Audi has revealed a new all-electric concept that displays a radical vision for the high-performance sports car of tomorrow’.
Called the PB18 e-tron, Audi said that the project was inspired by the Le Mans-winning race cars from the past.
The name incorporates where it was unveiled – ‘PB’ for Pebble Beach – and ‘18 e-tron’ from the R18 e-tron that won the Le Mans 24-hour race in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The PB18 also shares design elements from the fully-autonomous Aicon concept from 2017 and incorporates a single-seat cockpit layout underneath a wide windscreen and tapered side windows.
At the back, it has the look of a shooting brake with the roofline incorporating a large, extending rear wing and the single rear brake light stretching across the underside of the rear window.
To make the driver feel as much like a professional racer as possible, the steering wheel and peddle box can be moved from side to side as the systems are drive-by-wire – meaning all the inputs on the controls are sent electronically to the steering, brakes and engine, making the car more adaptable for the driver.
The car has three electric motors – one on the front axle and two on the rear driving one wheel each – and is powered by the latest solid-state batteries that are mounted into the chassis, making an output of 671bhp. With overboost, the car has 764bhp to work with.
Alongside the 830Nm of torque, the PB18 can sprint from 0-60mph in about two seconds.
See Available Audi DealsBut this car remains practical, with a range of 310 miles and fast-charge capabilities that allow it to be charged in 15 minutes. Audi also offers the car with inductive charging with a wireless charging pad.
Although the PB18 is unlikely to go on sale, this could be the format for future Audi sports car and could potentially be the precursor for an R8 replacement in the next few years.