World Premiere for the Audi PB18 e-tron concept car

Audi was presenting a design and technical concept car at Pebble Beach Automotive Week in Monterey, California - the PB18 e-tron. The all-electric vehicle presents a radical vision for the high-performance sports car of tomorrow.

The abbreviated name PB18 e-tron refers both to the Pebble Beach venue for the premiere and to the technological DNA the new concept car shares with the LMP1 racing car Audi R18 e-tron. Further more, it shows its kinship with another concept car from the brand – the Aicon from 2017. So, both concept cars have a electric drive with solid-state battery as energy storage.

The concept uses three powerful electric motors – one up front and two in the rear. The latter are centrally located between the steering knuckles, each directly driving one wheel via half-shafts. They deliver power output of up to 150 kW to the front axle and 350 kW to the rear. Maximum output is 500 kW, with boosting, the driver can temporarily mobilize up to 570 kW. The combined torque of up to 830 newton meters allows acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in scarcely more than 2 seconds.

In normal road traffic, the driver can limit the maximum speed in favor of range. This limitation is easy to deactivate on the racetrack and can be adapted to local conditions.

Ready for 800 V

The focus is on not just powerful performance but also maximum efficiency. While being driven, the Audi PB18 e-tron recovers large amounts of energy: up to moderate braking, the electric motors are solely responsible for decelerating the vehicle. The hydraulic brakes only come into play for heavy braking.

The concept of separate electric motors on the rear axle offers major advantages when it comes to sporty handling. The Torque Control Manager, which works together with the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), actively distributes the power to the wheels of the front and rear axles as needed. This torque control provides for maximum dynamics and stability. Thanks to the virtually instantaneous response of the electric motors, the control actions are lightning-quick. The drive concept of the Audi PB18 e-tron adapts perfectly to every situation, whether involving transverse or longitudinal dynamics.

The liquid-cooled solid-state battery has an energy capacity of 95 kWh. A full charge provides for a range of over 500 km (310.7 m) in the WLTP cycle. The Audi PB18 e-tron is already designed for charging with a voltage of 800 V. This means the battery can be fully recharged in about 15 minutes.

The vehicle can also be charged cordlessly via induction with Audi Wireless Charging (AWC). This is done by placing a charging pad with integral coil on the floor where the car is to be parked, and connecting it to the power supply.