It’s the jewel in the crown of Audi’s electric plans! Auto Express drove the R8-based e-tron show car less than a year ago (Issue 1,094) – however currently, we’ve tried an efficient, production-bodied version, to be built in limited volume by 2012.Despite recognizable R8 bodywork, the concept’s basic layout has stayed intact. Four electric motors – one at each corner of the car – deliver a total of 308bhp via a single-speed transmission. Acceleration from 0-60mph is claimed to be 4.7 seconds, and after one full-throttle run, we can confirms it believes even faster than that.
Key for this updated version is the fact that the four motors have been shifted inboard, instead of inside the wheels themselves. This move means that the motors are at present part of the vehicle’s sprung weight, rather than unsprung – which makes a major difference to the handling. It believes much more nimble because the steered wheels are lighter.
As in the Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell, the paddleshifters are carried over from the usual, combustion-engined version. But as an option of changing any gears – there is only the one ratio, after all – they raise or reduce the level of energy recuperation from the brakes and axles while slowing down.
Notable difference from the V8 and V10 versions of the R8 comprise a lightweight composite rear window cover, slim competition-style Recaro seats, slick instrument cluster graphics (shared with the new Q5 Hybrid) LINK, an electric green-trimmed steering wheel and the lack of any exhaust tailpipes.
The R8 e-tron is surely a quality product, and has bags of prospective. But, straight-line speed aside, the rest of the package isn’t fairly as polished as we were eager. The steering is lifeless – it brims with reaction in the petrol models – and the handling still requirements fine-tuning to deliver the razor-sharp driving experience Audi customers have come to expect.
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