Audi Creates One-Off Electric Supercar For Will Smith

Could Audi’s new animated sports car preview the next real-world R8?

Gearheads will remember the 2004 science fiction flick I, Robot for the futuristic Audi RSQ concept created specifically for the film driven by Will Smith. It was a memorable piece of automotive product placement that previewed the original Audi R8 years before it went on sale.

Now, history could about to repeat itself because a unique Audi concept car will be driven by Will Smith’s character Lance Sterling in the upcoming animated film Spies in Disguise.

Dubbed the RSQ E-Tron, the supercar concept is presumably an evolution of the RSQ from I, Robot, but it could preview the real-world next-generation Audi R8. The design appears to be heavily inspired by the driver-focused Audi PB18 e-tron concept mixed with cues from the current R8. At any rate, the aggressive design looks far more appealing than the last RSQ, which featured spheres instead of conventional wheels in I, Robot. We wouldn’t complain if the next Audi R8 looks as good as this.

Naturally, the RSQ E-Tron is fully electric and has autonomous driving capabilities that will eventually be offered in future Audi e-tron cars. Since the concept car isn’t real, Audi has equipped the RSQ E-Tron with a plethora of crazy gadgets including cameras replacing traditional rearview mirrors, a holographic speedometer, and several dashboard-mounted displays.

While the RSQ E-Tron has self-driving technology, the driver can still regain control since the sports car includes a gearshift lever and steering wheel. The steering wheel folds away when the car is in autonomous mode.

You’ll have to wait until next September to see the Audi RSQ E-Tron on the big screen when Spies in Disguise releases in cinemas, but you can see the car in action right now in the embedded trailer below.

Will Audi's 760-HP Electric Supercar Enter Production?

Audi designers are working hard to make it happen – but putting the concept into production presents several challenges.

Audi’s much-anticipated e-tron GT concept finally made its debut at the 2018 LA Auto Show last week with the Tesla Model S firmly in its sights. But it wasn’t the only electric Audi E-Tron concept revealed this year. Back in the summer at Pebble Beach, Audi revealed the PB18 E-Tron, a driver-focused electric supercar concept that could preview the Audi R8’s future replacement. Audi hasn’t confirmed plans to put it into production, but designers are working hard to make it happen according to Autocar.

Speaking at the LA Auto Show, Audi exterior design chief Andreas Mindt told the publication the design team are “absolutely pushing” the car for production and were the “engine” in the company driving for it to be built. However, giving it the green light won’t be an easy decision for Audi as it would need to overcome several challenges to put the electric supercar concept into production.

The car’s central driving position, for example, would require Audi to develop a new drive-by-wire steering system. This would be very expensive and difficult to justify for a low-volume car. The cockpit’s unconventional design would also be difficult to implement in the production model. In the concept, the driver’s seat and dashboard can also be positioned in two ways: either to the left of the interior like a typical road car, or in the center, as in a traditional race car.

Mindt also said engineers would need to develop adequate cooling systems for the powerful all-electric powertrain. The concept was powered by three electric motors, with one mounted within the front axle delivering 201 hp and another two positioned on either side of the rear axle producing 234 hp each. This results in a combined output of 671 hp, but a boost function increases this to 764 hp for short bursts of acceleration.

With this setup, Audi claimed the PB18 E-Tron concept could sprint from 0-62 mph in two seconds and hit a top speed of over 186 mph. The PB18 E-Tron concept also uses solid-state batteries with a capacity of 95 kWh, but the technology is not yet ready for production.

764-HP Audi PB18 e-tron Concept Is The Driver-Focused Electric Supercar Of Our Dreams

The cockpit can be switched from a two-person layout to a single-seater for track driving.

We’re so used to seeing futuristic-looking concept cars designed to showcase advanced autonomous driving technology that Audi’s latest concept car is wholly refreshing. Presented at Pebble Beach, the Audi PB18 e-tron Concept is devoid of self-driving technologies. Instead, Audi has focused on the driving experience to show what the driver-focused electric supercar of our dreams could look like in the future.

