Audi have unveiled its PB18 e-tron an all electric concept car, intended to combine the ideas from last year's self-driving Audi Aicon concept with the company's LeMans-winning R-18 e-tron Quattro hybrid race car.
The stand out features of the car is the driver's compartment which comes complete with integrated pedals, steering wheel & controls that can be slid laterally inside the cabin to align with the drivers seat which sits upon a track so it can slide effortlessly within the cabin so when driven solo, the seat can be positioned in the center of the interior like that of an open-wheel race car.
The concept uses three powerful electric motors – one up front and two in the rear. The latter are centrally located between the steering knuckles, each directly driving one wheel via half-shafts. They deliver power output of up to 150 kW to the front axle and 350 kW to the rear – the Audi PB18 e-tron is a true quattro, of course. Maximum output is 500 kW, with boosting, the driver can temporarily mobilize up to 570 kW. The combined torque of up to 830 newton meters (612.2 lb-ft) allows acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in scarcely more than 2 seconds – a speed that differs only marginally from that of a current LMP1 prototype.
Audi says the PB18 e-tron's solid-state battery is lighter than a conventional electric-car's lithium-ion battery, which allows the PB18 to come at just over 3,400 pounds.
Unlike most modern electric-car concepts, the battery sits behind the passenger cabin, where the engine in a mid-engine sports car would go. This allows driver to sit low to emphasize the sensation of a race car's low center of gravity.
Although specific plans for a production of the car have note been announced, Audi claim it is not out of the questions... So watch this space!
