If you thought electric cars couldn't deliver excellent performance, here's an example of one that does.
Racing driver Markus Winkelhock recently piloted Audi's high-performance, all-electric-drive R8 e-tron sports car around the demanding 12.92-mile Nurburgring Nordschleife track in 8:09.099 minutes, setting the record for the fastest lap with a series production electric car.
A comparison against the current record lap driven by a gasoline-combustion-engine production car shows just how impressive the 8:09.099-minute time really is: the electric e-tron is barely a minute slower than the record time of 7:11.57 minutes achieved in a Gumpert Apollo Sport, powered by a 700-horsepower Audi V-8 gasoline engine.
Audi says the drive system of the record-setting Audi R8 e-tron corresponds in every detail with that of the production model that is expected to arrive on the market at the end of the year. Both of the car’s electric motors generate an output of 280 kW and more than 600 lb-ft of torque; Audi says more than 4,900 Nm (3,614.05 lb-ft) are distributed to the rear wheels nearly from a standing start.
It is powered solely by its electric motors and a large lithium-ion battery Audi says can store 49 KWh of energy – enough to travel about 133 miles. Its “T” shape allows it to be installed in the center tunnel and in the area between the passenger compartment and the rear axle. It can also be charged by energy recovery during coasting and braking. The ultralight car body of the Audi R8 e-tron is made primarily of aluminum, keeping the high-performance sports car down to just 3,924 pounds, even with the large battery.
The Audi R8 e-tron accelerates from zero to 62.14 mph in just 4.6 seconds. Its top speed is normally limited to 124.27 mph, though 155.34 mph was approved for the record-setting lap. After setting the record, Winkelhock took additional laps in a second R8 e-tron limited to 124.27 mph, achieving times of 8:30.873 and 8:26.096 minutes, to keep both laps under the nine-minute threshold.
Want to Buy the New R8 e-tron?
Audi says to expect the R8 to be available for purchase in late 2012 at a price point hinted to be around a hefty $250,000. By 2020, Audi promises an e-tron model in every vehicle class. Don't want to spend that much or wait that long? Then shop for other Audi vehicles or a gasoline-engined R8 here at TrueCar.com where you can also connect with a TrueCar Certified Dealer in your area that offers a fast and hassle-free car buying experience.
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