Geneva Show: Audi's A1 e-tron Concept Extends Range By Wankel-ing

Soon to be on display in Geneva will be the third e-tron concept to come from Audi in less than a year: the A1 e-tron. Its purpose, according to Audi, is to show "that Audi's expertise in electric drive systems extends down into the compact car segment" (as if anyone would question them in that regard).

Marketed as a Mega City Vehicle (MCV), the new A1 e-tron is said to return an electricity-only range of 50 km / 31 miles by means of a 75 kW / 102 HP power train.

Audi is also debuting a new face in the world of range-extending engines, courtesy of Felix Wankel. This new A1 e-tron's single-rotor engine is hooked up to a generator that puts out 15 kW or 20HP.

With the RE rotary in use, range is extended by 200 km / 124 miles. All combined, Audi is no doubt proud to be able to put out combined fuel economy estimates of 1.9 L / 100 km (or around 124 miles per gallon) and releasing just 45 g / km in noxious fumes. Stay tuned for official pics (the photo above is of the standard A1 that will also debut in Geneva).