Audi to unveil all-electric R8 supercar in Frankfurt?
Audi R8 V12 TDI concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery
According to dueling reports on Auto Motor und Sport in Germany and L'Automobile in France, Audi may be set to release an all-electric version of its awesome R8 supercar at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. At this point, we have no other details as to what may be powering the electric R8, but there's a possibility that it may also sport a diesel engine acting as a range extender.
It's also unclear whether Audi has any intentions of putting this Tesla-fighter into small-scale series production, though we won't be holding our breath. Our best guess would be that the German automaker would only build an electric supercar to prove that it can. If that sounds far-fetched, perhaps we should direct your attention to Audi's last R8 concept vehicle...
If there's any truth to these rumors, the zero-emission supercar will join a droptop version of the R8 on stage in Frankfurt, and as you would expect, we'll be there with digital SLRs in hand. Stay tuned.
Gallery: Detroit 2008: Audi R8 V12 TDI
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport, L'Automobile]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3PeaceSweet 8:33AM (5/28/2009)
Put the 3 cylinder 1.2 Litre TDI from the old A2 in as a range extender.
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gorr 9:20AM (5/28/2009)
They should try too the concept of valentin technology. A small diesel one cylinder engine charging a hydraulic fluid tank and the 4 wheels are powered and breaked by hydraulic motors. This give a lot of power and breaking with 130 mpg. The others compagnies should try this too, way better then batteries.
http://www.valentintechnologies.com/default.asp
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Matt 9:29AM (5/28/2009)
130 mpg is great, but an R8 needs to be fast, really fast.
What I think they should do is drop a diesel race engine from the Le Mans R10 into a production car and see who has the testicular fortitude to drive one. Make a real supercar out of it.
Jeff 10:08AM (5/28/2009)
So, do you think it will keep the air intakes??
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Phil L. 11:08AM (5/28/2009)
Yes. It's their design statement, and has little to do with functionality.
Jeff 12:57PM (5/28/2009)
that was actually a reference to the discussion about this post:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/05/21/ask-autobloggreen-do-electric-vehicles-need-front-air-intakes/
The main things that need cooling in an EV are the motor and motor controller (batteries not nearly as much). They don't put out nearly as much heat as an engine, but it's still considerable, and the more cooling you give them, the more current you can push through them. All that said, yes most grills are largely blocked off anyways for aerodynamics purposes.
Phil L. 8:26AM (5/29/2009)
Jeff -
Thanks for the link. I knew that discussion was somewhere, but didn't bother looking it up...
Chris 11:48AM (5/28/2009)
The batteries still need cooling even though not that much.
Everytime I walk by our local Audi-Dealership (it's really close to my house) I look at the R8 and think what a beautiful car, if they only had it electric. I would love to see that realized. Too bad I won't have the spare money to buy one in the next couple of years.
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