The specs are much closer to a Roadster than to a Model S, so they are only 7 years behind!
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Audi R8 e-tron
- Thread starter SwedishAdvocate
- Start date
The specs are much closer to a Roadster than to a Model S, so they are only 7 years behind!
green1
Active Member
Assuming they stick to the specs "PHEV version a possibility" tells me it will have less than half that range as an EV with the rest coming from gasoline. (maybe I'm too cynical, but this is another "I'll believe it when I see it" vote)
As I wrote in the link provided I wouldn't read too much into this news:
This car will only be built upon customers specifically ordering it (I think it was confirmed back in spring 2014 at an Audi event or annual conference already, this is just another “confirmation”).
So I wouldn’t get my hopes too high other than the car being built:
- customer orders only (very small series)
- cost probably around $200k or higher (even the normal ICE R8 is very expensive)
I think this is merely a test car series and EV platform evaluation for Audi.
PS: The volume production will be the A3 etron and similar future PHEVs from Audi (with shared technology and parts across all VW brands). This PHEV is soon available globally: A3 Sportback e-tron® | Audi USA
This car will only be built upon customers specifically ordering it (I think it was confirmed back in spring 2014 at an Audi event or annual conference already, this is just another “confirmation”).
So I wouldn’t get my hopes too high other than the car being built:
- customer orders only (very small series)
- cost probably around $200k or higher (even the normal ICE R8 is very expensive)
I think this is merely a test car series and EV platform evaluation for Audi.
PS: The volume production will be the A3 etron and similar future PHEVs from Audi (with shared technology and parts across all VW brands). This PHEV is soon available globally: A3 Sportback e-tron® | Audi USA
HankLloydRight
No Roads
Concerning a charging network... Suppose they put in one or two DC chargers in every Audi and VW dealership? No extra rent or planning/zoning needed. And they're usually in commercial areas. Probably wouldn't cost much to put in a DC charging station at each dealer. Instant charging network.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
The R8 e-tron was supposed to be Audi's response to the Roadster, but it was delayed/cancelled so many times most people have given up expecting it to ever come out.
RobStark
Well-Known Member
They have to actually do it. Not instant.
Like Nissan Chademo, they would be conveniently placed for shopping not intra-city travel and cross country travel.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
I agree. Nissan is doing the dealer network in the USA and even though by location count they have way more locations than Tesla, it is far from a viable road-trip network.
The biggest problem is there is typically 1 charger and the dealers do not have much incentive to keep it running/available even if the charger was given to them for free.
Canuck
Well-Known Member
I think it would take a better product rather than just equal competition to sway Tesla owners. Then it would be like Blackberry -- there will always be a few stragglers who hang on until the bitter end but ultimately whoever makes the best product will rule the roost.
Most of the CCS chargers are open 24/7 in Europe, there are already over 500 of them:
CCS/Combo Charge Map - Europe
I don't think Audi or VW need to open many dealer stations in Europe at this point. Western Europe basically had zero CCS stations just two years ago, soon it will have 1000-1500 stations...this is no longer a problem. North America will follow until 2020 or so.
PS: I'm not sure if the R8 will feature CCS (I assume it will because of its large battery), but in any case all VW brands will use CCS over time or already do so (VW e-Golf, e-up etc.).
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I read that quote it doesn't say when the BEV version of the R8 is coming... Only that there will be a new R8 next year. I find it unlikely that the first version of the new R8 won't have an ICE component.
Very good to see! As much as we Tesla owners are focused on the Supercharger network, we tend to forget to see what else is going on.
Audi already confirmed that the car was back on track in March 2014, as I wrote earlier. It could launch in 2015 or 2016, the exact date isn't known yet:
Hackenberg's next Audi R8 could rock the EV world
Again, small customer series built on demand only and highest price for any R8 variant. A BMW i8 will probably be considered cheap in comparison
I don't think 2015 is out of question since I doubt they will sell many at these price points.
I think this is looking like a technology demonstration and test series for Audi for its future EV and PHEV models (and of course VW sister brands like Porsche etc.)
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HankLloydRight
No Roads
I think it's a braindead idea for all the Nissan and other US based dealers to only have their charging stations open during business hours. They should be open 24/7. It wouldn't take much for Audi/VW to stipulate that their DC chargers be available 24/7.
Also, the Audi dealer network (See below) seems pretty well dispersed (except for that barren land around the Rockies). If in fact that Audi is making a car to compete with the Model S in terms of range and cost, using the existing dealer network as a de-facto DC charging network seems like a no-brainer. And this doesn't include VW dealers (although many are both). The dealers might not be "right off the highway" as Tesla has designed the SC network, but with so many dealers, it's easier to choose which ones are most efficient for a long distance trip.
I'm just saying, if Audi is serious about competing with Tesla in this space, this seems like the way to go to compete with the SC network. And it would take, what, a couple of days and a few thousand dollars to have an electrician install a DC charging station at an existing dealer location? It's not the time and expense of building out the SC network from scratch.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
The Europe situation doesn't really apply here in the US. The EU has a law that all public DC stations must provide CCS at minimum. And their governments are investing lots of money into DC charging. That's why the market share of CCS has exploded.
In the US, there is no such law and much less investment into public DC infrastructure.
The dealer based network looks nice on a map, but reality is less encouraging. Many dealers in Europe are located in not so friendly neighbourhoods, firmly locked up outside business hours and about the last place where you would like to stop at any hour. Often they lack spare parking space and the charging spots are blocked by other vehicles. As of today stories about erring EV drivers looking in vain for an accessible and functioning powerful charger abound.
DuncanWatson
Member
I don't own a Tesla but I don't believe Tesla deserves this comment. It has delivered every vehicle it has claimed to be working on up to this point. Audio and the R8 etron has a horrible record.
These are all charging stations, not just dealer-based ones. The map clearly distinguishes between 24/7 and other opening hours, at the moment:
CCS Charge Map - Europe
471 (open 24/7)
96 (not open 24/7)
Total: 567 - CCS/Combo Charge Map - Europe
If you find errors, please report them. The growth in CCS stations (many of them combined with Chademo and AC plugs in newer installations) is encouraging in Europe in my opinion.
I don't know if the R8 will feature a CCS plug (not that it will matter much because it will be a low-volume car) but I'm pretty sure all future Audi EVs (SUVs etc.) will include the plug. VW is a supporter of CCS as mostif not all Western car brands.
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