The Audi R8 e-tron is yet to be launched, but in the process of testing the car at the Nurburgring, Audi has managed to set a new lap record for the fastest production electric vehicle at 08:09.099.
The previous EV lap record was held by the odd-looking Peugeot EX1 with a time of 09:1.338, but in the hands of racing driver Markus Winkelhock, the R8 e-tron went over 1 minute faster. “The record drives were a fantastic experience for me,” said Winkelhock. “Of course, the R8 e-tron is a production car, not a racing car with the assistance of aerodynamics, but with its low center of gravity and rear biased weight distribution, it brings with it a lot of sporty qualities.”
The Audi R8 e-tron is powered by four electric motors, two inside the front axle and two in the rear, which deliver an output of 230 kW and a peak torque of 820 Nm. The R8 e-tron can sprint from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 200 km/h. For the lap record run, Audi changed the speed limiter, allowing the car to reach 250 km/h.
Audi’s Board Member for Technical Development, Michael Dick, completed a lap in the e-tron himself and said, “The R8 e-tron has given a magnificent demonstration of its potential on the toughest race track in the world. The record-setting drive confirmed that we are on the right track. To us, electric mobility has never been about sacrifice, but rather is about emotion, sportiness and driving pleasure.”
The Audi R8 e-tron is expected to be launched towards the end of 2012 or in early 2013.
