R8-inspired e-tron unveiled as world’s first all-electric supercar, Audi says Lithium-Ion battery will offer power to match handling

The silent supercar revolution is here! Audi is forging ahead of its competitors with a sensational all-electric sports car based on the R8, and our exclusive images show how the production-ready e-tron will look when it hits the streets.

A camouflaged prototype of Audi’s e-tron was caught in full flight by our spy photographers while testing in Germany, and it’s these pin-sharp scoops that formed the basis for the design of the showroom-ready car you see here.

It’s the proof we’ve been waiting for that Audi is staying true to its word and readying a range of electric cars, starting with this flagship supercar and followed by a smaller TT-rivalling electric R4. And the timing of the shots couldn’t be better. Appearing only weeks before Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division launches its electric SLS, Audi has well and truly stolen Merc’s thunder.

The resemblance to the petrol-powered R8 is startling – in the spy shots and our images it’s clear that from the A-pillar forward, e-tron is virtually identical. From the windscreen backwards, it takes on an even sleeker appearance.

Apart from small blades below the LED headlights, there are no air intakes anywhere – it has even blanked off the traditional side air intakes of the V8 and V10 R8s. First seen at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the concept car’s narrow rear screen has been retained, although widened slightly for greater visibility.

With fuel costs spiralling and tough emissions regulations on the horizon, Audi is committing to an electric future – but not at the expense of performance. In Frankfurt, the company claimed that the production version would have 4,500Nm of torque at the wheels – equivalent to around 700Nm in real terms – from the instant the driver stepped on the throttle.

It achieves that, plus 313hp of power, by having four in-board electric motors – two mounted on the middle of the front axle and another two on the rear axle. Power is supplied by a liquid-cooled, mid-mounted Lithium-Ion battery pack, which should authentically replicate the R8’s superb handling.

With a light right foot, the e-tron will have a range of just under 155 miles. But it has enough grunt to charge from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, with top speed limited to 125mph.

When it goes on sale in 2012, expect to pay more than £100,000 for the privilege of owning the first bona-fide electric supercar to go on sale.

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