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Audi e3 etron

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by philliphs, Feb 9, 2015.

  1. philliphs

    philliphs Junior Member

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    Hello everyone. I just found out about the Audi e3 etron is technically a plug-in hybrid that acts as regular hybrid, exactly the same concept as prius plug-in hybrid. The only caveat is that they managed to squeeze a 6 DCT in the system instead of eCVT (Planetary gear system) on prius or any other toyota/lexus hybrids.

    How can a company who is releasing its first gen plug in hybrid managed to do thing which a company that has more than a decade of hybrid technology?

    I just find that hard to believe.
     
    #1 philliphs, Feb 9, 2015
  2. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    My concern about the e-Tron and Golf GTE is that they use a 3 clutch transmission!?! Thought the dual clutch system was a pigs ear, then wait for this overly complicated contraption.

    Toyota seem to have had a change of management somewhere as they've dropped from being leader of the pack in 2010 when they were testing the Prius plug in when the only competition was the Volt, to being an 'almost ran' with the aged Prius and the frankly crap 10 EV range of the PIP.

    If the gen4 Prius/gen2 PIP is a game changer, then Toyota will continue to hold the crown. If not, then they'll fade into just another option in the competitive low emission car market.
     
    #2 GrumpyCabbie, Feb 9, 2015
  3. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    OP, there are people converting hybrids into plug-ins in their garage, don't need to be a company to do that.

    EV driving with step gear transmission, I am not sure I would want that.

    Recent VW/Audi DCT reliability issues

    And, you can build as many plug-ins as you want; http://insideevs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2015-sales-chart-Jan-vfinal3.png
     
    #3 Sergiospl, Feb 9, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2015
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    It is based off the system in the hybrid Jetta. It is just designed to be used with a traditional type of transmission. Hyundai's, Nissan's, and Honda's one motor system also do this. In theory it should save cost as opposed to having to make a separate gear set for the hybrids.The eCVTs in Toyotas and Fords are smaller and return better city numbers though.

    Neither path is better than the other; just different.
     
    #4 Trollbait, Feb 9, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why is this so amazing?
     
    #5 bisco, Feb 9, 2015
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  6. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    I would like to hear (and I will), the maintenance issues with the 3 clutch system in the no so far future......:whistle:
     
    #6 mrbigh, Feb 9, 2015
    valde3 and GrumpyCabbie like this.
  7. philliphs

    philliphs Junior Member

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    The problem is some people out there wants step gear transmission as opposed to eCVT as Toyota's planetary gear system is prone to gear slippage, and they want more direct-connected feel to the wheels especially in more sport oriented models such as Lexus IS300h or GS450h.

    I'm talking about Toyota in general. In prius it will be pointless as the first priority would be efficiency, but I can see it works in other sportier Lexus models.

    Plus I think step gear transmission would prevent electric motor to run in higher end rpm in high speed, and keep it low rpm where it's more efficient.
     
    #7 philliphs, Feb 12, 2015
  8. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    #8 telmo744, Feb 12, 2015
    philliphs likes this.
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Good news and bad news:
    An eCVT can be programmed to simulate a stepped gear transmission. The bad news is performance and efficiency suffer. There is no free lunch but it can be affordable.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #9 bwilson4web, Feb 12, 2015
    philliphs likes this.
  10. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The new, higher efficiency, Corolla uses a CVT. Subaru and Nissan use CVTs in their models. I think the Spark now has a CVT.

    Some of them are programmed to act like a step transmission, but I think the people that really want to have gear shifts are going to die off, or buy a car with a manual.

    In the realm of hybrids, there are step transmissions(Hyundai) and double clutch ones(Honda's new 1 motor system). So there is choice there also.
     
    #10 Trollbait, Feb 12, 2015
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