All posts in “Audi PB18 e-tron”

Audi Will Build Production Version of PB18 e-tron

An All-Electric, German Supercar

Audi confirmed in a recent interview that it will take the PB18 e-tron concept car that it showed off last year and make a production model. The all-electric supercar is a model that wowed everyone when it appeared at Monterey Car Week.

However, I didn’t expect it to actually become a production car. With that said, Audi is pushing hard for EV development, and this is one way to continue that progress. 

Audi’s Global CEO Bram Schot told Autoweek Netherlands that the company would make 50 of the unique EV supercar. He also said the car would be launched in the next two years. 

Schot didn’t let slip many details about the car. If it has performance specifications close to the actual concept, the vehicle could have 671 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque. Audi claimed the car could go from 0 to 62 mph in just two seconds. I hope the production car will be that powerful and fast or even faster. 

Powering the concept car was a 95-kilowatt-hour battery that provided enough juice for about 310 miles of range. Audi claimed that the 800-volt charger allowed the battery to reach full capacity in about 15 minutes. 

I don’t know if we should expect the production car to have more impressive or less impressive technology than the concept car. My first instinct is to suggest it would be slightly less impressive. However, with the way EV technology is developing, I wouldn’t be surprised if Audi could squeeze a little more performance out of the design by the time the car came to market. 

According to The Supercar Blog, the car will be a precursor to the new Audi R8, which it says will be a 1000 hp all-electric supercar. 

January 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Audi Will Build Production Version of PB18 e-tron
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Audi PB18 e-tron Concept

Audi’s Latest Take On The Mid-Engined Electric Supercar

The Audi PB18 e-tron Concept was recently unveiled during Monterey Car Week taking place in Pebble Beach, California. Just a few hours’ drive away is where it was designed, at the new Audi Design Studio in Malibu.   

This new concept car derives its naming scheme – and some of its DNA – from the Audi R18 e-tron LMP1 racing car. The PB18 also carries an uncanny resemblance to the company’s Audi Aicon concept which appeared at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. However, unlike the aforementioned which was touted as a completely autonomous vehicle, the PB18 requires a driver behind the wheel.

Powering the PB18 are three electric motors which deliver a combined output of 670-horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque to the all-wheel-drive system, and achieves 0-100 km/h in just over 2 seconds. The 95-kWh battery is stated to provide over 310 miles of driving range on a full charge, and can be recharged in under 15 minutes with an 800 volt station.

The PB18 body is the amalgamation of an extensive use of aluminum, carbon fibre and other lightweight composites. The car still weighs a not-exactly-flattering 3,417 pounds, though taking into account that this is a fully electric vehicle will save Audi any blushes. Afterall, the battery placement ensures that the PB18 has the weight distribution of a mid-engine car, while also borrowing the magnetic suspension from the R18 race car.

Most notable – as far as eye-catching features are concerned – would have to be the central seating position. Even with the proliferation of high performance, track-oriented supercars and hypercars these days, this is very rare to see. There are however, controls which allow the seat to shifted to the side and allow room for a passenger.  

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September 11, 2018 / Comments Off on Audi PB18 e-tron Concept
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