to-production process, receiving futuristic-looking headlights, taillights, and wheels on the outside and a spartan, futuristic cockpit featuring an LCD display in the middle of the gauge-cluster inside. At 167.7 in. long, 74.8 in. wide, and 48.43 in. tall, the e-tron is slightly smaller than the R8 and its 102.4-in. wheelbase is slightly shorter.
Powering the 3527-lb all-electric sports car are four electric motors generating a combined 313 hp and a semi-truck-like 3319 lb-ft of torque, which propel it from 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds though top speed is limited to just 124 mph. Power for the motors comes from a lithium-ion battery rated for 42kWh that provides a range of approximately 154 miles.