2016 Audi R8 e-tron Model Debuts, With A Whopping 280 Mile Range

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The 2016 Audi R8 e-tron has finally, after considerable delay and uncertainty, debuted — and it’s possibly been worth the wait, as it possesses a (claimed) range of 280 miles per charge. If true, then the model will be only the second production vehicle to offer more an 200 miles of range per charge.

Given the disparities in testing regimens between the US and Europe, it’s not entirely clear how that “280 mile range” compares to the Model S’s stated range of 265 miles per charge — I guess the possibility is there, though, that it remains in the vicinity.

Audi e-tron

With regard to the 2016 Audi R8 e-tron’s other specs, our sister site Gas2 provides more:

Though the new (standard) R8 design is anchored by a 5.2 liter V10 making 610 horsepower, the R8 e-tron can be special ordered with an all-electric drivetrain that’s almost as fast as the Tesla P85D.

The e-tron electric drivetrain makes just 456 horsepower in comparison, but the 679 lb-ft of torque of way more than either V10, which offer “only” 398 to 413 lb-ft of pulling power. Top speed is limited to either 130 or 155 MPH, and the R8 e-tron can zip from 0 to 62 MPH in just 3.9 seconds. That’s not quite as quick as either the Tesla P85D or the V10 powered R8, which Audi says can reach 62 MPH in just 3.2 seconds.

Audi says that it has nearly doubled the energy density of the original R8 e-tron battery pack from 84 Wh/kg to 154 Wh/kg, without increasing the size of the battery pack. (Hence the new “280 mile” range.)

Those interested should of course remember that, if you want one, you’ll have to special order it from Audi — and that’ll likely run you a lot of money. Probably considerably more than a standard Model S, or even a P85D.

Still, at least Audi is finally doing something with regard to electric vehicles.

Image Credit: Audi


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James Ayre

James Ayre's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy.

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