Audi's 671bhp PB18 Concept Will Make Limited Production

Ahead of a future production version of the solid-state battery-equipped PB18, a limited run of 50 cars closely based on the concept will be sold to help recoup costs
Audi's 671bhp PB18 Concept Will Make Limited Production

A car closely related to the PB18 electric shooting brake concept will be sold – but in strictly limited numbers, Audi has confirmed.

Speaking to Autoblog.nl at the launch of Audi’s new electric SUV in the Netherlands, new CEO Bram Schot said that the PB18 – which may be given another name than the concept’s ‘Pebble Bach 2018’ moniker – will be built and sold as a strictly limited edition of 50 cars.

Audi's 671bhp PB18 Concept Will Make Limited Production

Doing so at a handsome price will help Audi recoup some of the eye-watering costs of developing an all-electric successor to the R8.

The stunning concept used solid-state batteries that are lighter and more energy-dense than traditional types. They can also be charged more quickly, pack more potential range into a smaller space and deliver better crash safety. The PB18 houses 95kWh of liquid-cooled battery capacity that can recharge – in theory – in 15 minutes.

Audi's 671bhp PB18 Concept Will Make Limited Production

As we reported last year, the PB18 uses three motors; two at the back and one up front. The rear pair produce 234bhp each while the front pulls with 201bhp. An overboost function lifts overall peak system output to 671bhp.

The driver sits centrally in a ‘variable layout’ cockpit where a single passenger is optional. Digital displays and the latest head-up tech will be standard.

Audi's 671bhp PB18 Concept Will Make Limited Production

Braking duties will be split between the motors, which act as generators under anything up to moderate braking forces and will do 99 per cent of the work on the road, are supplemented by gigantic 19-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes for when you accidentally end up at Silverstone instead of Sainsbury’s.

The finished thing will weigh less than 1550kg, it’s claimed, and charge (pun intended) to 62mph in just over two seconds… if you can stop your eyeballs bashing their way out of the back of your skull.

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Comments

Moodles

I’m excited for the future of cars if this is what they look like!

01/11/2019 - 10:42 |
31 | 0
CMGPredator

Audi is really rocking it with these electric concepts!

01/11/2019 - 11:15 |
4 | 0
theAQUAwolf (audibros)

Reminds me of a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso, just more futuristic

01/11/2019 - 11:55 |
1 | 0
TheMindGarage

1550kg? 15 minute charges? I’m sceptical, but if they can pull this off it will be a game changer.

01/11/2019 - 13:38 |
23 | 0

Solid state >> lithium ion

01/11/2019 - 13:52 |
8 | 0
Freddie Skeates

Is this the first electric car with SS batteries? How much weight/kW per tonne to they save over Lithium Ion?

01/11/2019 - 13:51 |
3 | 0
Anonymous

The rear makes me think about the breadvan

01/11/2019 - 14:38 |
2 | 0
Porsche 959 (CarThrottle's only Facel Vega fanboy, still act

Holy sh*t this is the coolest thing Audi’s made since the Rosemeyer.

01/11/2019 - 16:33 |
1 | 1
Basith Penna-Hakkim

How about the RS4 with E-Tron drivetrain?

01/11/2019 - 16:54 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I’d hate to see all the check engine lights that thing will have.

01/11/2019 - 23:20 |
1 | 1
Danny S

Most car guys: Electric cars suck they’re boring and look ugly and I hate them
Audi: Hey guys check out our sweet electric concept car that we’re actually going to build!

01/12/2019 - 13:58 |
3 | 0

My main problem with electrics is that: you can’t tune them like a gasoline, you can’t hear a electric from 100 meters away and say “it’s a Audi Quattro !” They are good in acceleration and low center of mass, but the engine sound is a important aspect of a car. It’s what makes you pay extra for a RS3 instead of just getting the S3, 5 cylinder engines are special.

But I got nothing against a good hybrid such as the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, or even the 740e (although it should have a straight 6 B58 instead of the 4 pot B48)

01/13/2019 - 00:56 |
1 | 0