Audi has announced that it will be displaying an electric concept vehicle based on the Audi R8 at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Expo. This concept, called E-Tron will be competing with the likes of similar Eco-Friendly concepts from rivals such as BMW and Mercedes Benz for grabbing maximum attention.

Details about BMW’s Vision Efficient Dynamics and the AMG tuned electric car, based on the upcoming SLS super car’s platform, have been officially released.The BMW concept will features a three cylinder, 1.5 liter turbo diesel engine with a plug in hybrid-electric motor while the Merc concept will be a 525 horsepower, performance electric car tuned by AMG. Both the cars are path breaking concepts. The electric SLS will take electric cars to a new level in terms of performance while the Vision EfficientDynamics will help showcase its prowess in making clean and efficient diesel engines, and possibly showcase that they suite hybrid cars better than gasoline engines.

Audi is yet to give out any official details about the car. However, the sketches released suggest that car is a pure, electric car, given the lack of cooling fins for the mid mounted engine which will be present in the case of a hybrid. Audi E-Tron looks similar to the R8 in most regards. The only differences can be found out on the new LED headlamps, front grille, and the lack of air scoops near the doors. The interior of the car will be significantly different from the current R8. The car will also receive aerodynamic updates so as reduce the drag coefficient as much as possible. Having a clean and uncluttered design will allow smooth flow of air around the car.

Even though details about the cars drive train are yet to be released, it will be safe assume nothing revolutionary will be present in the car. If that is the case, the car will feature the same, basic configuration of the Tesla electric cars. The challenge with Audi will be to address the flaws the Tesla had, which include pathetic dynamics, impractical range and exorbitant price.

Audi had been giving to numerous clues about their plan to unveil an electric car at Frankfurt. The websites contained many videos and trailers that were about electric-power and environment.The Audi better be good, for its arch rivals BMW and Mercedes have some compelling Eco-concepts heading for Frankfurt.