Audi has confirmed at the Paris Auto Show that it is indeed building an electric car. However contrary to previous postings, it will definitely not be based on the A1, but possibly the VW Up! concept.

Audi has confirmed plans to launch a small electric city car, likely to be based on the VW Up! concept.

Peter Schwarzenbauer, who sits on the management board at Ingolstadt, told Autocar “We will offer a pure electric car” at last week’s Paris motor show.

Schwarzenbauer was responding to rumours that Mini is planning an electric version of the Cooper for the LA motor show in November.

He went on to reveal that the small electric Audi “will not be based on the A1”, the firm’s premium supermini, which was previewed by a concept car in Paris.

This morning Audi unveiled it’s A1 Sportback Hybrid at the Paris Auto Show.

The car has a four-cylinder, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine delivering 150hp and also a 27 kilowatt electric motor that assists the gasoline engine under acceleration. The electric motor can power the car for short distances.

Lithium-ion batteries can power the vehicle for up to 100km and can be charged from a standard wall outlet.

Fuel consumption is said to be 3.9L/100km, which is the equivalent of 72 MPG.

It measures less then 4 meters, which is just over 13ft and has five doors and four seats.

The concept is a preview of a production A1 car that Audi will build at a rate of about 100,000 units a year starting at the end of 2009.

For more information visit www.AudiForum.ca