Audi's First All-electric Car Will Be a Model X Fighter
Audi’s first production electric car will be a crossover to fight the Tesla Model X, the German luxury carmaker said Wednesday.
Concept drawings and initial specifications released by Audi detailed their crossover that is powered by three electric motors — borrowed from its R8 e-tron concept car — with a proposed range of over 300 miles. According to Audi, the crossover, which is called the “e-tron quattro concept,” would slot between the company’s 182.6-inch Q5 and 200.3-inch Q7. Tesla’s Model X is 197 inches long.
The crossover’s lithium-ion battery would give the car a range more than 300 miles.
The crossover will make its first appearance at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.
According to Audi, the SUV would be incredibly slippery. Its 0.25 coefficient of drag would be the same as a Toyota Prius. The car would use moveable aerodynamic elements in front, on its sides and at the rear of the car. In addition to moveable aero, the crossover will have a completely flat underside.
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The wheels aren't big enough. Don't they know that modern styling requires 48 inch wheels? You know, with those 48" wheels come the ultra super low profile tires, and since sidewall compliance is so much reduced, the latest designs substitute low carbon steel for the rubber compounds in the tires. Also, to promote a more "green" image, the wheels will no longer be made from cast aluminum or stamped steel; the latest trend in wheel design uses select hardwoods in a spoke and rim design with large open spaces between the round-section spokes for maximum brake cooling. The only problem is that for reasons I haven't quite understood yet, these wheels seem to limit engine horsepower - typically to 1 HP, but fairly often 2 HP (in Russia, often 3 HP); although for certain special applications up to 40 HP (OK, OK, 40 MP to be strictly accurate) can be made available.
That's .04 more slippery than a 5000. And with the shape as blocky and tall as it is, that's pretty impressive. 5000.