Audi teases electric supercar concept

AUDI has chosen the annual Pebble Beach Car Week classic car fun fest in California to unveil an electrified “puristic sportscar of the future” concept this month.

 

Called PB18 e-tron – PB18 standing for Pebble Beach 2018 – the rolling prototype will break cover at the nearby Laguna Seca race circuit on August 23 before making appearances at The Quail classic car gathering at Monterey on August 24 and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 26.

 

The car’s styling has a Californian link, having been conceived at Audi’s new Malibu Design Loft near Los Angeles.

 

Audi says its hybrid R18 Le Mans Series race winner inspired some of the technological details of the car, although the German company has not disclosed details.

 

Although most pundits expect a fully electric powertrain in the PB18 e-tron, Audi has not confirmed that, saying only that it will have “a powerful electric drive”. 

 

This could also mean an R18 race-style hybrid combining an internal combustion engine on the rear wheels and a KERS energy capture and release system connected to a motor/generator on the front axle. Time will tell.

 

Whatever it is, it is sure to be quattro all-wheel drive.

 

The teaser shot of the wide supercar reveals what appear to be rear vision cameras protruding from each side of the roof line. Slimline LED lights dominate the front, and that’s about it.

 

Audi has given no hints on whether the car will spawn a production version, but it is most likely a design study to test new elements for future Audi sportscars such as the R8.

 

Along with the PB18, Audi will bring a fleet of vintage Audi vehicles and current performance models to Pebble Beach for the big event.

 

Audi is just the latest manufacturer to wheel out concepts and new models at Pebble Beach. Mercedes-Maybach showed its Vision 6 Coupe there in 2016.

 

BMW, Infiniti, Aston Martin, Cadillac and Lexus have also all milked the glamour of the event to show their latest creations.

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