R8 e-tron to be produced?

[Goran]

probably not everyone's cup of tea, but for me very interesting as I am a big fan of electric cars. So far my favourite was Tesla, but I was secretly hoping Audi would step in and start producing them too. What I really want is an electric 8 though.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/audi/r8-e-tron

We should make it a forum project to convert a D2 (one with a dead gearbox/no engine) to run on batteries.
Could even keep 4WD by mounting a second motor and second rear diff to the front drive shafts. Battery would go into the transmission tunnel.

[tintin]

Sadly, I think this is more of a defensive "smoke and mirrors" exercise by the premium German manufacturers to try to stop defection of Audi (and Mercedes and BMW) customers to Tesla (though I'm biased…). This has been happening in droves in the US, where '8's, S classes and 7 series are being outsold by the Tesla Model S this year.

Retrofitting a battery pack into an existing petrol (or diesel) car just isn't going to work anytime soon, especially when it comes to range and weight distribution - though I love the idea of doing the same on an 8's transmission tunnel, if you could overcome those difficulties.

[Goran]

I think you are probably right, but I'm still hoping Audi surprise us and produce it (and other cars).
Its true that retrofiting batteries to a fossil fuel car is not ideal with currently available battery technology. However it could be useful for short trips because obtaining something like 50 miles range is easy. It would be fun to drive to work or shops in a 8 and not worry about congestion charge, fuel bills, etc.

[steamship]

Originally Posted by Goran

It would be fun to drive to work or shops in a 8 and not worry about congestion charge, fuel bills, etc.

You would just need to get a recording of Marcins A8, so that people heard you coming.

[Goran]

Yes, that's going to be the hardest part

[B@fink]

Transmission tunnel batteries, ok, but don't forget the fossil fuel tank is massive and if replaced could also hold a a significant volume of batteries for extra oomph!

[Architex_mA8tey]

In the hybrid D4 A8 the floor level of the boot is way higher just to accommodate the batteries so I'm not sure you get what you need in the transmission tunnel!

[Goran]

Ah but the hybrid d4 probably still has a drive shaft in that tunnel? sorry just realised you said suspension tunnel.
The fuel tank space is an excellent suggestion. We only need relatively small range, few batteries, something like Tesla range is way too expensive.
The biggest problem is lithium battery cost. Maybe NiMh batteries are cheaper but poor capacity and power density, cant supply many amps. Lead acid too heavy, even worse capacity.
I bet electric motors can be found very cheaply at scrap yards.

[ainarssems]

Ah but the hybrid d4 probably still has a drive shaft in that tunnel?

And exhaust and still has a fuel tank.

[Architex_mA8tey]

Originally Posted by ainarssems

And exhaust and still has a fuel tank.

Its a nightmare, the boot space is ridiculously small