Audi to Unveil R8 ePerformance Electric Vehicle Concept in Frankfurt?

Audi R8

By Thami Masemola
July 30, 2009 8:01 PM
Filed Under: Audi, Concept Car, Electric Vehicle, Frankfurt Motor Show, German, Green, Rumours

For a number of years now major automakers' favourite flavour at international motor shows has been the hybrid system. Now a new dawn is upon us and it is the dawn of full electric power. Rumours that have been doing the rounds for a while are suggesting that Audi will be one of those who unveil an electric sports car concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It will take the form of an R8.

Supposedly the car will be called the R8 ePerformance. Power is to come from large powerful batteries and an electric motor to drive the wheels, so it will not be a hybrid but a complete electric-powered car.

It is thought that such a car will show some notable exterior differences from its petrol brethren since a lot of the parts are function over form. These include removing the huge air intakes which are unnecessary for an electric car. Also the side gills and rear side intakes will be modified for a different purpose. After popularising the front LED lights the R8 will show a new white version of the bulb as well.

Audi's one rival Mercedes-Benz has already confirmed its plans to produce an electric SLS AMG supercar while speculation is that BMW will go the same route in the near future.

 

Source: Automobile Magazine

Comments

M!
July 30, 2009 8:12 PM
interesting to see.

MadMaTTer
July 30, 2009 8:36 PM
Maybe the batteries can power a kickass stereo to play your choice of the V8 or V10 soundtrack. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

bILLIONAIRE
July 30, 2009 9:25 PM
THAT WOULD BE EPIC!

Shyne
July 30, 2009 10:51 PM
haha...brabus already has it for the tesla...

Lemon
July 30, 2009 9:34 PM
Its good to see manufacturers embracing eleictrics. I think that hybrids are merely a stepping stone and BEVs are where the future is. The sound will take some getting used to, but max torque at 0 rpm won't!

magnum
July 30, 2009 10:53 PM
I'm from Wolfsburg in Germany, home of Volkswagen and i not only saw a Tesla round here a few times already but also heard a Golf V in the streets sounding very awsome like an electric motor powered prototype.

Because of the e-motor the car sounded very fast and quite awsome - till then i was very sceptical about soundings of future electric vehicles, but i'm pretty surprised now:); although i must say even if it sounded nice and electrifying, it was still quite a loud noise at high revs:(.

let's e-drive!

cheers!

-

EH?
July 31, 2009 12:50 AM
people should start creating more every day electric cars than sports electric cars and its pointless you see it but you cant hear it that is the point of supercars is to hear them.

BTB505
July 31, 2009 1:47 AM
I thought the point of a 'Supercar" was to be "Super" that does not require noise! I'm with Lemon - Max torque @ ZERO RPM .... I'll forfeit noise for that kick in the arse any day!!!

RzGTmorio
July 31, 2009 2:55 AM
It's very short for my size

ExoticCarOwner
July 31, 2009 6:26 AM
What people dont understand is that these electric vehicles like cell phones put off strong electro magnetic frequencies that can be very harmful to the human body and can manifest itself into tumors and cancers. Ill take the loud exhaust and my health.

carbonsigma
July 31, 2009 8:44 AM
If that was the case millions of people around the world would have tumors as a result of having a mobile phone.

Is that happening? I don't think so. Clueless.

sub39h
July 31, 2009 10:03 AM
you are aware that burning hydrocarbons is proven to be carcinogenic, right? and that electromagnetism hasn't? in any event, cell phones don't use electromagnetism to transmit the way you're suggesting. and if you're suggesting that electromagnetism causes cancer, then you're referring to any appliance with an electric motor causing cancer. (yes, that would be combustion engined motor cars as well! they probably have tens if not hundreds of them!)

your logic is flawed. do some reading before you make sensationalist statements.

sideskraper
July 31, 2009 4:45 PM
he speaks a grain of truth. electromagnetism DOES have an effect on humans. the extent to which the effect is felt is the grey area, scientifically speaking. it is possibly carcinogenic (in terms of the research requiring far more data or much better results of the data) but unlikely.

more realistically however the amount of EM that we would receive from using electric powered vehicles is negligible relative to the amount that we are already exposed to in our daily lives. hence electric car = cancer, is a flawed argument.

Dlaor
July 31, 2009 8:22 AM
You are really stupid and ignorant.

Dlaor
July 31, 2009 8:23 AM
ExoticCarOwner

sub39h
July 31, 2009 10:05 AM
interesting idea. maybe if instead of a quattro drivetrain they put 4 small electric motors in the wheels?

sideskraper
July 31, 2009 4:46 PM
i would imagine that would be it's configuration if it made production. at this stage with no info apart from the possibility of the vehicle being presented at a show, it's impossible to say.

vilivo
July 31, 2009 2:09 PM
Looks like a R8

s3dbw
July 31, 2009 9:33 PM
And with a realistic range of probably 30-50 miles if you use the performance, totally impractical!

boogie
September 4, 2009 5:58 PM
I think that already i old news. The Tesla Roadster does 200 miles on a charge, and the Model S is said to do 350 miles on a charge. Maybe not on full torque, but it will not be limited to 50-70 miles!!! And I think Audi will most likely give it max and do the same performance or better..... Welcome to the revolution of transport!!!

HEMI426
August 11, 2009 5:29 PM
Wunder what happens if you drive an electric car in the water?

R0ADR4G3
September 4, 2009 2:02 AM
though you guys do prove good points only study will wxplain the effects of electromagnetism. though there is ways to work around it. secondly would you rather destroy our planet and not run the risk of making something with no consequences? why is everyone so pesimistic...;/

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