FC Barcelona players test-drive Audi’s first hybrid plug-in vehicle

FC Barcelona players test-drive Audi’s first hybrid plug-in vehicle

The players and manager Luis Enrique have taken part in the Audi e-tron challenge, which involves generating electricity by passing tests, before receiving the new cars that they’ll be driving this season

The FC Barcelona players have been able to enjoy a brand new driving experience by getting to test-drive Audi’s first hybrid plug-in vehicle, the A3 Sportback e-tron, which reveals the importance of new technologies in the sustainable mobility of the future. This was followed by the annual presentation of the new cars that they’ll be driving in the 2014/15 season.

The members of the team were divided into different groups to take part in the Audi e-tron challenge, which involves passing different tests to generate electrical energy. These exercises include the Audi e-tron Bikes, an electrically powered prototype of bike that uses the three technologies that Audi is planning to use to revolutionise the future: Audi ultra, Audi e-tron and Audi connect.

The players also got to show off their reactions and reflexes with the Audi Batak, a light panel designed to improve coordination and quick reactions. The third group tested their skills with a special ball, which they had to kick to recharge with energy.

They then got to drive the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, which can travel 50 km in exclusively electrical mode, and which has autonomy of a further 890 km using a 204 CV TFSI engine. The hybrid system intelligently regulates the interaction between the engines. The vehicle is packed with innovations and features created for the cities of the future.

Hosted by Marc Gené

The Audi event was held on the Auditorium 1899 forecourt, and was hosted by a very special guest in driver Marc Gené, runner-up at the Le Mans 24 Hours, who explained the new technology to the players and revealed the secrets of the R18 e-tron that he drove in the famous resistance race.


Finally, the first team and manager Luis Enrique received their new vehicles for the 2014/15 season, with the Audi A7 Sportback and the Audi Q7 being the most popular choices.

Statements by president Josep Maria Bartomeu:

"It is eight years since FC Barcelona and Audi started a relationship that is much more than a mere sponsorship deal. We feel identified with a company that is a leader in its sector. It is a satisfaction and an honour for us to share the passion of getting better every day, to evolve and grow, using new technologies, innovation and sportsmanship. We very much like Audi’s focus on sustainable mobility in our cities using e-tron, Audis’ hybrid plug-in technology".

Statements by the director of Audi España, Guillermo Fadda:

"Our most immediate challenge is to continue making progress while offering solutions to achieve sustainable mobility in our cities through technology, and the next step is called e-tron".

Força Barça
Força Barça

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