Audi has set up a new division with approximately 100 employees to work specifically on a range of electric e-Tron vehicles. The first car the team will produce will be the Audi R8 e-Tron, which we already confirmed was in the works. Production will began at a modest rate—approximately 100 units a year—but will ramp up to 1,000 units a year soon after that. In comparison, Audi built approximately 6,000 R8 coupes in 2009. The R8 e-Tron will be the most expensive model in the Audi line when it goes for sale in 2012, which means it will cost more than the $146,000 Audi R8 5.2 FSI. If the R8 e-Tron sells well, a full line of electric vehicles will see production.

"You can assume we'll have not just one but two or three or even more electric cars," said Filip Brabec, general manager of product planning for Audi of America.

[via AutoNews.com]