Audi EV drive for S model will have world-first three electric motors

MANILA: Most electric vehicles have one electric motor to run all four wheels. Others with an all-wheel drive system will have two. Audi is shaking things up by aiming to be the world’s only automaker to put three electric motors on its upcoming mass production S model electric vehicles (EVs).

One motor will be in front while the other two will be on the rear axle. Together, the system delivers a full boost power of 370kW of power and 973Nm of torque, which will drive the vehicle from zero to 100kph in just 4.5 seconds.

The nominal values in the D gear without boost are 320kW and 808Nm of torque.

This will be a "quattro" system (all-wheel drive platform) and will also come with electric torque vectoring with active and fully variable torque distribution on the rear axle.

In normal driving mode, only the rear electric motors work. The front drive is unpowered but switches itself on – with the driver barely noticing – if the driver needs more power. It also switches on predictively if the grip declines. It does so when friction values are low and during rapid cornering. The electric all-wheel drive is complemented by technical innovation in the form of electrical torque vectoring, which brings the advantages of the conventional sport differential into the electric era. Each one of the rear electric motors sends the drive forces directly to the wheel via a transmission; there is no longer a mechanical differential.

One further advantage is the traction. If, during acceleration, a rear wheel comes into contact with a road surface with a low friction value, i.e. if the road surface is covered in black ice or has a loose subsurface, the torque can be distributed precisely and quickly between the two motors. The full torque is gradually distributed to the wheel with powerful traction, while the wheel with low traction continues moving with almost no torque.

The two prototypes of the e-tron S models (the e-tron and e-tron Sportback) drive on 20-inch alloy wheels in the five-V-spoke S design as standard. Different wheels up to 22 inches in size are available on request. To achieve an S-typical transverse dynamism, the tire widths in the sizes 20 inches, 21 inches, and 22 inches have all been enlarged to 285mm. Black brake calipers with a red S rhombus, with six pistons at the front in each case, grip the large brake discs (front diameter: 400 mm).

A further standard feature is the progressive steering – its ratio becomes more and more direct the further the driver turns the steering wheel. The front and rear axles have been created as a five-link design. Harmonization of the elastokinematics and of the dampers has also been optimized for the S models. In order to even further reduce the rolling movements during cornering, the stabilizers on both axles have been enlarged.

When the driver is on the road, the electric S models can be charged with up to 150kW of direct current power (HPC), such as in the UK and European Ionity network. This means that charging from five to 80% only takes around half an hour. An important factor for this is the elaborate thermal management system with a standard heat pump, which cools and heats the battery, the interior and the electric motors with four circuits. In addition, the Audi models will also be able to charge with up to 11 kW of alternating current (AC).

The powerful and dynamic design of the e-tron S models features the progressive Audi design vocabulary, which emphasizes the strong contours of the wheels. Details such as the octagonal Singleframe, which is for the most part sealed and painted bright grey, move the design into the electric era. At the lower edge of LED headlights, four struts create the e-tron-specific signature in the daytime running lights. The front and rear bumpers are heavily contoured, while the diffuser insert runs almost the full width of the vehicle. The bumper is flanked by bigger and more expressive air curtains, which improve air flow. They extend below the headlights, thereby creating a dynamic appearance even from a distance. On both sides, the wheel arches are 23mm wider. Silver-colored elements — from the lip of the front bumper, the Singleframe and the door inserts right up to the diffuser — highlight the vehicle’s features.

Both S models are available on request with the digital Matrix LED headlights, a worldwide first in mass production. Their light is dispersed into small pixels and can be controlled with high precision, and this facilitates many new functions such as lane and orientation light. In narrow areas, for example, it shows the car’s position in the lane and thus helps the driver to remain in the center.

The interior of the future e-tron S models has been kept in dark colors. A large arc connects the displays of the virtual external mirrors with the bonnet above the Audi virtual cockpit. The instrument panel is driver-oriented, the middle tunnel’s console rests on open side walls. The electrically adjustable Valcona leather sport seats and the gear selector lever feature a rhombus S embossing. The door sills and steering wheel feature S badges. On request, Audi can offer a super sport seat in leather with a rhombus pattern in black, rotor grey or Aras red, as well as an air-conditioned customized contour seat with perforated leather.

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