A flock of electric cars were on display from Peugeot, Renault, Audi, VW and Ford at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, but the only maker to display a car that's on sale was Tesla's Roadster.
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A brave new world
Independent tuner Brabus normally dabbles in souped-up Mercedes-Benz models, so it developed a new division around the Tesla Roadster, called Brabus Zero Emission Vehicles. The company offers a list of modifications to the Roadster that includes custom alloy wheels with low rolling resistance sport tyres, a carbon fibre spoiler with integrated LED daytime running lights, and a rear spoiler and diffuser.
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Moo = boo?
The custom Brabus interior may offend some people that choose the Tesla Roadster for its eco cred, as it uses leather on just about every interior surface. Still, it's a vast improvement over the somewhat spartan interior offered by Tesla.
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Brrrrrrrrrrm
One of the most innovative features from Brabus is this sound generator, designed to compensate for the lack of engine noise from the Roadster. It can play four different sound themes that rise and fall with the car's power output: V8, race car, Beam and Warp. When we walked over it was playing the Warp theme, a bassy futuristic thrum that rose and fell with the accelerator.
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Electric bugaloo
Audi's R8-based electric sports car, the e-tron, was one of the hits of the show. It uses a Lithium-ion battery pack mounted behind the cabin, where the R8's petrol engine normally sits. The battery pack gives the four traction motors (one in each wheel) enough power to get to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds, and run for a range of 154 miles. The motors deliver a combined 230kW of power and an astounding 4500Nm of torque.
Check out our complete Audi e-tron photo gallery.
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Torque vectoring
The e-tron's power system automatically puts 70 per cent of torque to the rear wheels and 30 per cent to the front wheels, compensating for the greater weight distribution to the rear. As conditions dictate, torque can be increased or decreased at each wheel in an electric version of Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Check out our complete Audi e-tron photo gallery.
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Torn free from the future
Befitting a concept car, the cabin has a futuristic design, with cameras and screens instead of rear-view mirrors. Because of its electric powertrain, the instrument cluster is simplified, with an analog speedometer, analog power consumption meter and a screen that can show a variety of information. The electronics are designed to communicate with external infrastructure to take into account traffic and stop lights when computing the most efficient routes.
Check out our complete Audi e-tron photo gallery.
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Renault Zoe ZE
Like its partner Nissan, Renault is striving to become a leader in electric cars and it expects to start production of electric-only cars in 2011. The Zoe ZE is a concept of what a sporty two-seater electric vehicle might look like. The Zoe's electric motor can product 70kW and 225Nm of torque, with a top speed of 140km/h. The Lithium-ion battery pack gives it a range of 160km.
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Haven't I seen you before?
If the lines of the Peugeot iOn look familiar, that's because it is a re-badged Mitsubishi i MiEV, which goes into production next year. Peugeot is buying the cars from Mitsubishi to get a jump on electric car distribution. Just like the i MiEV, the iOn produces 47kW and 180Nm of torque, and has a range of about 160km.
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Charge me up
Get used to seeing these types of chargers, as they should be cropping up in parking lots all over the place during the next decade. In rapid charge mode, it can juice up the iOn to 80 per cent of battery capacity in 30 minutes. From a regular 220V socket, the iOn's battery requires up to six hours to achieve a full charge.
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Not the movie
Volkswagen began showing its Up! family of concept cars last year. The latest is the E-Up!, which is a dedicated electric vehicle with 40kW and 210Nm of torque. Volkswagen says it will get to 100km/h in 11.3 seconds, and hit a top speed of 135km/h; range should be about 130km.
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New, new Beetle
Volkswagen considers the Up! the Beetle for the new millennium. As such, expect to see the Up! released with other drivetrain options before production commences on the E-Up!
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Solar car
The E-Up!'s solar roof is intended to provide extra power to the car's electrical system, as well as keeping the car ventilated when parked via an electric fan.
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3+1 = E-Up!
Volkswagen calls the seating arrangement in the E-Up! 3+1, meaning that the rear seats, shown folded down in this picture, are only really comfortable for one person, but could fit two in a pinch.
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LCDs galore
Reflecting its high-tech style, the instrument cluster is an LCD screen. To conserve electricity and keep weight low, however, the seats and even mirror adjustment is manual. The knob on the console selects forward, reverse or park, while the central LCD is a touchscreen, offering navigation and other information.
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Ford Focus BEV
Ford partnered with automotive parts supplier Magna (which is about to buy GM's Opel and Vauxhall arms) to quickly develop this electric version of the Ford Focus. It uses a 100kW motor and 23kWh Lithium-ion battery pack for a range of 120km and a top speed of 137km/h.
A car similar to this is featured in the Jay Leno Show's Green Car Challenge.
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UK testing
The Focus BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) pictured here is the first of a fleet of 15 that will be tested in the UK. The data gathered from this research program will help Ford in its goal to produce an electric vehicle in 2011. The charging pole seen on the left is a concept model from Scottish and Southern Energy.
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S is for sporty
Tesla had its Model S on hand, a sporty electric sedan that's expected to begin production in 2011. The Model S boasts a 480km range and a zero to 96km/h (60mph) time of 5.6 seconds.
Check out our comprehensive Telsa Model S gallery.
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S is for seven
The Model S accommodates seven passengers: two in front, three in the middle and two in rear jump seats. A 17-inch touchscreen shows navigation, entertainment and trip information.
Check out our comprehensive Telsa Model S gallery.
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