Audi e-tron quattro promises ’30 per cent’ of range from regenerative braking
More details about Audi's first series-production electric vehicle are emerging ahead of its September launch.
Audi has continued the drip-feed of information about its upcoming e-tron quattro, revealing its aggressive regenerative braking system in a video shot at Pikes Peak.
According to the company, regenerative braking is able to contribute "up to 30 per cent of the electric SUV's range", using a combination of three systems: manual coasting regeneration using the 'shift paddles', automated recuperation when coasting and automated recuperation when braking.
The first system, manual coasting, is essentially Audi's interpretation of the Nissan e-pedal. In its least aggressive setting the car will coast normally when you step off the throttle, in its most aggressive it'll decelerate at up to 0.3g without touching the brake pedal.
Conventional brakes – you know, with pads and discs – are only called into action when the driver demands more than 0.3g of deceleration. Audi is claiming the handover from regenerative to mechanical braking is supported by an all-new electro-hydraulic actuator. The company claims the system allows for maximum brake pressure in just 150 milliseconds, helping slice braking distances by 20 per cent.
Depending on the road surface and what the driver is asking for, the car will work out what combination of brake and regenerative power is required for each individual wheel. Of course, passengers won't have the faintest idea all that trickery is going on under the skin.
Along with the regenerative braking information, Audi has revealed the production e-tron will make 265kW of power and 561Nm of torque in normal conditions, or 300kW and 664Nm when the drive activates a special 'boost mode' is activated. The 100km/h sprint takes less than six seconds.
Audi will reveal the e-tron in full on September 17 in San Francisco.
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