Audi e-tron Concept

The e-tron Concept is powered by four asynchronous motors – two each at the front and rear axles – that produce a total of 230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) of torque.

The two-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is limited to 200 km/h.

The water-cooled lithium-ion battery provides 42.4 kilowatt hours to enable a range of approximately 248 kilometers. It is located directly behind the passenger cabin for an optimal center of gravity and axle load distribution.

The energy storage unit is charged with household current (230 volts, 16 amperes) via a cable and a plug.

The full-charging time is between 6 and 8 hours. A high voltage (400 volts, 63 amperes) reduces this to just around 2.5 hours.

The e-tron is able to freely distribute the torque of its four electric motors to the wheels as required. This so-called torque vectoring allows for excellent dynamics and a high level of agility and precision when cornering.

A heat pump is used to efficiently warm up and heat the interior.

The drive system, the power electronics and the battery are controlled by a thermal management system that contributes to the car’s range without compromising the level of interior comfort.

The electronic brake system features lightweight ceramic brake discs and brake energy recovery.

Similarly to a mid-engined sports car, about 70 percent of the power goes the rear and 30 percent to the front.

If an axle slips, this balance can be varied by means of the four centrally controlled electric motors.

The chassis has motorsports-derived triangular double wishbones at the front axle and trapezoidal wishbones made of forged aluminum components at the rear axle.

The Audi e-tron rolls on 19-inch tires with a new blade design. 235/35 tires up front and 295/30 tires in the rear provide the necessary grip.

Audi e-performance project

Audi has established a project house dedicated to electric driving; it will shortly begin work on a project sponsored by the German federal government. The working group and the project bear the same name: e-performance.

The car battery is the focal point of the studies, which cover such topics as thermal management, capacity, package, weight, safety, service life and integration into the vehicle’s heat and energy flows.

“We are not working on cell chemistry – we are relying on our strategic partners for that,” says Dr. Korte, “but the battery management software will be our know-how.”

In an electric car, the entire on-board electrical system needs to be completely restructured.

Many components that today use the energy and waste heat of the combustion engine — from the power steering to the heater — need a new source of power.

The electric motor, the power electronics with their high-voltage components, inverters and transformers as well as the durability of the chips under the demanding conditions in the car are other important fields of work.

Audi is also studying all other areas of the vehicle. Topics include the flow of forces in the drivetrain, the climate control system, the controls and displays in the cockpit, the vehicle acoustics and the chassis. In this last field, electrically actuated brakes and suspension struts offer great potential.