Audi is putting the finishing touches to the most revolutionary edition of its R8 sports car ever, the pure electric e-Tron. From what we hear, the production R8 e-Tron will make its first public outing at the Paris Motor Show this September.
Our spies caught up with an undisguised prototype in production trim silently testing on the Nürburgring. The only thing missing from the test car are the chrome bars on the side vents under the barely noticeable modified LED headlamps, while the production car will also get a different set of wheels.
The prototype is fitted with a six-point grille that will also make its appearance on the soon-to-be-revealed facelifted 2013 R8. The e-Tron version can be identified by the special black cover that replaces the regular model’s window, the deep scoop on the hood and the absence of exhaust pipes on the modified rear apron.
However, what really separates the e-Tron from the rest of the range is the electric driveline. The German supercar makes use of four electric motors, two each at the front and rear axles driving all four wheels, which will produce an estimated combined output of 230kW or 308hp (313PS).
Like the concept model, the production e-Tron will feature a lithium-ion battery that can be charged through any household outlet.
The R8 e-Tron will be built in a limited number of units with pricing in Europe believed to be in excess of €150,000 (US$200,000).
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