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The Formula E race in Rome on April 14 will mark the real world debut of what is one of those few special cars to be manufactured taking inspiration from a video game: the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo.
Originally developed together with Sony and Polyphony Digital as an in-game car only for the Gran Turismo franchise, the e-tron has been brought to life following seven-months worth of efforts made by Audi engineers.
For the real world car, which would take on the role of race taxi at the Rome event and subsequent Formula E races, engineers have taken inspiration, in terms of both desing lines and colors, from the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO, a star of the racing series in 1989.
The e-tron Vision is powered by a combo of three electric motors, each developing 200 kW. The motors are used to spin both of the rear wheels and front axle. Combined, and converted into a unit more to our liking, the system has a total output of 815 hp.
The fact that the model features an extremely lightweight construction - the curb weight of the entire machine is 1,450 kilograms (3,200 pounds) – gives it an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) of only 2.5 seconds.
To be driven at the Formula E and other similar events by DTM driver Rahel Frey or Le Mans winner Dindo Capello, the e-tron Vision is to be used by Audi as another show car portraying what future Audi customers can expect from the future e-tron range.
“E-Mobility is rapidly gaining importance. That is why in 2017 Audi was the first German manufacturer to enter Formula E with a factory-backed commitment,” said Peter Mertens, the head of Audi technical development department.
“In our development laboratory motorsport, we are continuously expanding our expertise in e-mobility and gathering valuable experience also in extremely demanding conditions.”
For the real world car, which would take on the role of race taxi at the Rome event and subsequent Formula E races, engineers have taken inspiration, in terms of both desing lines and colors, from the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO, a star of the racing series in 1989.
The e-tron Vision is powered by a combo of three electric motors, each developing 200 kW. The motors are used to spin both of the rear wheels and front axle. Combined, and converted into a unit more to our liking, the system has a total output of 815 hp.
The fact that the model features an extremely lightweight construction - the curb weight of the entire machine is 1,450 kilograms (3,200 pounds) – gives it an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) of only 2.5 seconds.
To be driven at the Formula E and other similar events by DTM driver Rahel Frey or Le Mans winner Dindo Capello, the e-tron Vision is to be used by Audi as another show car portraying what future Audi customers can expect from the future e-tron range.
“E-Mobility is rapidly gaining importance. That is why in 2017 Audi was the first German manufacturer to enter Formula E with a factory-backed commitment,” said Peter Mertens, the head of Audi technical development department.
“In our development laboratory motorsport, we are continuously expanding our expertise in e-mobility and gathering valuable experience also in extremely demanding conditions.”
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