Rumours of an electric powered R8, with an individual engine powering each wheel, had been circulating well in advance of the Frankfurt Motor Show. So, then, Audi surprised nobody when they revealed the e-tron at the IAA a few days ago.
Just take a look at the numbers: 230kW; 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds; 60-120km/h in 4.8 seconds, with a range that would get you from Canberra to Sydney. Well, Campbelltown actually. But that’s almost inner city these days. However, the biggest number will seem like a typo, but it is fair dinkum. Of course, I am referring to the e-tron’s Biblical 4500Nm of torque. That would allow Moses to part not just the Red Sea, but every sea and ocean on the planet!
The e-tron is more than an electric car, too, it is a pointer to the direction for Audi’s technology to be introduced to its conventional models. Things like the car-to-x communication system that sends data from the car so it can be received by other vehicles. Such systems are being developed by other manufacturers and a common language should ensure compatibility. Car-to-x comms can help avoid accidents. Here’s an example, say you lose control in your fancy e-tron and head to the other side of the road, the car-to-x technology will send data pinpointing your location to other cars in the area. This will allow oncoming traffic to be warned of your misfortune in what amounts to real time. Neat, huh.
How about trick LED headlamps that can illuminate oncoming corners by following your trajectory via the e-tron’s Sat Nav system. That makes the fact the same headlights can auto dim themselves to suit weather conditions, such as fog, seem positively dull.
There’s also a new “brake-by-wire” technology that, among other things, helps recharge the battery using a system similar to the KERS systems on F1 cars.
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg, so take in Audi’s press release and gallery of 30 wallpaper-friendly images after the jump.
