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While performance is a given at any level, it’s been Tesla’s highest-end, dual-motor models that really set the bar for the ultimate in electric drive thrill seekers. While Tesla has pretty much had a lock on this for some time, serious competition has been in the pipeline. Audi’s new-for-2022 e-tron GT not only considerably extends the reach of Audi’s unfolding all-electric e-tron lineup, it presents a compelling option to those who would otherwise consider a Tesla.

Sleek and sinewy, the e-tron GT is what electric performance should be about. If Audi’s 610 horsepower, V-10 powered R8 supercar screams performance, then the more luxury-oriented electric e-tron GT simply exudes it in a refined and luxurious sort of way, without making a fuss. The e-tron GT is beautifully designed with a sloping roofline, a long wheelbase, wide stance, and large 20-inch alloy wheels as standard fare, with the uplevel RS variant offering available 21-inch alloys.

And performance? As expected. Front and rear permanently excited synchronous motors in the GT – 235 horsepower at the front and 429 at the rear – offer a net combined output of 469 horsepower for exhilarating acceleration. A greater 522 horsepower with overboost and launch control is delivered for a brief 2 1/2 seconds as needed. This delivers a 3.9 second 0-60 mph sprint and a top speed of 152 mph. The RS e-tron GT uses the same front motor but integrates a more powerful 450 horsepower motor at the rear, offering 590 horsepower overall and 637 horsepower with overboost. It reaches 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, matching the breathtaking performance of Audi’s V-10 R8.

Power in both versions is delivered to the road via a two-speed transmission that accentuates quick acceleration while providing a second taller gear for extended highway driving. All-wheel steering, available in GT models and standard in the RS e-tron, provides a maximum of 2.8 degrees of opposite direction in the rear to increase low-speed agility at speeds up to 30 mph, and in the same direction at higher speeds to aid stability. Three-chamber air suspension is standard to enable tuning for comfort or performance.

Energy is delivered to the motors by a 93.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack housed within an aluminum frame. Audi estimates a 238 mile range for the GT and 232 miles for the RS GT based on its own testing approximating EPA test cycles. Both are standard and fast charge capable, with the latter bringing the e-tron’s battery from 5 to 80-percent charge is just over 22 minutes.

Arriving this year, the Audi e-tron GT quattro Premium Plus carries an MSRP of $99,900, with the GT quattro Prestige upping the ante to $107,100 and the RS e-tron GT to $139,900.

audi-laserlightIlluminating the road ahead is a crucial element in driving. It’s also one that has long benefitted from technological innovation. To this end, Audi celebrates the evolution of automotive lighting with its Sport quattro laserlight concept car. The high performance, two-door, Plasma Red coupe harkens back to the iconic 1983 Sport quattro even as it’s abundant advanced technology and design cues point to the future.

The laserlight concept is named for its future lighting technologies. Two low-profile trapezoidal elements are visible within the headlights. An outer one generates low beam light using matrix LEDs and an aperture mask, while an inner element produces laser light for the high-beam.

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Laser diodes are significantly smaller than LED diodes, only a few microns in diameter. They can illuminate the road for a distance of nearly 1,640 feet, approximately twice the lighting range with three times the luminosity of LED high beam lights. This technology is finding use in the 2014 R18 e-tron quattro for track duty.

Motivating the laserlight concept is a 4.0-liter, bi-turbo V-8 TSFI (turbo stratified fuel injection) engine and a disc-shaped electric motor located between the engine and transmission. The V-8 produces 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet torque, with the electric motor contributing an additional 148 horsepower and 295 pound-feet torque. A modified eight-speed Tiptronic transmission is mated to the quattro drivetrain with a sport differential at the rear axle.

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Electrical energy is stored in a 14.1 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, sufficient for 31 miles of all-electric driving. When the V-8 and electric motor are working together, the Audi Sport quattro laserlight concept can accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds. Top speed is 189 mph. This impressive performance comes with an equally impressive 94 US mpg fuel economy. This is achieved in part through its electric plug-in operation in addition to a cylinder on demand system that deactivates four cylinders of the V-8 under partial load. Also helping is a start-stop system and several levels of regen braking to enhance driving dynamics.

