The Audi PB18 e-tron is an all-electric supercar concept Audi unveiled during 2018 Monterey Car Week, its first ever concept reveal at Pebble Beach. It packs three electric motors for up to 570 kW (764 horsepower), a 95-kWh battery, and a movable central driving position inspired by Audi's R18 Le Mans racer. As a one-off concept, the PB18 e-tron was never given a public price or a release date, but it remains one of Audi's boldest visions of an electric performance car.
What is the Audi PB18 e-tron?
The carmaker chose Monterey Car Week to make a statement about the future, and that statement is called the PB18 e-Tron. This is the first time Audi has unveiled a concept at Pebble Beach, and it is quite something. The car is powered by three electric motors, outputting up to 570 kW (764 horsepower). The all-wheel-drive vehicle has three electric motors, two in the back and one in the front. While the car is a giant ball of performance, Audi says it is at home off the track too. The name itself nods to the venue and the year of the debut.
What is the PB18 e-tron interior like?
Once the driver is seated, the dash cluster, steering wheel, and pedals automatically move towards the center of the car. It is slick, and the driver enters the vehicle on the left-hand side like you would any production vehicle. "We want to offer the driver an experience that is otherwise available only in a racing car like the Audi R18," said Gael Buzyn, head of the Audi Design Loft in Malibu. "That is why we developed the interior around the ideal driver's position in the center." Audi says the PB18 e-Tron should go from a standstill to 62mph (100km/h) in just over two seconds, putting the PB18 on par with the dearly departed R18 race car. According to Audi MediaCenter, the seat can also slide to a side position to make room for a passenger.
What is the Audi PB18 e-tron range and top speed?
The car's electric powertrain is what enables this incredible achievement. Ditching the hulking engine up front allows for all sorts of interesting moves. Instead, the concept has a 95-kWh battery pack that offers up to around 310 miles of range and can be refilled quickly with an 800-volt charger. As New Atlas reported at the reveal, the high-voltage architecture allows for very rapid charging, a preview of the technology Audi would later bring to its production e-tron models.
Where to find electric supercars like the PB18 e-tron
If the Audi PB18 e-tron has you dreaming of electric performance, explore the full TheArsenale car collection and the TheArsenale electric vehicle collection. For electric machines you can actually order, see the Apex AP-1 electric sports car, the Nitid Trinity electric hypercar, and the RAESR Tachyon Speed.
