It comes as no surprise that Audi is researching a completely bonkers rival to the new 400km/h Tesla Roadster and 355km/h Rimac Concept_One EV supercars.
After all, it developed and then cancelled plans to introduce an all-electric e-tron version of the previous-generation Audi R8 way back in 2015.
Although no specific details have been divulged about a new Audi e-tron supercar project, Audi’s global boss of product and technology communications, Peter Oberndorfer, confirmed to motoring.com.au that a rival to the monstrously powerful 800kW/1600Nm Rimac has been discussed.
“We consider everything at the moment but I personally believe we need a little bit more battery development [for an extreme EV supercar],” said the Audi technology executive, singling out solid-state batteries as a possible solution.
“Because if you go very fast you need a lot of battery and don’t want to spend three days going from the Nurburgring to Munich or the other way around,” he said, highlighting the fact the 550km trip would require frequent recharging with current the level of lithium-ion battery technology.
Much like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and pretty much every other mainstream car-maker, Audi is aggressively pursuing its EV agenda. Its delivery method will be via the e-tron sub-brand, which will include four EV models over the next few years, with the first e-tron SUV on the cusp of unveiling and due in Australia in July 2019.
But scintillating supercars that would ignite passion among a customer base raised on Audi RS and R8 models are also part of the e-tron program.
Audi is clearly researching a high-performance EV super-car and Oberndorfer almost spilled the beans on the car’s new name when describing how effective the EV layout can be.
“EVs have a very good balance because the battery is in between the axles, it’s very low. Maybe with a sports car it could be different. I can’t tell you about the… about more future plans,” he said.
In conversation during the Berlin round of the Formula E championship – where Audi locked out the top of the podium with a one-two finish in the new EV racing series – Oberndorfer confirmed that Audi is researching solid-state battery technology, which could revolutionise the EV car market… and usher in a new era of frighteningly fast EV supercars.
“I think lithium-ion will develop [further efficiency gains] but not very significantly.
“Our development boss Peter Mertens is speaking of solid-state batteries, which are still a few years away, but I think it would be an advantage if it will be developed, so that batteries are getting lighter and need less space.”
Solid-state batteries can operate at much higher temperatures than lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, making them less likely to combust.
They also have a higher energy density, allowing them to be much smaller – a crucial factor in developing high-performance exotic sports cars.
“There is some progress with lithium-ion but I think the real progress will come maybe with solid-state or something similar,” said Oberndorfer.
But there’s a problem – solid-state batteries are exceedingly expensive to mass-produce at present.
Nevertheless, several car-makers are sinking colossal wads of cash into the development of solid-state batteries and although Oberndorfer wouldn’t reveal if it was working with a technology partner to accelerate the development of the new battery tech, he did say: “We are looking at it very closely, let’s put it that way.”
It’s not yet clear if Audi’s next-generation supercar will replace the Audi R8, the future of which is currently in limbo, but the already confirmed e-tron GT will not be the brand’s new hero car, according to the Audi tech exec.
“We will have very sporty battery-electric cars. [Audi CEO] Mr Stadler gave a hint to the so-called e-tron GT, whether that will be the final name or not. That is a very sporty four-door car, not the successor to the R8.”
The first Audi e-tron vehicle will be revealed in coming months — an SUV that’s due in Australia mid-way through 2019. It will be followed on sale here by the Audi e-tron Sportback crossover in 2020, followed by a premium compact model.
It’s not clear if the e-tron GT is on the radar for Australia but it would seem likely, given the market’s predilection for high-performance prestige machinery.
Oberndorfer said “E-tron GT is still three years away or something like that,” meaning it’s unlikely to lob until 2021. But he added that Audi’s biggest global market, China, is helping to drive a new wave of EV investment.
It’s only a matter of time before Audi starts flexing its performance and technology muscles. The question is: will Audi’s first electric supercar wear an RS moniker or perhaps simply be called the e-tron R?
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