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Next Audi R8 E-Tron could have 280-mile range

Just 265 miles of range on a single charge? Meh. That's what the folks at Audi might be saying about the Tesla Model S and its estimated range. Because the German automaker says the next iteration of the R8 E-Tron could go 450 kilometers on a charge, or about 281 miles. This information comes from Automotive News, which cites a presentation from Audi technology chief Ulrich Hackenberg at the company's annual press conference. The fact that the car will soon be available "upon request" is also news. The project was thought to be shelved until reports came out late last year saying that Audi figured out a way to upgrade its lithium-ion battery technology to double its range. Audi spokesman Brad Stertz said the company wasn't disclosing details related to if or when the car would reach North America or how much it would cost (we're guessing a really large number of dollars) but he did say it was notable that the project was back on track. Audi made news in the summer of 2012 when the R8 E-Tron set the "series production electric car" speed record with a 8:09.099 minute-time at Nurburgring thanks to a boosted top speed of more than 155 miles per hour.

Audi bringing TT Clubsport Turbo concept to Worthersee

Is the world ready for an Audi TT with 600 horsepower? Well it had better be, because that's exactly what Ingolstadt has in store for this year's GTI-Treffen at Worthersee, Austria. Billed as a "technology concept," this TT show car packs a 2.5-liter inline-five with two electric turbochargers. Audi is developing electric turbos for its diesel engines, but has found a performance application here in a gasoline engine. The result is a whopping 600 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, driving all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Weighing in at 3,078 pounds and with those electric turbos spooling up quick, it's said to reach 62 in 3.6 seconds en route to a top speed of over 192 miles per hour. In a TT. The turbos are powered by a 48-volt electrical system, juiced by a compact lithium-ion battery in the trunk that can store regenerated power. It's also got a coilover suspension and electric jack to get over obstacles like curbs and speed bumps. The whole thing rides on 20-inch alloys with a two-tone finish, with carbon-ceramic discs to keep it all in check, and as you can see, a rather aggressive-looking widebody aero kit. All of which makes for a rather stunning concept, even if its encroachment on the R8 means it will likely never see production. Related Video: Ingolstadt/Reifnitz, 2015-05-08 Tremendous thrust right from the start: the Audi TT clubsport turbo technology concept car - Premiere at Worthersee: show car has 2.5 TFSI and electric biturbo - 441 kW (600 hp) and 650 Nm (479.4 lb-ft), 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.6 seconds - Development chief Prof. Dr. Hackenberg: "Technology close to production readiness" Wide add-on parts, a powerful rear wing and a power output of 441 kW (600 hp) – the Audi TT clubsport turbo impresses with its power and design. From May 13 to 16, Audi will be showing its technology concept car on the Worthersee Tour in the Austrian town of Reifnitz. The inspiration for the show car came from the successful Audi 90 IMSA GTO of the late 1980s. A new technology is making its debut under the hood. The car's electric biturbo adds even more dynamism to the driving experience with its spontaneous response. "The electric biturbo signifies a new dimension in driving enjoyment; it boosts sprinting ability and torque and enables high peak power," explains Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi Board Member for Technical Development. "In our TDI engines, we are close to production readiness with this technology.

2014 Audi R8 officially on sale, starting at $114,900*

After skipping the 2013 model year, the Audi R8 is back for 2014 with a new look, added performance and a slightly higher starting price. In V8 coupe form, the 2014 R8 starts at $114,900 (*not including $1,250 for destination and a $3,000 gas-guzzler tax), but looking at that price, which has risen just $5,900 since the performance coupe first debuted in the US for 2008, inflation doesn't seem to have hit the R8 as hard as some other sports coupes - like, say, the Nissan GT-R.
Opting for the S tronic automatic gearbox will cost $9,100 for all models, while R8 V8 and R8 V10 models still offer the drop-top Spyder model for an extra $13,500. Not available in Spyder form, is the all-new 550-horsepower R8 V10 Plus, which starts at $170,545. Scroll down for the full pricing breakdown of the 2014 R8, which went on sale yesterday.