Audi of America President, Johan de Nysschen, says an electric vehicle based on the high-performance e-tron concept will debut in the United States in two to three years.

The sleek two-seat sports car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, but at the time Audi would not confirm plans to produce it. Now de Nysschen says the car is on its way.

“I expect we will see running examples in the next 24 months,” he says.

The e-tron concept is powered by four electric motors, one on each axle. Audi says the car has a range of 246 kilometers using a lithium ion battery positioned behind the passenger cabin.

The show car is 4 2 67 mm – about midway between Audi’s TT and R8 sports cars – and 1 905 mm wide.

The e-tron uses a space frame wrapped in fibre-reinforced plastic body panels, ensuring the e-tron’s relatively low weight of 1 600 kg’s – 470 kg of which is the lithium-ion battery.

Audi are also busy developing hybrid vehicles. Reportedly, the first on the U.S. market will be the Q5 crossover, scheduled to debut in the 2011 model year.

Take a look at the images from this years IAA motor show in Frankfurt.

Adapted from AutoWeek

Audi has boosted its green credentials at the Frankfurt Motor Show by unveiling an electric-only version of its iconic R8 supercar. Dubbed the e-tron, this futuristic coupe looks set to give its petrol-powered grandfather a run for its money, and bring real innovation to the world of electric cars. The e-tron is battling for the limelight with BMW’s hybrid Vision EfficientDynamics concept at Frankfurt – and proves that whatever the blue propeller can do, Audi can, too.

Under the reskinned body lie four electric motors – two on each axle. Together, these give an output of 230 kW, as well as an incredible 4 500 N.m of torque. The result is a four-wheel-drive performance car capable of zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 200 km/h – with zero tailpipe emissions.

The e-tron’s low-slung proportions are immediately recognisable. Yet the R8 styling cues get a futuristic slant, with a smoother grille, cut-out LED lights and aerodynamic wheels. Inside, Audi’s usual layout has made way for space-age minimalism. In front of the driver is a clean, uncluttered dash, which extends into the door panels. As there’s no need for a transmission tunnel, the designers have created a slim and compact centre console. Mounted on this is a dial that controls all the cabin’s major functions, through a large screen in front of the driver.

Under the skin, a blend of an aluminium spaceframe and plastic body panels ensures the e-tron is relatively light, at 1 600 kg’s. By placing the 470 kg lithium-ion battery pack where the petrol engine would usually be, Audi has managed to provide the new model with the handling of a mid-engined supercar. Plus, in corners, extra power can be sent to the wheel that needs it most. The weight is distributed 42/58, front to rear, and the 4WD is biased to the back – so the e-tron should be every bit as agile as the regular R8.

It’s even aware of its surroundings. The on-board computer can receive data about upcoming corners and gradients, and can sense traffic light sequences, so it sets the car up to maximise efficiency. Once the battery runs out of charge, though, owners will be able to plug their model into a domestic electrical socket.

While the e-tron isn’t likely to appear in showrooms for some time, expect parts of its technology will grace Audi cars in the next few years.

Adapted from AutoExpress