An electric version of Audi's flagship R8 sportscar has set a new lap record at the Nurburgring race and test track.
The Audi e-tron with Markus Winkelhock and Audi Technology's Michael Dick Image: Audi UK |
The car, which produces 280kW of electricity - around a 380PS equivalent output from a combustion engine - blasted (albeit quietly) round the 13 mile (20km) Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in just 8:09.099 minutes.
Driven by Audi's Le Mans 24 Hour race winner, Markus Winkelhock, the car reached speeds of 155mph (250kph) after its 124mph (200kph) limiter was removed.
With a 0-62mph (100kph) time of just 4.6 seconds and developing 820Nm of torque, the car's instant acceleration allowed better drive out of the circuit's dramatic twists and turns than most standard-engined cars.
The car is identical to the standard E-tron road version which is set for launch later this year. The electronic motor is powered by a 49kW lithium-ion battery which is recharged during coasting and braking. Overall weight is kept to a minimum with mainly aluminium bodyparts and other components being used to offset the heavy battery to give a total vehicle weight of just 1,780kg.
Whilst setting a new lap record for an electrically-powered vehicle, the time is quite an achievement in itself, given that the fastest timed lap for any vehicle around the Nurburgring is less than one minute faster at 7:11.57 set by a 700PS Audi V8-powered Gumpert Apollo Sport.