Three electric motors power the car, with a 201-hp unit at the front and two other motors powering the rear wheels providing an additional 604 hp. Drive it conservatively, and the concept delivers a combined power output of 671 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque, but peak power of 764 hp is possible in short bursts, allowing the concept to hit 0-62 mph in a little over two seconds.

As well as being powerful, the concept has also been designed to be extremely efficient. While being driven, the Audi PB18 e-tron recovers large amounts of energy as the electric motors are solely responsible for slowing the car down during moderate braking, with the hydraulic brakes taking over for heavy braking. Having separate electric motors on the rear axles has also allowed Audi to implement a Torque Control Manager to enhance the car’s sporty handling. Working with the Electronic Stabilization Control, this system actively distributes the power to the wheels of the front and rear axles when needed for maximum stability and driving pleasure.

In terms of design, the PB18 e-tron's striking shape is inspired by Audi’s successful R18 e-tron quattro Le Mans race car and features a similar suspension setup combining push-rods on the front axle with pull-rods at the rear with magnetic ride shock absorbers. The wheels measure 22 inches in diameter and are fitted with 275/35 tires in the front and 315/30 in the back. Large carbon brake discs with a 19-inch diameter provide significant stopping power in conjunction with the electric brake.

The interior is also very futuristic as the cockpit can be switched from a two-person layout to a single-seater configuration for track driving. With the latter setup, the driver is cocooned in the center of the cockpit. The windshield also incorporates an augmented reality system that displays information such as the ideal racing line. Sadly, Audi isn’t planning to put the PB18 e-tron into production, but we’re hoping it will one day inspire a future halo car to showcase the technology of Audi's electric e-tron range.

The Electric Audi e-tron Will Seamlessly Connect To Your House

You’ll be able to charge the Audi E-Tron using your home’s electric infrastructure.

In just a couple of months Audi will unveil the e-tron, the German automaker’s first foray into the electric SUV segment. As its debut draws closer, Audi has revealed how the technically-advanced SUV will be able to seamlessly connect to your house thanks to a partnership with SMA Solar Technology and the Hager Group that will enable “intelligent interaction with home energy management systems” and “cost-optimized charging” to combat the lack of proper charging networks.

The standard compact charging system will feature charging with an output of up to 11kW. An optional connect charging system will double that output to 22kW, for which the e-tron will be equipped with a second, optional charger. The connect charging system will be able to connect to the infrastructure via the home’s WiFi and offer “intelligent charging functions” in conjunction with a home energy management system. “In keeping with our premium quality standards, we want an electric car that fits seamlessly into the intelligently connected home, to provide genuine added value for the customer," said Fermin Soneira, Head of Product Marketing at Audi.

"That is why we have teamed up with the two leading suppliers of home energy management systems, the Hager Group and SMA Solar Technology. That brings maximum charging convenience.” With the connect charging system and a suitably equipped home energy management system, owners will be able to use variable electricity tariffs to charge the Audi e-tron. If the home is fitted with a photo-voltaic system, the charging process can be optimized to prefer the electricity generated by the system for charging their vehicle. The final production version of the Audi e-tron will be unveiled in Brussels on August 30.

Audi is touting a range of 249 miles and the SUV is expected to be powered by a pair of electric motors and a 95kWh battery generating around 400 hp.

Will Audi's 760-HP Electric Supercar Enter Production?

Audi designers are working hard to make it happen – but putting the concept into production presents several challenges.

Audi’s much-anticipated e-tron GT concept finally made its debut at the 2018 LA Auto Show last week with the Tesla Model S firmly in its sights. But it wasn’t the only electric Audi E-Tron concept revealed this year. Back in the summer at Pebble Beach, Audi revealed the PB18 E-Tron, a driver-focused electric supercar concept that could preview the Audi R8’s future replacement. Audi hasn’t confirmed plans to put it into production, but designers are working hard to make it happen according to Autocar.

Speaking at the LA Auto Show, Audi exterior design chief Andreas Mindt told the publication the design team are “absolutely pushing” the car for production and were the “engine” in the company driving for it to be built. However, giving it the green light won’t be an easy decision for Audi as it would need to overcome several challenges to put the electric supercar concept into production.

