Audi first brought the e-Tron concept to the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September of last year, and while I was definitely in love with the red paint, the rest of the car left something to be desired. It looks a bit like an R8 from the future by way of 1957. But as with all concept vehicles, there is usually a key factor that makes them important, and with the e-Tron it was all about the power train. the car propels itself forward using four separate lithium-ion powered electric motors, which combine to produce some 313 hp and a staggering 3,129 lb ft of torque, which I believe might be enough to make the world spin backwards. Audi claims a 0 to 62 mph sprint of just under 5 seconds, which isn’t bad considering the curb weight of the vehicle is just over three and a half thousand pounds.

Cut to the LA Auto Show this year, and the e-Tron has made second appearance, only this time its orange and it has a projected roll out year of 2012. Even Audi states that electric only automobiles are outsiders in the consumer market, as vehicles like the Tesla demonstrate, but with an all electric sports car with the four ring marque on the front of it might be enough to change hearts and minds. If the fine folks at Ingolstadt can get that electric power train into production, it seems like the rest of the car is similar enough to the R8 to make that 2012 street date a reality.

I will be watching this one closely, as I’m sure you will be.