Audi PB18 E-Tron Concept Is A Driver’s Car From The Future


In a world where every new electric vehicle concept seems to be fitted with autonomous driving systems, Audi has done the automotive world a favour with its latest creation. Welcome to the Audi PB18 e-tron Concept.

Introduced during Monterey Car Week in California, the PB18 e-tron Concept is an all-electric supercar that’s designed specifically for driving thrills. Consequently, there is no semi-autonomous driving technology.


The car uses three electric motors. Up front, there’s a motor delivering 201 hp while two other motors power the rear wheels and output a further 604 hp. In typical driving, the combined power sits at 671 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque but if the driver is brave enough, peak power of 764 hp can be funneled to the ground in short bursts. All told, the concept hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in a touch over two seconds.

Beyond all the impressive grunt the powertrain delivers, it has also been designed to be exceptionally efficient. With that in mind, the PB18 e-tron recovers a considerable amount of energy while it’s being driven as the electric motors are solely responsible for decelerating the vehicle in low-to-moderate braking scenarios.


The presence of electric motors at both the front and rear axles has allowed Audi to implement a Torque Control Manager that works alongside the Electronic Stabilization Control. This system actively distributes power to the wheels as needed to provide the best possible performance.

As for the battery, it is 95 kWh in capacity and has an impressive range exceeding 500 km (310 miles) in the WLTP cycle. The concept has also been designed for charging with a voltage of 800 volts, meaning it can be fully recharged in just 15 minutes. The car also supports Audi Wireless Charging that simply involves placing a charging pad on the floor and the car being parked over it. The alternating magnetic field creates an alternating voltage in the secondary coil fitted in the floor of the car, allowing it to charge wirelessly.


The Audi PB18 e-tron Concept also takes inspiration from Audi’s successful R18 e-tron quattro Le Mans racing car and comes complete with a similar suspension system. This setup combines push-rods on the front axle with pull-rods at the rear. Both the front and rear are completed with adaptive magnetic ride shock absorbers.

Another interesting element of the concept is its cabin. Depending on the driver’s preferences, the interior can be changed from a two-person layout to a single-seater configuration.


Audi has no plans on bringing the PB18 e-tron Concept to the road.

Carscoops

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Edition Ford GT 'Competition Series' Is All About The Track

Image
Ford's new GT Competition Series was built with weight-saving in mind, but also with an improved center of gravity for better road-holding. Among its features, you'll notice the lightweight carbon fiber racing stripes, A-Pillars and side mirrors, as well as the unique race-inspired Perspex acrylic engine hatch with integrated venting. Thanks to the manual latch and the carbon fiber prop rod, weight near the roof has been reduced, though Ford engineers went even further in their quest to make the car lighter, by making the bulkhead Gorilla Glass behind the driver about half as thick (and as light) as on other models. "The Ford GT has racing in its blood," said Ford exec Raj Nair, while adding that the Competition Series "was developed with the most hardcore track enthusiasts in mind, providing a tailored set of lightweight features and unique livery to match." There are also plenty of remaining performance features from the production car, such as
Read more

Alpine A110 Hits Geneva With Pure, Legende And GT4 Versions

Image
Renault’s reborn Alpine brand has been getting rave reviews for its new A110 and now, as promised, it’s revealed new versions of its coupe at the Geneva Motor Show. Following the success of the sold-out Premiere Edition, the A110 will now be offered in Pure and Legende trims. The A110 Pure is targeted at driving enthusiasts. It features one-piece Sabelt sports seats that weigh barely more than 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds) each and, combined with other weight-saving measures, helps keep the curb weight below 1,100 kg ( 2,425 lbs). It’s not entirely stripped out, though, and still comes with features like air-conditioning and satellite navigation. Buyers can also add upgraded Brembo brakes and an adaptive exhaust system and can upgrade to the adjustable comfort seats. Those come standard on the Legende model, which is geared more towards every day driving and grand touring and comes with leather upholstery. Customers can also choose between two Focal sound systems and two wheel
Read more

Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet Is A Crossover For Droptop Lovers

Image
Droptop crossovers have always been rather odd and the T-Roc Cabriolet is no different. It will be the only convertible Volkswagen on sale for the foreseeable future and will celebrate its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Rather than simply removing the roof of the standard T-Roc, Volkswagen has drastically altered the vehicle’s structure and body. In fact, its wheelbase is 37 mm longer than the standard T-Roc while its overall length is up by 34 mm. In addition, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet features structural strengthening in the underbody, side panels, cross members, doors, and windscreen frame to make up for the lack of a roof. The folding fabric roof developed by Volkswagen retracts in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 19 mph (30.5 km/h) and is similar in operation to the roof of the outgoing Golf Cabriolet. The presence of the soft top reduces trunk space by 161 liters down from the 284 liters of the run-of-the-mill T-Roc. We don’t think bu
Read more