The “A6 technological study” that Audi told us it will debut at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing turned out to be a plug-in hybrid version of the domestic market long-wheelbase A6 with the e-tron moniker.
The concept model borrows the driveline found on the production A8 Hybrid, which brings together a 2.0-liter TFSI petrol that produces 208hp (211PS) and an electric motor with a peak output of 70kW (94hp/95PS).
A liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery located in a collision-protected space at the rear of the vehicle allows the sedan model to travel up to 80km (50 miles) at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37mph) in pure electric mode.
Just like the A8 Hybrid, the A6 L e-tron concept can be operated with the internal combustion engine alone, the electric drive only, or in hybrid mode.
The concept is based on the stretched A6 sedan, a China-market only model that has a 3.01 meter (9.88 feet) wheelbase, is 5.02 meters (16.47 feet) long and 1.87 meters (6.14 feet) wide, and 1.46 meters (4.79 feet) tall.
The study sports the usual styling cues that distinguish Audi’s e-tron concepts such as the razor blade-like front grille, 21-inch alloy wheels in a turbine design, LED headlamps, redesigned bumper with chrome trim and a tweaked instrument panel with a powermeter replacing the tachometer.
Audi said the first production e-tron model will be based on the new A3 series and it will enter the market in 2014.
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