'The electric car is the fuddy-duddy of the automotive world' '... consider me a convert. This is a supercar with such a visceral driving experience ...'
http://life.nationalpost.com/2013/06/05/audi-r8-e-tron/ [images] Audi R8 e-tron converts gear heads into green-minded speed demons by Graeme Fletcher [2013/06/05] [images http://nationalpostlife.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/r8.jpg The Audi R8 e-tron is a triumph in engineering http://nationalpostlife.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/r8-charger.jpg http://nationalpostlife.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/side-r8.jpg http://nationalpostlife.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/etron.jpg http://nationalpostlife.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/bigetron.jpg ] Preview: Audi R8 e-tron BERLIN — If the future of the electric vehicle is defined by the Audi R8 e-tron, consider me a convert. This is a supercar with such a visceral driving experience it gives new meaning to electrifying — range anxiety fades as quickly as the speedometer rises. The speed of the R8 e-tron is simply stunning — it whirs its way to 100 kilometres an hour in 4.2 seconds. It was such the little hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention. Hey, any conveyance with 3,629 pound-feet of torque on tap the instant the wheels begin to turn is enough to give anyone saucer-sized eyes. While the R8 e-tron does resemble its mortal gas-powered sibling, the look is where any and all similarities stop — they share only nine common parts. For example, the body is a blend of exotic materials. The chassis is aluminum while the body panels are made from carbon-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The e-tron also has two external speakers. They broadcast a sound that resembles that of the regular R8 under hard acceleration. This not only warns pedestrians of the R8 e-tron’s presence, it adds flavour from the driver’s perspective. The mode of propulsion is as radically different. Gone is the gasoline-powered engine in favour of two substantial electric motors. These monsters combine to twist out 380 horsepower and 604.8 lb-ft of torque — the latter, when run through the 6:1 gear ratio equates to the aforementioned 3,629 lb-ft. Left ungoverned, the electric motors would give the R8 e-tron a top speed of 250 km/h. In this instant, they have been governed to cap the top speed to 200 km/h, but who really cares? The electric motor is set up so it allows for torque vectoring. In a corner, the outer electric motor delivers more driving force than the inner one, which does two wonderful things for the handling. First, as this action turns the car into the corner, it reduces understeer to the point where it is more or less non-existent. Second, the electric motor’s turn-in action reduces the amount of steering input required from the driver. In an interesting twist, the electric motors also provide stability under hard acceleration and braking by modulating the electric motors in much the same way traction control modulates the brakes and controls engine output to maintain stability. The supply of electricity comes from a massive multi-layer T-shaped battery that consumes the central tunnel and a chunk of the rear compartment that once housed the engine. With a rating of 48.7-kilowatt/hours, it delivers a driving range of 215-kilometres. Using a 220-volt outlet, it takes 12-14 hours to replenish the electrons. When it drops to a 15% state of charge, the on-board electronics begin to limit the battery’s output to extend the remaining range — think of it as a limp-home mode after having had some serious fun. The battery is also recharged through regenerative braking. In this case, the driver can pick four levels of regenerative braking through steering wheel-mounted paddles. The first is the coast mode — no regenerative braking. The next three steps ramp up the regeneration in stages whenever the driver lifts off the accelerator. The system can generate a maximum 0.45g when the most aggressive mode is selected. As for the brakes themselves, well, they, too, are different. The front brakes feature carbon-fibre ceramic rotors and six-piston hydraulic calipers. The rear brakes, however, are purely electric (brake-by-wire). An electric motor applies the brakes according to the amount of braking required — it is governed by the amount of regenerative braking and brake pedal pressure. The suspension is as exotic as the body. The glass fibre-reinforced polymer front and rear coil springs are 40% lighter than steel springs. Likewise, the front anti-roll bar is made of layers of CFRP and is supported by aluminum links — this shaves a further 35% off the mass of the suspension when compared to the regular R8. Factor in the P225/35R19 front and P275/35R19 tires, a perfect 48%/52% weight distribution, and you have the foundation for flawless handling. Flogging through the turns on the rally cross-style circuit proved the R8 e-tron is so fast to react to input it wowed this driver like no other car before it. Of course, roaring around the taxiways of the now defunct, but historically significant, Tempelhof airport, in Berlin, was as much fun as driving the car itself — well, nearly. There are three driving modes — Efficiency, Auto and Dynamic. Auto introduces the torque vectoring and with the stability control (ESP) in Dynamic mode, the back end drifted out gracefully with a full dose of electrons flooding the motors. Dynamic allows yet more back-end walkabout and firms the steering. It proved to be the most smile-inducing setting, as the car was wayward without becoming a handful. I did try one lap with the ESP off — it was simply glorious, but attention grabbing to say the least. My right boot became the ESP system. If you doubt the veracity of the R8 e-tron, consider the following: With racing driver Markus Winkelhock at the wheel, this electric supercar established a new record for electric-drive production vehicles on the Nürburgring North Loop. He clocked 8:09.099 minutes, which is just five seconds behind than the regular R8 V8. With precious few exceptions, the electric car is the fuddy-duddy of the automotive world. You know the ones — an organic shape and precious little that remotely resembles a wow factor. The R8 e-tron, were it to go into limited production (sadly, Audi announced it will not during the day’s keynote speech), would give the breed the halo car it so desperately needs. Doing one’s bit for the planet and future generations is a cause that is so very important, but at this juncture it is just so cloying and devoid of fun. The R8 e-tron would do its bit for the environment, while adding enormous dollops of fun — enough to transform me from Gear Head to Electron Head! 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