The car’s central driving position, for example, would require Audi to develop a new drive-by-wire steering system. This would be very expensive and difficult to justify for a low-volume car. The cockpit’s unconventional design would also be difficult to implement in the production model. In the concept, the driver’s seat and dashboard can also be positioned in two ways: either to the left of the interior like a typical road car, or in the center, as in a traditional race car.

Mindt also said engineers would need to develop adequate cooling systems for the powerful all-electric powertrain. The concept was powered by three electric motors, with one mounted within the front axle delivering 201 hp and another two positioned on either side of the rear axle producing 234 hp each. This results in a combined output of 671 hp, but a boost function increases this to 764 hp for short bursts of acceleration.

With this setup, Audi claimed the PB18 E-Tron concept could sprint from 0-62 mph in two seconds and hit a top speed of over 186 mph. The PB18 E-Tron concept also uses solid-state batteries with a capacity of 95 kWh, but the technology is not yet ready for production.

Audi Is Working On Plug-In Hybrid Q5 With Excellent Electric Range

This may be the new Q5 to have.

Audi has generated a lot of buzz with its new e-tron electric SUV, which is set to rival the Mercedes EQC and upcoming BMW iX3. Though the e-Tron has already been revealed, it will likely be a significant wait before the car actually arrives in U.S. dealerships. Even when it does arrive, the e-tron won't exactly be cheap with a starting price of almost $75,000.

If the e-tron does take a while to go on sale or it's just too expensive, you may want to wait for the rumored Audi Q5 e-tron. According to Autocar, Audi will reveal a new plug-in hybrid version of the Q5 sometime next year and the specs already sound impressive on paper.

Audi's only plug-in hybrid model in the U.S. is the A3 e-tron, which only achieves an all-electric range of 16 miles. The company's next-generation plug-in hybrid technology is expected to provide a greater zero-emission range of around 42 miles. The Q5 e-tron is expected to arrive first with an A6 e-tron and Q3 e-tron to follow. Of course, we don't know how many of these plug-in hybrids will be brought to the US market. With diesel likely being a thing of the past, we wouldn't surprised if Audi starts selling more PHEVs and EVs in their place.

The Q5 e-tron has already been spotted undergoing testing in the US and is expected to be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 188 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque mated to an electric motor adding in 108 hp and 221 lb-ft. The gas engine will drive the front wheels, while the electric motor will send power to the rear, earning the Q5 e-tron its Quattro all-wheel-drive badge. No major changes to the exterior or interior are expected, so the big changes will be under the skin. Audi hasn't announced a reveal date, but expect the Q5 e-tron to debut late in 2018 with an arrival in 2019.

Aston Martin CEO Gives Us First Look At Electric Rapide

Well, its batteries anyway.

As much as we love the Aston Martin Rapide, we have to admit it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Aston recently revealed the Rapide AMR, which ups the V12 engine's output to 580 horsepower, but is still lagging behind far cheaper sedans from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. We've known for quite a while that the V12-engined Rapide is a bit of a lame duck model for Aston, that will continue until it is replaced by an all-electric model. So far, we haven't heard much about Aston's upcoming EV - rumored to be called the RapidE - but company CEO Andy Palmer Tweeted a photo that gives us our first look at the EV sedan.

Unfortunately, the photo only shows the car's battery drivetrain, so we have no way of knowing if this new car will keep the styling of the old Rapide, or adopt the new looks of the DB11 or Vantage. Palmer also gave an explanation of the electric drivetrain, saying it will use "800v battery technology when launched end 2019. The higher voltage facilitates fast charging times as energy E=VxIxt (V is voltage, I is Current & t is time). Faster charge time t=E/(VxI) achieved by increasing Voltage. Nerdy but bloody good!" We'll put Palmer's words into simple English - the RapidE will charge faster than other EVs.

