Innovation has been a sustained effort for Audi

Audi A3 e-tron on display at the Guangzhou auto show. [Photo/CHINA DAILY]

The Chinese market's best-selling premium brand Audi showed what technology is all about by demonstrating its latest fleet of models and its vision for the future at the just-concluded Guangzhou auto show.

"We showcased a wide range of products and the latest in innovative technologies at our two booths at the show," said Dominique Boesch, outgoing general manager of FAW-Volkswagen's Audi sales division.

"With our cutting-edge technology especially displayed at the innovation booth, we showed Audi fans a cleaner, safer, more comfortable and intelligent future."

Ge Shuwen, the division's deputy general manager, said he hoped Audi's technology and concept cars would offer a chance for Audi lovers to see, feel and experience future themselves.

One highlight was its e-tron section where the automaker showcased a 1989 plug-in hybrid Duo and an all-new A3 Sportback e-tron to demonstrate its sustained efforts in alternative energy vehicles.

The e-tron has a wide range of e-motor technologies that are used in plug-in and pure electric models. Audi said the technology on show is different from other automakers because of the e-tron's compatibility with its current production lines and not requiring e-tron drivers change their mobility habits.

With the first concept car unveiled in 2009, the company said all major models will have an e-tron version by 2020.

Its current lineup has more than 10 e-tron models including the R18 e-tron quattro that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2011 and the all-new A3 Sportback e-tron set to hit the Chinese market in 2015 with a range of 940 km on a tank of fuel and a single charge.

It sports a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, a new six-speed e-S tronic transmission and a 75 kW e-motor. In pure electric mode, it can run up to 50 km and has a top speed of 130 km/hour. It takes about five hours to fully charge on household sockets.

In hybrid mode, it has a maximum output of 150 kW, top torque of 350 Nm and can run at 222 km/hour. The zero to 100 km/hour sprint takes 7.6 seconds. The model uses 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 km and emits 35 g per km of carbon dioxide.

Audi will offer the opportunity to test-drive the A3 Sportback e-tron in six cities in the country from late December to February.

And to the delight of Audi aficionados, FAW-VW is expected to start production of the e-tron version of A6 L specially designed for the Chinese market.

The automaker, which has a special emphasis on technology for the future, is also coming up with solutions for connecting people, vehicles and transport infrastructure.

Audi applied onboard Internet to its A8 sedans as early as 2009. With new needs in communication, the automaker has developed more advanced Audi Connect technologies that make its cars part of the intelligent Internet and everyday devices smarter and more useful. The company said the technology means additional convenience and enjoyment. The carmaker also made the Asia debut of its concept car Allroad Shooting Brake at the Audi Connect section of the Guangzhou show.

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