Audi today (15 September 2009) unveiled the e-tron. The German manufacturer is hailing the concept "The highlight of the show... a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system".

The e-tron has a total of four motors – two each at the front and rear axles that drive the wheels. The electric motors combine to produce 313 bhp and will accelerate from 0 to 62 in 4.8 seconds.

Audi say that the lithium-ion battery provides a range of approximately 248 kilometers.

A statement from Audi says "The performance figures are by no means the only evidence of the consistent and holistic strategy. The design makes it clear that the e-tron belongs in the major leagues of sports cars, and the package takes into account the specific realities of an electric vehicle. The battery is directly behind the passenger cabin for an optimal center of gravity and axle load distribution."

It continues "The e-tron is able to freely distribute the powerful torque of its four electric motors to the wheels as required. This so-called torque vectoring allows for dazzling dynamics and an undreamed-of level of agility and precision when cornering."