A prototype for the recently unveiled 2016 Audi R8 e-tron has been spied testing at the Nurburgring. Interestingly, this particular prototype is wearing the body of the outgoing generation of R8 rather than the new car unveiled in late February. Nevertheless, it is identical beneath the skin.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpoLv3phjSk[/youtube]
Underpinning the Audi R8 e-tron are two electric motors resulting in a combined 462 hp and 679 lb-ft of torque. As a result of that power and instant torque, the R8 e-tron will accelerate to 100 km/h in a brisk 3.9 seconds, just a few tenths off the R8 V10 and V10 Plus variants. Alongside the impressive acceleration, the Audi R8 e-tron features a range of 450 km which is over double what original R8 e-tron prototypes had.
That extra range has been achieved through the installation of a larger battery pack now with a capacity of 92 kWh compared to 49 kWh. The battery is found within the centre tunnel of the electric sports car as well as behind the passenger cell. The aerodynamics of the R8 e-tron also play a key role in its range with it more efficient through the air than the traditional R8. As a matter of fact, its drag coefficient sits at just 0.28.
