A remarkable development for Audi’s Geneva Show debutant the A1 e-tron – a Wankel rotary petrol engine.
For many years rotary powerplants have been associated with Mazda sports cars, but for the A1 e-tron, Audi has selected a single rotary for the petrol engine in this petrol-electric hybrid Mega City Vehicle (MCV). The A1 e-tron drives at all times via the front-mounted transverse electric motor with a range of 50 kilometres; the rotary engine is used to power a generator which delivers 15kW of charging power to provide an extra 200 kilometres of range.
Audi chose the 254cc rotary engine for its compact dimensions and quiet, vibration free operation. Located in the rear, when functioning, it runs at a constant 5,000rpm and is fuelled from a 12-litre petrol tank.
With 75kW of power and 240Nm of torque from the synchronous electric motor, the A1 e-tron delivers the sort of performance demanded by Audi buyers – a top speed in excess of 130km/h and zero to 100km/h in 10.2 seconds. But with the rotary petrol engine only used to provide battery power, fuel consumption is a staggering 1.9l/100kms and exhaust emissions are just 45g/km.
Braking is handled via a hydraulic fixed-caliper brake on the front axle and two electrically actuated floating caliper brakes on the rear axle. The rear brakes are not actuated mechanically or hydraulically – they’re ‘brake by wire’.
The two-door/four-seat A1 e-tron runs on 18-inch alloy wheels and is kitted with the usual Audi stylish interior.
