But what about the Audi R8 supercar? “The future will be fully electric,” said Hoffman. “We intend to come up with some surprises again and we are working on sports car concepts that will probably be fully electric. All I can say is we will surprise and thrill you.” Even though this is hardly a confirmation, there is very little doubt that Audi will not plan a fun and electric supercar. It’s certainly not out of the question, as Audi has the means to do it, thanks to its new PPE architecture, 800-volt platform, and high-performance electric motors.

Audi’s current electric design language, seen on the Audi e-tron GT and A6 e-tron Concept, would make for an absolutely stunning electric sports car. If Audi were to make something reminiscent of the PB18 e-tron Concept from Pebble Beach a few years back, the automotive market would be taken by surprise.

Audi Sport’s next project is to “transform the R segment, and the R segment is going to be fully electric. This is our job for the next decade,” Audi Sport’s head of product marketing Linda told CNET’s Roadshow last year.

As of right now, there doesn’t seem to be an official timeline as to when the current R8 will die off and when successor will emerge. This current R8 should last about another year, with its naturally-aspirated V10 engine, but don’t expect it to last much longer than that.

[Source: QuattroDaily]

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Typically, electric cars sound like laptops when running a processor-heavy program. Audi, though, wants the new e-tron GT to sound more thrilling more interesting than that. So it’s gotten to work on developing a specific noise for the Audi e-tron GT, to make sure that it’s as emotionally as exciting as it is to drive.

In this new video, we get to see part of the process behind developing this new noise. Audi looked at so many different noises, to see what sort of other sounds outside of internal combustion can bring back some of the excitement ICE engines make.

So Audi looked at turbines, fans and nature, to come up with a sound that’s both powerful and sophisticated. It needed something that would give drivers a real idea of just how fast they’re going, even when the drivetrain is all-electric. Considering that noise is half experience of driving pleasure, this new noise is going to be extremely important.

Thankfully, drivers will get to choose how they use the sound. There will be settings that control when it’s used and how much of it they hear. For instance, it can be tied to the drive select mode, to become sportier as the modes do, and the volume of it can be changed as well. So there will be flexibility in its usage.

Check out this video to see how it was made and what it will be like.

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For instance, the upcoming Audi e-tron GT will not use the same sort of electric motors as the current e-tron SUV and for good reason.

We reached out to Audi to find out whether the upcoming Audi e-tron GT would have the same sorts of motors. As it turns out, the e-tron GT will not use the same motors as the e-tron SUV and there’s specific reasoning as to why.

The two types of electric motors most commonly used in modern electric cars are Asynchronous motors (ASM) and Permanent Magnet motors (PSM). You’ll find the former in the Audi e-tron SUV and the latter in the Audi e-tron GT. Both ASM and PSM motors have their strengths and weaknesses and both have their own place in the automotive world.

So why does the e-tron SUV use ASM motors, while the new e-tron GT will use PSM? To be honest, the answer is quite simple and it’s entirely to do with performance versus efficiency.

ASM motors are both more comfortable and more efficient to use. Not only are they just inherently a bit smoother in their operation but they allow for a pure coasting mode, whereas PSM motors do not, which helps both comfort and efficiency. So you can clearly see why the e-tron SUV would use ASM motors, as it’s a comfortable, luxurious SUV focused more on range than performance.

However, on the flip side of that coin, the Audi e-tron GT uses PSM motors precisely because it’s a car more concerned with performance than efficiency. PSM motors offer a sportier, more direct feel that befits the e-tron GT (and the Porsche Taycan with which the e-tron GT shares its architecture). The e-tron GT’s main priority is to be a performance car, so it can sacrifice a bit of comfort and efficiency for a sportier feel.

There’s also the issue of cost. Due to the fact that ASM motors don’t require any rare Earth materials, like PSM motors do, they’re cheaper to make. The standard Audi e-tron SUV is already too expensive, hovering dangerously close to $80,000 to start. So using the most cost-efficient electric motor possible is wise.

While the Audi e-tron GT is going to be the flagship halo car for the e-tron brand, so its high price tag is expected. Because of that, it’s okay for Audi to spend a bit more money on its electric motors, so it can get the best performance possible.

That’s really the meat and potatoes of the differences between ASM and PSM electric motors. Both have their strengths and weaknesses but it really boils down to efficiency versus performance. The e-tron SUV prioritizes the former, while the Audi e-tron GT prioritizes the latter.

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We’ve been waiting with bated breath to see the e-tron GT in the flesh ever since Audi first showed off the concept car.

In these spy photos, it looks excellent. Of course, we can’t see the whole car, as it’s covered in heavy camouflaged, but we can see enough to be stoked.

Its profile looks fantastic; long, low and muscular; and its proportions seem excellent for a four-door electric sedan.

What’s also wonderful is the fact that it seems to look just like the stunning concept car on which it’s based. Even the headlights and taillights look nearly identical to those found on the concept. When Audi reps told me the concept’s design was about 95-percent production-ready, they weren’t kidding.

Powering the e-tron GT will be a pair of electric motors, likely making somewhere around 560 hp, which is what the Porsche Taycan 4S makes. Audi claims 0-60 in around 3.5 seconds, which sounds a bit conservative.

The Audi e-tron GT will make its worldwide debut sometime in late 2020, likely December.

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