Audi confirms R8 E-Tron and new A3 for 2012

Audi will spend more than $13.7 billion on the “development of new models and on technologies of the future such as electric or hybrid drive.”

“We are aiming to achieve strong growth on an international scale and boost our lightweight construction and electric mobility areas of expertise in particular,” said Thomas Sigi, Audi AG member of the board of management for human resources.

More people than in previous years, a total of 3,500 people joined Audi in 2011. Audi had planned to recruit 1,200 experts but offered more than 1,300 additional jobs in Germany.

The car maker also provided permanent contracts to more than 400 temporary employees and 700 apprentices have started vocational training in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. The numbers also increased at sites located abroad: more than 1,400 new employees have started work in Györ in 2011 and 270 in Brussels.

At the same time, Audi has confirmed the release in 2012 of the new generation A3 and R8 e-tron in a limited edition by the end of the year.

The prototype of the R8 E-Tron that was presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was powered by a 53 kWh lithium-ion battery and featured four electric motors which were generating 308 horsepower and a 4.500 Nm of torque. The supercar can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds.