Audi A3 e-gas: Prototype to synthetic natural gas

After the battery and the electric engine or a fuel cell hybrid technology, hybrid, here are the manufacturer with the four rings is venturing into the field of powered cars to synthetic natural gas.

Audi A3 e-gas

This Audi A3 is not a concept but rather a prototype using laboratory development of future models that will use a new form of natural gas as an alternative fuel. This gas called synthesis produced by Audi is a mixture of CO2 and hydrogen with CO2 fumes are virtually nil.

Under the hood of the A3, there is a four-cylinder 1.4-liter TFSI TURBOCHARGED whose power is 109 horsepower. The latter is here associated with two tanks, one of which is filled with compressed gas and the other gas.

In fashion synthetic natural gas the car presents a range of 250 km, while reaching a maximum speed of 190 km / h. In gas mode, the car can enjoy performances already known.

The engineers have chosen this method of propulsion because it does not affect the weight of the car and the supply of synthetic natural gas is relatively simple.

Of 2013 some 1500 Audi A3 tcng will be made available to customers design has to proceed field testing of this new technological approach. Thereafter, it may be offered first on the German market for models A3 and A4 e-gas.

In addition, the manufacturer will eventually use wind turbines and solar panels to supply electricity its main factories. Surplus electricity produced can be used to power the electric motor prototypes in development, including the Audi A1 and A3 e-tron and others.

There is also the issue that surplus electricity could be used to produce hydrogen by electrolysis or Methane by the magic of different possible chemical combinations.