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Recharge Wrap-up: BMW i3 carshare, Audi e-gas plant

Elix Wireless has announced its E10K Wireless Charging System. The system is designed for harsh conditions, delivers up to 10 kilowatts and features automatic detection and removal of foreign objects. Its low frequency makes it safe to operate near oil and gas, and in other hazardous environments. The system can charge personal vehicles, as well as electric buses, trucks, mining equipment and heavy duty machinery. Elix has "created an entirely new technology that meets customer demand for fast, safe and reliable charging," says, CEO David Smith. The E10K system uses Elix's Magneto-Dynamic Coupling technology, with rotating permanent magnets in the transmitter and receiver. Read more at Green Car Congress, or in the press release from Elix Wireless. FreeWire Technologies and Siemens are working together on a pilot program for the Mobi Charger. The mobile charging station, which uses second-life EV batteries to charge electric vehicles, will be deployed for a trial at LinkedIn's campus in Mountain View, CA. The Mobi is more flexible than stationary chargers in that it brings the charging to the car, regardless of where it is parked, rather than having to park the EV in a specific spot. It can charge up to five cars per day without putting stress on the grid during peak hours. Read more from Siemens. Audi's e-gas plant in Werlte, Germany helps stabilize the power grid. The plant, which produces synthetic methane using CO2, water and electricity, is able to draw six megawatts of power within five minutes, allowing it to become certified in the electricity balancing market. This helps the grid adapt to the larger load fluctuations that go hand-in-hand with generating renewable energy. It also allows the plant to achieve higher operating times and produce more e-gas each year. Read more in the press release from Audi. The BMW i3 is now available through the DriveNow carsharing service in Germany. DriveNow, which is a joint venture between BMW and car rental company Sixt, has put 100 i3s into service in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. BMW also says that it supports a shift away from private car ownership in order to improve urban living and mobility, and sees electric carsharing as an important part of that. "We are witnessing the changes our customers and society as a whole are making and we are taking them on board," says BMW's Dr. Bernhard Blattel.

Next-gen Audi A5 shows its heavily camouflaged face

The new Audi A4 is set to launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, so it shouldn't come as too big of a surprise that an updated A5 is on the way, as well. Our spies just caught the coupe testing for the first time while wearing heavy camouflage from nose to tail. Despite the concealment, some details are possible to make out, especially when comparing the two-door design to the previously spied A4. Audi is further differentiating the designs, and the A5's front end is significantly changed based on these photos. The headlights appear larger and more acutely angled than the narrower units on the sedan. Also, the lower bumper gets square intakes at each corner and the shape creates an additional opening in the center for the coupe. In profile, it's easy to notice the quicker sloping roof and smaller side windows. Only the rear end of the two models seem to share many significant cues. The new A5 reportedly rides on the same MLB Evo platform as the upcoming A4 to shed around 200 pounds. The two models might not launch at the same time, though, and the coupe could join the lineup somewhat later. S5 and RS5 variants are expected to join the range further down the line, too.

Audi readies sales of new fuel-efficient A4, A5 and A6 models

As diesels continue to account for a minority of cars sold by Audi in the US, the German automaker and Volkswagen unit continues to expand its diesel models in Europe for the sake of fuel efficiency. Early this year, Audi will debut its new A4, A5 and A6 variants in Europe as part of what it calls its "ultra" strategy of pairing performance with fuel economy. Audi will have 11 new models for 2014, and the updated A4, A5 and A6 will use Audi's 2.0-liter turbodiesel powertrain. Versions of that engine will range from 136 to 190 horsepower, while torque will range from 236 to 295 pound-feet. More importantly, the models will get anywhere from 51 to 60 miles per gallon, when tested on the more lenient European driving cycle. And while manual transmission will be standard (this is Europe, after all), the A6 will have a seven-speed automatic transmission option. Pricing will start at 32,600 euros ($44,000 US) for the base A4 and work its way up to 45,000 euros (about $61,000) for the top of the line A6. Last year, Audi boosted its diesel sales in the US by 40 percent to just over 10,000 units, though that accounted for just a fraction of the approximately 158,000 cars the company sold domestically in 2013. Audi has a press release on the new models below. The new ultra models from Audi A4, A5 and A6 with impressive efficiency • New ultra models from Audi with 136 hp, 163 hp and 190 hp • Greater efficiency with unchanged driving dynamics • Emissions of just 104 to 119 grams of CO2 per kilometer (167.37 to 191.51 g/mile) Audi A6 2.0 TDI ultra, Audi A5 2.0 TDI ultra, Audi A3 1.6 TDI ultra Audi is expanding its ultra strategy with 11 new models: Especially efficient engine versions in the A4, A5 and A6 model lines will be launched in early 2014. A new and powerful two-liter TDI will provide the drive at 100 kW (136 hp), 120 kW (163 hp) or 140 kW (190 hp); the engine emits just 104 to 119 grams of CO2 per kilometer (167.37 to 191.51 g/mile) depending on the model. The "ultra" designation stands for sustainable mobility that is fully available for everyday use. With a combined fuel consumption rate of 3.9 to 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers (60.31 to 51.13 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 104 to 119 grams per kilometer (167.37 to 191.51 g/mile), the new ultra models from Audi are among the most efficient cars of their segment – without any limitation on the driving dynamics or customary comfort. Audi Board Member for Development, Prof. Dr.