Audi e-tron Spyder photos: Hybrid sports car promises 128mpg

Remember that Audi e-tron we showed you last year? Y'know, the electric R8? Audi's only gone and lopped the roof off to create a spyder version. Somebody pass us a Tena Lady.

Unlike the hard-top e-tron, which was purely electric, this model is a plug-in hybrid. It uses a lithium-ion battery plus a pair of 88bhp electric motors mounted to the front axle which, altogether, can drive the car for up to 31 miles at a speed of 37mph.

When that energy is depleted, it can be replenished from a household electrical outlet or the driver can make use of the car's 3-litre, TDI diesel engine to extend its range.

With the electric motors and the TDI engine working in tandem, the car is capable of a 4.4-second 0-60mph sprint, an electronically limited top speed of 155mph and a total driving range of 621 miles. What's more, according to Audi, the e-tron Spyder's hybrid powertrain can deliver 128.4mpg and CO2 emissions of just 59g/km.

Obviously, these figures are pretty incredible and our natural instinct is to take them with a pinch of salt. Still, this sort of performance is technically achievable, so we'll give Audi the benefit of the doubt.

Inside, the car has some pretty interesting tech. Users can control Audi's multimedia interface via a large touchscreen display on the dash, but the system can also be controlled with touch-sensitive panels on the spokes of the steering wheel. It's a fairly clever idea, though buttons would probably have been a better solution in this particular instance.

All things considered, the e-tron Spyder is a tasty prospect. If it really can deliver the sort of performance and, more importantly, the sort of fuel economy Audi claims, rival hybrid sports cars such as the Porsche 918 Spyder could have some serious competition.

Have a gander through the photos in our gallery above and tell us how you feel about it below.