In the 1980’s when performance was all, “Quartro” became the name synonymous with advanced 4x4 technology. In this decade, with a huge range of electric and hybrid cars about to be unleashed on the market, could “E-Tron” be the name we link with advanced eco-friendly automotive technology?

The common thread here is Audi, as it has just released the second in what it sees as a new family of “E-Tron” cars at the Detroit Motor Show. Following on from an E-Tron two-seater shown in Frankfurt and Los Angeles, this new electric concept is described as a kind of mini R8. It is small and light and powered by two electric motors in the rear axle. Audi say it is capable of 0 to 62 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds, with a top governed speed of 124 miles per hour. Fully charged it would have a 155-mile range.

Audi expects to produce a small run of E-Tron prototypes for customer evaluation over the next two years. However, Audi director Michael Dick admitted that at this stage production cost for this type of car remain high. He said, “Customers would have to be ready to invest a lot of money in a car that shows off all possibilities of the electrification of the automobile.”