Battery and weight
Consisting of numerous lithium-ion single-cells, the battery pack is wired in series and parallel to ensure maximum output.
Many of us know about powertrain loss or engine efficiency. This is what energy is left going to the wheels once all the parasitic accessories munch on their portion of the power generated by the engine. In a typical car, roughly 30% of the horsepower and torque will make the wheels spin. In the case of an electric motor, between 70 and 80% actually motivate the car. Specifically, in this case, the battery stores 53 kWh of energy and the usable portion amounts to 42.4 kWh. As there are fewer moving parts, the electric vehicle is all the more efficient.
One of the major issues with batteries is weight. The R8's pack tips the scale at a whopping 550 kg (1,210 lb). By comparison, the R8's V10 and 6-speed 'box make up roughly 400 kg of the car's 1,685-kg total weight. The e-tron, itself, comes in at just over 1,600 kg. As the e-tron is lighter, we would expect it to be quicker than the V10, but as battery technology progresses, the weight will decrease, efficiency will grow and performance, well, will be measured in warp-speed increments.
Fast range
My test drive of the R8 e-tron was quick, teaser-like quick. What I can tell you is that hammering the throttle on this does little more than crush your brain into the back of your skull. It is difficult for me to say with precision what I also felt, given the lightning-fast romp, but the controls felt heavy, almost under-assisted. That may also be the result of a long day of presentations and a tour of Audi's brand-spanking-new Aggregate Center.
In the end, I was seriously left wanting more. The Audi rep in the car with us was egging us on, telling to mash the gas. Driven this way, the e-tron’s 250-km range would never hold true. Given that there were many journos in line to drive the car, this is as good as I could expect.
Coming to us?
Audi has formally announced that the R8 e-tron will make it to production and be available by the end of 2012. As far as where the car will be sold or leased, that information has yet to become available.
My best guess is that it will come to North America, however it will be reserved for specific markets only, at least until a network of charging stations become a reality. I'm thinking Los Angeles, New York and Toronto.
Consisting of numerous lithium-ion single-cells, the battery pack is wired in series and parallel to ensure maximum output.
Many of us know about powertrain loss or engine efficiency. This is what energy is left going to the wheels once all the parasitic accessories munch on their portion of the power generated by the engine. In a typical car, roughly 30% of the horsepower and torque will make the wheels spin. In the case of an electric motor, between 70 and 80% actually motivate the car. Specifically, in this case, the battery stores 53 kWh of energy and the usable portion amounts to 42.4 kWh. As there are fewer moving parts, the electric vehicle is all the more efficient.
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| When battery technology progresses, the weight will decrease, efficiency will grow and performance, well, will be measured in warp-speed increments. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
One of the major issues with batteries is weight. The R8's pack tips the scale at a whopping 550 kg (1,210 lb). By comparison, the R8's V10 and 6-speed 'box make up roughly 400 kg of the car's 1,685-kg total weight. The e-tron, itself, comes in at just over 1,600 kg. As the e-tron is lighter, we would expect it to be quicker than the V10, but as battery technology progresses, the weight will decrease, efficiency will grow and performance, well, will be measured in warp-speed increments.
Fast range
My test drive of the R8 e-tron was quick, teaser-like quick. What I can tell you is that hammering the throttle on this does little more than crush your brain into the back of your skull. It is difficult for me to say with precision what I also felt, given the lightning-fast romp, but the controls felt heavy, almost under-assisted. That may also be the result of a long day of presentations and a tour of Audi's brand-spanking-new Aggregate Center.
In the end, I was seriously left wanting more. The Audi rep in the car with us was egging us on, telling to mash the gas. Driven this way, the e-tron’s 250-km range would never hold true. Given that there were many journos in line to drive the car, this is as good as I could expect.
Coming to us?
Audi has formally announced that the R8 e-tron will make it to production and be available by the end of 2012. As far as where the car will be sold or leased, that information has yet to become available.
My best guess is that it will come to North America, however it will be reserved for specific markets only, at least until a network of charging stations become a reality. I'm thinking Los Angeles, New York and Toronto.
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