You can choose to have the interior as a single-seater, or enough space for two.
Audi unveils a concept car at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It’s a stunning machine that combines elements from a hot hatch, race car and even a bit of a sports bike. The vehicle is internally called “Level Zero” by the designers because it has a lot of tech but the driver controls everything. There’s no semi-autonomous equipment.
The PB18 front looks like a sports coupe. However, you don’t need to convince anyone that this is the R8. The PB18 is actually a three door hatchback when viewed from the rear and profile. A swept-back windshield opens to a flat roof with a pointed rear end. The entire hatch is lit by LED taillights.
The PB18 has three electric motors. One drives the front axle at 201 horsepower (150 kilowatts), and the other two drive each rear wheel at 604 horsepower (450 kW). The concept’s total output is 671 horsepower (500 kW) with 612 pound-feet (830 Nm) of torque. However, the driver can temporarily increase the power to 764 HP (570 kW). Audi claims this engine can reach speeds of 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 2 seconds.
Audi envisions a futuristic, solid-state battery that has a 95-kilowatt hour capacity. This would give Audi an estimated range of more than 310.7 miles (500 km) under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure. The battery would be charged with an 800-volt charger in 15 minutes. Wireless induction charging is also possible. The electric motors are able to re-charge power and brake, while traditional discs or rotors can only be used during hard stops. This maximizes efficiency.
The PB18 interior reminds us a lot of motorcycles. It can be converted between single and double-passenger layouts, much like removing the cover at the back of the seat to make it possible to carry a bicycle passenger. The driver can sit in the middle of the cockpit to see the entire windshield. An augmented reality system is integrated into the glass to show information about the road ahead. This includes the best racing line at a track. The driver’s seat and instruments can be moved over to make room for another person when the vehicle is being driven. A hatchback layout maximizes cargo space by providing 16.6 cubic feet (470 Liters) of storage. This is slightly less than the VW Golf’s 17.4 cubic foot (492 Liters) storage.