Drivers can switch between three different modes. In EV mode, just the electric motor operates with sufficient high torque power, even outside the city. The active accelerator pedal indicates the transition by a change in pedal resistance so a driver can intentionally influence the mode selection. The Hybrid mode provides optimal interplay between the V-8 and the electric motor for best fuel-savings, and additionally incorporates environmental and route data. A driver can choose the Hold and Charge modes to ensure sufficient electrical energy is available for electric-only driving at their destination. There are different levels of regenerative braking to enhance the driving experience.

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The laserlight’s multifunction sport steering wheel has buttons to control the hybrid drive, start-stop function, vehicle handling system, and the car’s virtual cockpit. Key information is shown on the large Audi TFT display in high-resolution 3D graphics. A cutting-edge Nvidia Tegra 30 processor handles the graphics.

Nearly all functions can be controlled from the further-developed MMI mounted on the center console. Its large rotary pushbutton, which also serves as a touchpad, can be pushed in four directions. It’s surrounded on three sides by four buttons that control the main menu, submenus, options, and a back function. The intuitive layout is similar to a smart phone with all frequently used functions accessed lightning fast.

Lightweight design plays a major role in the Audi laserlight concept’s dynamic performance. A combination of ultra high-strength steel sheet and structural elements of cast aluminum is used in the occupant cell. The doors and fenders are made of aluminum, with the roof, engine hood, and rear hatch and other components made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Thus, the concept weighs 4,079 pounds including the weight of the large battery pack.

 

Leave it to Audi to continue making electric drive news at the track. The automaker’s R8 e-tron – an electrified version of the way-cool R8 supercar – has set a world record for electric production vehicles at Nürburgring’s Nordschleife loop, regarded by many as one of the most demanding test tracks in the world.

Piloted by race driver Markus Winkelhock, the electric sports car powered its way around the 12.92-mile track in 8:09.099 minutes to achieve its electric drive milestone. To place this in perspective, the current record lap driven in a Gumpert Apollo Sport powered by a 700 horsepower Audi V-8 stands at 7:11.57 minutes.

The record-setting Audi R8 e-tron was powered by the same electric drivetrain that will be offered in the production R8 e-tron coming to market late this year. Specs for the production car include acceleration from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a blistering 4.6 seconds. While the track effort allowed a 155 mph top end for the run, the production variant will be limited to a ‘mere’ 124 mph.

A pair of electric motors generating 375 hp and massive torque power the R8 e-tron. It’s energized by a 9 KWh lithium-ion battery pack that allows an approximate 134 mile range, although obviously not at speed. The pack is positioned in a ‘T’ configuration along the center tunnel and behind the passenger compartment.

Light weight is typically a hallmark of a high performance electric cars and the Audi R8 is no exception. The R8’s bodyshell is largely constructed of aluminum with carbon fiber reinforced polymer components. The result is a supercar weighing in at 3,924 pounds, batteries included.

 

Audi is fielding four LMP1 cars at the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans this coming June. Importantly, two of these will feature hybrid powerplants for the first time.

The pair of Audi R18 e-tron quattros recover  kinetic energy during braking and feed this back as electricity to a flywheel accumulator, which powers an electric motor at the front wheels to aid acceleration at speeds above 75 mph. The car’s 510 hp V-6 TDI powerplant drives the rear wheels.

Audi Motorsport head Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich points out that developing its hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as its diesel racing project was in its early stages. That said, results have been very encouraging and the motorsports team is eager to see how the R18 e-tron quattro’s hybrid systems perform in concert with their ultra-lightweight technology.

Innovating its way to wins is nothing new to Audi, which achieved the first win for a TFSI (Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection) engine in 2001 and for a TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) diesel-powered car in 2006. The automaker is the most successful brand in the race’s recent history with 10 wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2000.