Palmer went on to say that Aston Martin will sell just 155 units of the car at the end of 2019, so we still have well over a year before the car actually arrives. He also added that more information is still to come, but the purpose of the car is to “have the ability to a have usable performance for laps of Nurburgring and a top speed of 155 mph.” Track range has been the Achilles heel of many EVs, but the RapidE will use kinetic energy and regenerative braking technology to help it lap a racetrack without running out of juice. Output figures haven't been announced, but rumors point to around 800 hp with a 200-mile range.

Aston Martin CEO Concerned Electric Pods Will Replace Cars

Should we all be worried, or is there a plan to fight back?

This is not the first time an automotive executive has voiced this, and it certainly won’t be the last. Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer, speaking at the recent Automotive News Europe Congress, had words regarding the future of the industry and car enthusiasts should take note. Palmer, who has been in the business for four decades, is clearly in a position to see things how they are, and what might happen. “For a long time, the business model has been stack 'em high and sell 'em cheap,” he said.

“But profitless volume is no way to build a sustainable company. It makes no sense to spend 1 billion (euros) on a new car and discount it almost at launch.” Along with current Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne, Palmer believes automakers need to not only stop spending billions on making almost identical products, but to consolidate to help save money. “In our industry there are too many capital junkies spending billions and getting too little return for it,” Palmer said. Perhaps even more concerning is Palmer’s outlook on how autonomous and electric vehicle technologies will affect the industry as a whole, specifically as they combine to further encourage ride-sharing.

“We risk moving toward commoditization of a pod,” he said. “The world does not need dozens of nameplates making the same objects. There are more than 75 automotive nameplates in Europe, but just four plane makers.” On a brighter note, Palmer firmly believes “a different business model” is desperately needed that can capitalize on certain customers’ demands to own exotic and emotional cars built by a company with a strong brand. “People are still looking for emotion in their motion and that's where the luxury manufacturers sit, and where Aston Martin is flourishing,” he said.

Given his comments, let’s hope the future of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, and all other exotic brands, figures out that new business model. We know no one here wants to live in an self-driving, EV pod hailing world.

China Poised To Beat Europe In Electric Car Race

Europe may as well go where the customers are.

It seems like every time an auto show rolls around, we hear about the latest Chinese automaker that is ready to conquer Tesla and eventually sell electric vehicles in the United States. While some are vaporware, it's hard to ignore how big of a role China will play in the coming years as EVs become more popular. While only 1% will actually succeed, there are so many startups in the EV sector that actually equates to a substantial number.

European automakers like BMW have also enlisted the help of Chinese partners for EV production. Some reports, including a recent one from CNN, say that Europe may simply need to give up in the race towards EVs and focus on building cars in China.

When speaking about EV production, Simone Tagliapietra, an energy analyst at a Milan-based think tank said, "Europe might well see its carmakers massively moving production to China in the future." Building electric cars in China would place European automakers closer to their potential customers and avoid any tariffs.

China is also where most of the batteries for EVs are produced, so "it just makes sense to produce electric vehicles where batteries are also produced," Tagliapietra said. Currently, two-thirds of lithium-ion batteries are produced in China. Only around 1% of these batteries are produced in Europe and it would take a huge investment in order to catch up.

China also holds the advantage as the world's largest market for electric cars. With the massive pollution issues in China, EVs will soon become more of a necessity than a luxury. Even Volkswagen and Tesla have announced plans to build factories in China, showing how viable the country is for EV production.

Europe is trying to become more friendly towards EV production but it simply cannot match China. "In Europe, there's a lot of hassle and a lot of procedures to follow. It takes a long time," said Kee Koolen, chairman of Lithium Werks, adding that China has a "long-term vision" for EV production, while Europe does not.

Automakers in Europe didn't take EVs seriously initially and will now have to play catch up with China. European automakers are finally launching new EV models including the Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes EQC, and Audi e-Tron but it may already be too late to catch up with China.

Aston Martin CEO Concerned Electric Pods Will Replace Cars

Should we all be worried, or is there a plan to fight back?

This is not the first time an automotive executive has voiced this, and it certainly won’t be the last. Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer, speaking at the recent Automotive News Europe Congress, had words regarding the future of the industry and car enthusiasts should take note. Palmer, who has been in the business for four decades, is clearly in a position to see things how they are, and what might happen. “For a long time, the business model has been stack 'em high and sell 'em cheap,” he said.

