The Audi e-Tron: The Curious Case of Torqueage

For those of you who haven't been filled in, Audi just unveiled a fully-electric supercar called the e-Tron at Detroit's big ol' car show this month. Containing 4 electric motors (one for each wheel), a total of 313 horsepower and an almost unneccessary (yet amazing) 3,319lbs.-ft. of torque, this car is challenging conventional wisdom - and stereotypical views - about what an electric car can actually be.

 ...But there's a problem. Not with the car; the number cited by Audi - 3,319. Apparently Audi thought that quoting the torque from the wheels instead of from the output shaft of the motor (where the measurement is TYPICALLY taken) was a great way to sucker people in to seeing this e-Tron as one incredibly advanced vehicle.


Don't get me wrong; it definitely is - but the engine(s) do not have over 3,000lbs.-ft. of torque. Check Automobile Magazine's clarification here for more information.


Audi isn't the first to make an electric exotic; if you haven't heard of them, check out Tesla Motors. They have produced two electric vehicles - the Roadster and the Model S:

More on Tesla - and why Governor Ahnuld is desperately trying to return his Roadster - in the next post.