Audi e-tron Concept: Up Close
The tiny e-tron looks sharp, save for a few odd details. Press photos of the front don’t do it justice; it’s not really that squared off, at least when you take the car in its entirety. In profile and from any rear quarter, the e-tron shows hints of Mazda RX-8 and Maserati GranTurismo — both strong designs worth emulating – but I’m not wild about the wire-spoke wheels, a variant of which we saw on the R8-based e-tron concept at last fall’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Nor am I bullish on the grille, which looks like an undisguised radiator grate. Others around the table in the press room love the retro wheels, however.
The cabin design is spare. It appears cramped overall, though no more so than a Tesla Roadster’s. Speaking of electric cars, I’m intrigued by the e-tron’s drivetrain. Rear-wheel drive, a rear-heavy weight distribution and extra power routed to the outside wheel during corners — like Honda’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive – have all the makings of a fun track car. The concept’s 155-mile maximum range, however, falls well short of Tesla’s 244-mile maximum.
No matter there. If we see a tamer version of this design grace the next TT, Audi designers could be onto something.