“But profitless volume is no way to build a sustainable company. It makes no sense to spend 1 billion (euros) on a new car and discount it almost at launch.” Along with current Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne, Palmer believes automakers need to not only stop spending billions on making almost identical products, but to consolidate to help save money. “In our industry there are too many capital junkies spending billions and getting too little return for it,” Palmer said. Perhaps even more concerning is Palmer’s outlook on how autonomous and electric vehicle technologies will affect the industry as a whole, specifically as they combine to further encourage ride-sharing.

“We risk moving toward commoditization of a pod,” he said. “The world does not need dozens of nameplates making the same objects. There are more than 75 automotive nameplates in Europe, but just four plane makers.” On a brighter note, Palmer firmly believes “a different business model” is desperately needed that can capitalize on certain customers’ demands to own exotic and emotional cars built by a company with a strong brand. “People are still looking for emotion in their motion and that's where the luxury manufacturers sit, and where Aston Martin is flourishing,” he said.

Given his comments, let’s hope the future of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, and all other exotic brands, figures out that new business model. We know no one here wants to live in an self-driving, EV pod hailing world.

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Hispano Suiza To Make Electric Debut In 2019

The pre-war luxury automaker announces its return. Again.

Remember Hispano Suiza? Of course, you don’t. Not unless you are a fan of extremely old Spanish motor manufacturers or happen to attend pre-war classic car Concours events. The name may be mostly unknown today but this company once shared the spotlight with the biggest names in the automotive world, producing some of the finest luxury vehicles money could buy like the 1931 9.5-liter J12 luxury tourer.

With the outbreak of WWII, it shifted focus to aircraft engines and totally ended all car production. However, after an absence of 80 years, a return to the motoring scene is planned with an all-electric supercar. Details are scarce and other than the confirmation of its electric powerplant and a single image that looks to mimic its pre-war designs, we will have to wait for the full reveal which will take place at next year’s 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

Hispano Suiza has a bit of history with electric vehicles says Miguel Suqué Mateu, great-grandson of the original founder and the current company president. "Back in 1900, when Hispano Suiza started, it built the first electric car in the world, but the prototype was never industrially manufactured," he said in the new model's teaser.

"Now, 119 years later, in March 2019, Hispano Suiza has its first 100% electric car, offering great performance and manufactured in Barcelona, the realization of my great grandfather's dream."

More recently, in 2010 Hispano Suiza revealed a carbon fiber bodied hybrid supercar based on an Audi R8. This car combined the existing 5.2-liter V10 engine, boosted by a pair of superchargers to produce 592 horsepower with an electric motor that offered a combined 740 hp and a 200mph+ top speed.

This vehicle never made it into production as far as we are aware, but the upcoming all-electric supercar is intended to become a proper production model, let’s hope that this time the Hispano name is back for good.

Aston Martin's Electric Cars Will Sound Awesome

From a company known for making V12 engines, this doesn't surprise us.

Aston Martin is gearing up to replace its oldest model, the Rapide, with an all-new electric model called the Rapide E. The Rapide E is expected to arrive next year and Aston Martin has been teasing us with little details like a photo of the car's electric drivetrain without a body on top of it. We know only 155 will be built in the first year, each with over 600 horsepower and 710 lb-ft of torque. Aston wants it to be able to complete laps around the Nurburgring without running out of juice, so clearly, this will be a seriously fast EV.

One detail that hasn't been brought up is how the car will sound. Aston Martin has clearly been thinking about it, as Automotive News Europe reports.

When a normal car company like Chevrolet or Nissan sells an electric car, what it sounds like is of very little concern. However, Aston Martin's customers are used to the growl of a V8 or V12 engine, so they may be less willing to purchase a car that makes no engine noise. Clearly, the company has reason to be concerned.

"It's not just a car. It's about Aston Martin as a box. Here is electrification — go put that inside a company that has a great history of making V12 and V8 engines," John Caress, vehicle line director for the Rapide E, said.

