The Audi e-tron electric SUV will produce more than 408hp and be capable of a sub six-second 0-62mph time when it is officially unveiled before the end of 2018.
Audi has released more technical information on the fully-electric car, stating that it will combine enormous power and high efficiency. A key figure is a potential range of 248 miles before recharging, measured on the new ‘real-world’ WLTP cycle, and aided by new energy recuperation technology.
The e-tron will be powered by two electric motors which in normal conditions will have a peak output of 265kW, equivalent to 360hp, alongside 561Nm of torque. However a boost mode, activated by shifting a drive mode selector in the cockpit and fully depressing the accelerator pedal, will allow the car to produce 300kW (408hp) and 600Nm for eight seconds.
Innovative energy recovery
The recuperation system contributes up to 30% of the e-tron’s range, making use of both electric motors and an electrohydraulically integrated brake control system. An innovation in the car is to combine three different recuperation modes: manually while coasting through shift paddles on the steering wheel, automatic coasting and through energy produced by braking.
Around 90% of all deceleration – up to 0.3 – will be carried out only using the electric motors, with the driver able to choose three levels of recuperation, from no drag when releasing the accelerator pedal to a noticeable reduction in speed. The driver will be able to accelerate and slow down using only the accelerator pedal, effectively a single-pedal car.
The braking system will only contribute to the recuperation when the driver uses the brake pedal to decelerate by more than 0.3g. A new electrohydraulic actuation concept used for the first time employs a hydraulic piston in the compact brake module to generate additional pressure, making the brakes very rapid in action.
The whole system will be integrated with the car’s systems deciding whether to use the electric motor, the wheel brake or a combination of both for deceleration, with the driver not noticing the switch from one to the other.
Audi recently ran the prototype e-tron at the Pike’s Peak hillclimb in Colorado, USA – an event that also saw the Volkswagen I. D. Pike’s Peak electric race car set a record time on the 20km course up the 4,302 metre mountain.
Running on a 31km course descending 1900 metres down the mountain, the e-tron recovered enough energy back to the battery to cover the same distance again.
