Ludicrous Mode on a new Tesla Model S will rocket you from 0-60 in just 2.6 seconds. Now Audi wants to top that with their newest electric vehicle offerings, and that hope is resting with a new battery technology they’re developing.
In an interview with Car Advice, Audi’s senior scientist for Li-Ion cell development, Dr Peter Pilgram, revealed that he believes Audi has a decent shot at defeating Tesla’s Ludicrous Mode with their new battery technology.
According to the report, Audi is developing prismatic cells for the batteries. These cells are small and energy dense, with the ability to utilize approximately 75% of packaging space. On the other hand, Tesla uses cylindrical cells, with utilize approximately 50% of packaging space.
“It’s difficult to comment on competitors, but we think we will make a very good offer. Our target is to have the best car available and this is why we are using prismatic cells and pouch cells, for example, which are really designed for automotive use [compared to the use of cylindrical cells by Tesla],” he said.
“We know they have a very high-cycle life and calendrical ageing — these cells are the best cells on the market.”
At the end of the day, the fast acceleration of Tesla’s are just one component that makes up what is the best electric vehicle on the market. If Audi is able to beat the performance of a Tesla Model S in Ludicrous Mode (not to mention the un-released Plaid Model S, coming next year), Audi will have to do just as well in other areas, like software, in order to truly dethrone Tesla’s flagship Model S.
