Audi A1 Sportback Plug-In Electric Makes Tesla Shake In Its Boots

Published by on November 5, 2008

The Tesla is probably the best-known electric sports car, but now we have an electric coming from a major automaker. Audi has unveiled their A1, a roadster that can go all electric or as a hybrid.

Big on efficiency, style and performance this is by far the coolest Plug-in Hybrid concept. The Audi A1 Sportback sports a 1.4-liter TSI gas burning engine equipped with both a turbo and supercharger and a 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor.

Working together in hybrid mode the two engines propel the A1 from 0 to 62mph in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 124mph all the while getting 72.4 mpg! Or you can switch to pure electric mode and drive approximately 60 miles sans petrol.