Audi’s all-electric e-tron concept has officially taken to the show stage at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Rumors about an electric R8 first surfaced in May, but Audi denied the claims. As it turns out, Audi picked its words carefully — that’s because the e-tron is not an R8, but instead something entirely new.
Although technically not an electric version of Audi’s R8 supercar, the e-tron concepts places a heavy emphasis on all-out performance. The e-tron features independent electric motors at all four corners, giving the concept a true quattro all-wheel drive system. Combined output is 313 horsepower and a staggering 3,319 lb-ft or torque.
That power is enough to scoot the e-tron from 0-62 in 4.8 seconds. The rush from 37-75 mph is accomplished in only 4.1 seconds, according to Audi.
The e-tron utilizes a lithium-ion battery back, located low and behind the passenger compartment for optimal weight distribution (42/58). Audi says the e-tron carries enough juice for a 154 mile range. All LED lighting and other power saving features ensure that maximum range.
Although the e-tron is no feather weight at 3,527 pounds, the EV is fairly light considering it carries a 1,036 pound battery pack.
No word on any production plans for the e-tron, but with Mercedes-Benz readying an all-electric version of its SLS AMG, we fully expect to see an all-electric Audi supercar on the roads in the near future.
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09/16, 7:45 AM
posted by:
jimbocardude2
If it looks anything like the R8 in person, I think Audi has a huge hit on their hands
09/16, 8:54 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
it’s too bad this is just a model to show their potential. In real life, some of the things in this car would have a premium price that would surpass the premium price of it’s ev tag….which probably mean it would come out like this…which might not be a bad thing though, if an ev version comes out for the r8 and it looks exactly the same from the inside and out, I am 100% okay with that:D
09/16, 10:19 AM
posted by:
Borat
I don’t think it will match price of Tesla or Karma for about the same level of performance. Of course this one is AWD, but if you need AWD (cold weather) you probably will forgo batteries int he first place. I hope there will be internal combustion engines for my life span. I love them blowing up compressed fuel mixture.
09/16, 10:35 AM
posted by:
armstealer
“…not enough idiots…”
09/16, 10:37 AM
posted by:
Elvacano
Ok, so it’s not a R8, just a mini electric version, it just looks similar, just like all Audi look like different size versions of each other.
09/16, 10:59 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
3,319 lb-ft of torque? Really? Nice to know you can use it Monday to Friday to get to work and then pull stumps on the weekend.
09/16, 11:19 AM
posted by:
QR25SpecV
That thing has more torque than a semi truck, no exaggeration. Pull stumps, more like tow the space shuttle.
09/16, 12:05 PM
posted by:
eff1Fifty
LOL to u both.
I so called it back when they first said Electric R8 (I don’t care what they say, its a freaking R8), torque monster! That thing could do what they always do in the cartoons where the car burns out and the road bunches up behind it!
09/16, 12:10 PM
posted by:
wakeNbake
Looks more like a TT than an R8 to me.
09/16, 1:45 PM
posted by:
TornadoGTI
I see a lot of TT in this as well. I dont know how I feel about those wheels though. The look like something that should be on a low rider Chevy Caprice with hydraulics. Not for me but is certainly interesting to see that is has over 3,000 lb-ft of torque. That is rediculous. I can’t imagine what that would translate to on the road.
09/16, 2:21 PM
posted by:
jimbocardude
and my god, this thing almost makes as much torque as it weighs
09/16, 2:25 PM
posted by:
JSi
R8…
09/16, 2:40 PM
posted by:
cocojoe53
Golf Cart, fast golf cart, but golf cart none the less. I don’t even want to guess what that might cost. The light weight would suggest the use of very lightweight materials ($$$) Pure electric cars are still 10 years off. The truth is the battery tech. is still not were it needs to be to produce a afforable, or for that matter any kind of practical car….
09/16, 4:56 PM
posted by:
Bosley
I would like to know who’s the bigger idiot? The person who pays too much for a car, or the person who speaks too soon about one?……….
Remember those SNL skits where they had a narrator read ‘Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handy’. Well this is my ‘Deep Thoughts with Bosley’ for the day……
09/16, 9:21 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
3,319 lb-ft of torque? The car doesn’t move, the wheels move the planet.
09/16, 10:03 PM
posted by:
reedfast
i see…………… an R8 pulling a train at 150 mph
maybe these engines could be used for commercial planes. Bye Bye Rolls Royce, hello audi.
09/17, 12:53 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
Build it and we will come…..I want it now.
09/17, 1:04 PM
posted by:
A4
Does anyone even know what to do with that much torque when you can’t fit the vehicle with a hitch?
09/17, 1:05 PM
posted by:
A4
I think snoop dogg has those rims on his Impala, too.
09/17, 2:34 PM
posted by:
cocojoe53
For any electric automobile to be successful in the market place, the following goals must be met:
1) Must have a 200 mile range.
2) Battery pack must be able to be fully recharged in 2 hours
3) Battery pack, motor must weigh close to the internal combustion engine and fuel tank they are replacing.
4)Acceleration and handling must at least be as good as, lets say, a Honda Fit…..
09/19, 4:23 PM
posted by:
GTRDONE
jawdropping beauty. i just hope they dont change it too much if it were to go into production. anyone else think those wheels are amazing?
09/19, 4:54 PM
posted by:
Audi RS5
From what I’ve heard, top speed will be limited to 200km/h, 124mp/h, IF it goes into production at this point in time.