With the German big three well into research and development for alternative power sources, the latest e-Tron Concept from Audi represents Ingolstadt’s grab for glory in light of rival machinery that recently emerged from Munich and Stuttgart.By Kyle Kock
Eco-friendly cars don’t exactly have reputations as being powerful in the conventional petrol-headed sense of the word, but the instant torque granted by electric powerplants have proved favourable in the sprint stakes – just ask Tesla, who’s range-topping Roadster Sport has trounced all sorts of exotica abroad.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW sure haven’t been quiet about their alternative power programmes, with the SLS eDrive and Vision EfficientDynamics kicking up plenty of bother in the news recently, and for all the right reasons too – just look at that BMW beauty.
So what better way for Audi to play into the world of exotic electric cars than to dispatch of that pesky Tesla and blow the tops off its German rivals with a new sports car (that just happens to look like an R8) which makes use of four electric motors (one on each wheel) that develop a combined 230 kW and … wait for it, a mind boggling 4 500 N.m of torque.
A zero to 100 km/h sprint in the sub five second range seems about right then, and its top speed has been limited to 200 km/h so that motors don’t sap the 213kg Lithium-ion battery pack within the estimated 248 km range. Audi reckons the battery pack requires six to eight hours to charge on a 220V power outlet, while 400V plug allows for a full charge in just two and a half hours.
Unfortunately, the e-Tron doesn’t appear to be anywhere near as mean as the V10-engined R8, but still manages to look unique thanks to its wide stance, LED matrix-beam headlamps and illuminated grille. In the interests of keeping aerodynamic drag to an absolute minimum, the e-Tron also makes use of a bodykit that employs active components such as air intakes with flaps that open and close accordingly.
The interior is a typical concept affair, featuring plenty of open spaces and wonderful technologically-advanced features that seem hard-pressed to make it to the production line. It still manages to make that connection to the brand through a driver-oriented layout that boasts a flat-bottomed steering wheel and racing-style seats.
Located where the instrument cluster would traditionally have been, is a large, fold-out central display with integrated MMI controls flanked by two round dials that displays vital information like speed, range and how much power is being used. The MMI system is controlled via touch sensitive pads on the steering wheel.