Aston wants to make sure it eliminates the noises that were masked by the V12 engine. The Nissan Leaf famously used a different windshield wiper motor because the Nissan's normal unit was too loud without an engine to drown it out. Aston is already thinking about this sort of issue and will use noise-canceling Pirelli tires to partially eliminate road noise. In regard to how the electric motors will sound, Caress said "Electric machines have a certain frequency, but it's very hard to tune them. You get into augmented noises and that's not what this car is about."

After the Rapide E, Aston plans to revive the Lagonda brand with a new electric SUV. Clearly, customers are on board with an electric SUV from Aston Martin because company CEO Andy Palmer said: "We had people throwing money at us as deposits" at the preview event for the Lagonda. We can't wait to see what Aston Martin comes up with to make its EVs sound good. Chevy recently revealed a white noise for the Volt, but it is geared towards helping pedestrians hear the car coming. Aston's sound will need to make people forget about the V12, which is not an easy task.

5 Cars That Would Be Better As Fully Electric Models

Not all cars should be EV, but these would be seriously great with some electrification.

Automakers seem to be on a mission to turn every car in their lineups into a hybrid or EV. Sometimes enthusiasts like to complain that certain cars should never include electrification. For example, we think that the Lamborghini Aventador would be worse if it was an EV. Part of what makes that car great is the sound and savage gear changes. This isn't the case with all cars though. There are certain models that we think would be much better if they had an EV drivetrain instead of a gas engine. Here are our top five cars that would be better off as EVs.

Rolls-Royce recently revealed its all-new Phantom VIII. This amazing flagship luxury car will pick up right where the previous Phantom left off by offering a buttery smooth 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12. Even though this engine produces 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque while barely making any noise, we think that the Phantom would be even better as an EV. This way, the car would be perfectly silent instead of just very silent. An EV drivetrain would also eliminate gear changes all together and give the car the smoothest acceleration possible. Rolls-Royce may build the most luxurious car, but it could still learn a few things from Tesla.

On a very similar note of luxury, we think that the new Audi A8 could benefit from an EV model. We could have easily included rival German sedans like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class on this list as well. These cars are all at the top of the technology pyramid in the auto industry. It would make sense that one of these cars should go electric and have incredible smoothness and performance that would match the high-class character of this segment. We chose the A8 simply because it is the newest of the three and features the most autonomous driving technology that would pair well with an EV drivetrain.

The Lexus LS is the last luxury flagship on the list that we think should become an EV. We could also make a similar argument with the smaller Lexus ES sedan. Lexus has been trying to catch up with the German automakers by offering sporty, RWD cars with very good handling. This effort has been good, but we think that Toyota needs to go back to what has helped it succeed: electrification. Toyota and Lexus hybrid models were once at the forefront of technology, but have since turned into an afterthought compared to Tesla. We think that Lexus could reinvigorate the market with an EV model that would help it leapfrog its German rivals.

The Range Rover Evoque is a bit of an oddball on this list. We chose the Evoque because we have always thought that this model never lived up to its full potential. The Evoque is extremely beautiful, but offers a very average 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder that seems out of place in such a futuristic-looking car. We think that the Evoque would be perfect as the first EV model from Land Rover. Not many people actually use the Evoque off-road anyway, but we have seen in the past that EVs can succeed off-road. Turning the Evoque into an EV would give more people more of a reason to gravitate to it, instead of just loving the Range Rover badge.

The Q60 is a very important car for Infiniti. The old G37 was a very popular car, but the 3.7-liter VQ V6 was getting a bit long in the tooth. Enter the new Q60 with its available 400 hp twin-turbo V6. We thought that this new engine would be what Infiniti needed to get back in the spotlight. However, it turns out that this new engine doesn't have a whole lot of character and neither does the Q60. We think that Infiniti needs to do something different in order to stand out. There is currently no sporty, affordable EV coupe on the market today. If Infiniti could turn the Q60 into a fast EV coupe, it could have a huge market advantage over cars like the BMW 4 Series, Mercedes C-Class coupe and Audi A5.