Audi PB18 E-Tron Concept Previews R8’s Electric Future

Following its world debut at the Monterey Car Week, the new Audi PB18 E-Tron concept traveled to Paris for its European premiere.

The battery-electric supercar study is reportedly previewing the replacement of the Audi R8, featuring three electric motors with a combined output of 671hp and 612lb-ft of torque. The front axle is powered by a single 201hp electric motor while the rear axle gets the other two, complete with 604hp.

Audi claims that the PB18 E-Tron’s electric powertrain is able to deliver peak power of 764hp for short bursts, making it capable of a 0-62mph (100km/h) in less than two seconds.

The highlight of Audi’s electric supercar concept lies in the battery pack; the German company says that the PB18 E-Tron uses an innovative and relatively light solid-state battery pack with 95kWh in capacity, contributing in a total weight of less than 1,550kg (3,417lbs).

The design is unsurprisingly rather sharp, featuring a long roof line that resembles that of a shooting brake concept, widely extended wheel arches and a pretty large interpretation of Audi’s Singleframe front grille.

The interior adopts a variable layout, meaning it can be converted from a regular two-seater to a single-seater with the driver sitting in the middle. This was made possible thanks to the adoption of fully electronic steering, throttle and braking operations. The long roof line also gives the PB18 E-Tron a rather large boot capacity, with 470 liters on offer.