Portrays the meticulous process of a car in any way exclusive sports is suppose to be fun. I really agree that is, that is probably why Audi has launched 'behind-the-scenes' look at the production of Audi R8 e-Tron.
Currently being built the new Audi R8 e-Tron in a small run pre-production in Neckarsulm, factory of Audi's Germany. The new R8 e-Tron will have 308 horsepower (230 Kw), and 3,319 libras-pies of couple of their 4 electric motors. Power is provided by a 53 KWh lithium-ion battery. This combination will accelerate the e-Tron from 0 - 62 mph in 4.8 seconds and start 155 mph.
Audi R8 e-tron: a look inside the development workshop
Quattro GmbH builds the technology platform on the site of satellite in BiberachWerner Frowein, Managing Director of quattro GmbH: "the staff is highly specialized in the production of small series".The first all-electric Audi will be built in Neckarsulm site, with a career of small production of R8 e-tron sports to hit the road at the end of 2012. Quattro GmbH is currently building the first technology platform for the electric model on the site of satellite of Neckarsulm in Heilbronn-Biberach plant. Especially qualified are loans from the series production of the successful Audi R8 supercar as riding the R8 e-tron in the workshop of development.
The 122 annual General meeting of AUDI AG in Neckarsulm gave journalists of product and business his first opportunity to look inside the development workshop for the Audi R8 e-tron."With the R8 e-tron, show you how to inspire electric mobility can be." Each system in this car has been adjusted to obtain maximum performance and range, "says Franciscus van Meel, head of strategy of electric mobility of AUDI AG." "The R8 e-tron is a very important for Audi project because the competence and the experience you get from it will flow later in the large volume of production of electric cars". The expectation is that e-tron will become synonymous with advanced mobility electric, as well as the term "quattro" today is a pioneer in all wheel drive. "We want to be the leading manufacturer of premium electric vehicles by the year 2020," said Meel van.
Systematic lightweight construction is one of the key requirements for efficiency and the range of electric vehicles. The Audi development engineers are therefore based on one of the main responsibilities of the company for the R8 e-tron: the body is made of aluminium; Thanks to the technology of the Audi Space Frame (ASF), weighs little more than 200 kg (441 lb). The body light is an important reason why the R8 e-tron weighs only 1,600 kg (3,527 lb).Employed in the Centre of pre-production in Neckarsulm and quattro GmbH are currently building the first electric car technology platforms. "The successful production of our high-performance Audi R8 sports has given to the employees of quattro GmbH runs a high level of competence in the field of small production and the manufacture of sports cars," explains Managing Director Werner Frowein.
The body of aluminium technology platform is being built in conditions very close to the volume of production in the workshop of bodywork for the R8 supercar. Specific assembled for the electric model, such as the center tunnel, taking place in the Centre of pre-production in Neckarsulm. The R8 e-tron also passes through the process of coating with the model of volume. Technology platform, is then sent to the satellite site in Heilbronn-Biberach for final assembly. "The production process is designed so that we can exploit synergies of R8 production volume," Frowein said.
For example, the concept of sophisticated logistics which supplies the R8 parts factory is also used for the body of technology platform. Pre-Picked components are delivered to employees in "shopping basket". The parties are installed in the vehicles in a sequence defined in four cycles. "Small series production imposes high demands on our employees," Frowein said. For this reason, the development workshop has experienced employees who worked on the R8 series production, where they picked up key competence in the production of small series."Staff development workshop is particularly qualified for high voltage vehicles," explains Andreas Heine, project manager of quattro GmbH for the body of the R8 e-tron. They are trained in three stages, depending on their function and technical training, to work with the technology of high voltage. Baseline is the awareness to lead and work on high voltage vehicles. The formation and is based on this to qualify workers as experts in electronics for defined activities. Finally, the training extended as specialists of electronic certification for automotive technology provides employees with the experience necessary to perform the full range of activities related to the models of high voltage.
AUDI AG is investing more than 5 million euros in the two German sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm between 2011 and 2015. A majority of this investment flow into the development of new products and future technologies, such as the electric and hybrid systems.
The future of mobility: the history of the Audi R8 e-tron
September 2009 Audi presents the car of sports of high-performance e-tron electric unit of everyone at the Frankfurt Motor Show. With 230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319 lb-ft) of torque, the two-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds.June 2010 quattro to GmbH in Neckarsulm is chosen to build the R8 e-tron due to its competence in the areas of production in small series and the manufacture of high-performance sports cars.
July 2010 Audi R8 e-tron wins the Rally of E-Auto Silvretta. The two-seater exceeds 23 other electric cars in the race for three days on 167.5 km (104 miles).
