Audi PB18 e-tron: 775 CV for the electric supercar from Audi

With three electric motors and a maximum output of up to 775 CV, the Audi PB18 e-tron is a revolutionary supercar full of surprises. For now, it is presented as a concept car.

The teaser of the Audi PB18 e-tron that Audi unveiled ahead of the Pebble Beach event made this supercar one of the most anticipated cars at the gathering held in Monterey, California. And now that we know all its details, we can confidently say that Audi has not disappointed in the least.

It could seem like something out of a science fiction film, or a video game. But no, the Audi PB18 e-tron is a functional prototype from Audi’s design studio in Malibu, with which the four-ring brand wants to give us a preview of a future, that of the supercars of tomorrow, which is much closer than it seems.

A look inside the Audi PB18 e-tron

Although one of its most outstanding innovations lies on the inside, the first thing is to review the exterior design of the Audi PB18 e-tron. Because it may remain merely an exercise in style. But many of its features could carry over into the future Audi R8. Above all the front end, dominated by the huge Singleframe grille, with large air intakes on each side to ensure cooling.

It would be harder to see the future Audi R8 adopt the body configuration of the PB18 e-tron, with a rear end reminiscent of a shooting brake, the name given to cars that aim to blend an estate car and a coupé. Another matter is whether Audi might decide in the future to launch a production car with a body of this type, seeking the advantages it offers in terms of cargo space, which is not possible in a conventional supercar. And indeed the Audi PB18 e-tron promises a boot capacity of 470 litres. Its exterior dimensions are as follows: 4.53 metres in length, 2 metres in width and 1.15 metres in height.

But without doubt, one of the most innovative and eye-catching solutions of the Audi PB18 e-tron is what the brand calls the monoposto concept for the cabin. Here, the module that serves as the actual cockpit can move to a central position, for example for driving on a circuit. But it can also move toward the door threshold to make entry easier. In its position for road driving, there is free space to the right to deploy a seat hidden beneath the floor, which allows a passenger to be carried.

The mini cameras mounted on the roof that act as virtual rear-view mirrors, the 22-inch wheels with a turbine-style design, the long-range laser headlights, or the rear wing integrated into the bodywork, which extends to increase downforce at high speed, are other characteristic features of the PB18 e-tron.

Three electric motors, four-wheel drive

In terms of technical and dynamic aspects, the Audi PB18 e-tron lives up to its spectacular exterior and interior design. It takes its inspiration from the Audi R18 with which the brand dominated at Le Mans, although here we are not dealing with a hybrid prototype, but with a one hundred percent electric car.

With a 204 CV motor on the front axle and two on the rear (one per wheel) totalling 450 CV, the total output is 680 CV, and peak torque reaches 830 Nm. In specific moments of maximum acceleration, and only temporarily, the maximum output reaches 775 CV in the so-called boost mode. With a final weight of around 1,550 kg thanks to its lightweight multi-material construction, this allows the PB18 e-tron to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 2 seconds.

The solid-state battery is liquid-cooled and, with a capacity of 95 kWh, provides a range of over 500 km. This is something we are already getting used to every time a new electric car hits the market. But the most relevant point is that, with an 800-volt charging system, Audi claims it can be fully recharged in just 15 minutes. Charging would be somewhat slower, but much more convenient, using the Audi Wireless Charging inductive charging system, which requires no cables.

The suspension follows a layout used in racing cars: push-rod at the front and pull-rod at the rear axle, and electronically controlled variable damping is employed. Maximum braking power is ensured by carbon discs no less than 483 centimetres in diameter.

Audi PB18 e-tron image gallery