Wow! As an old-school musclecar guy, most of the recent "sporty" cars leave me cold... mostly appliances with glued-on stuff like Pontiac, with the same modest if reliable engines and no real manual transmissions. And with modern electronics nd hybrids, whatever you get in the showroom is essentially the endpoint of development rather than the starting point of making a car more personal and fun. This one is a clean break.

I really like the idea of electric motors on all wheels. Motors are inherently more amenable to tweaking and modification, like motors with more turns for us performance freaks, or controls for the range-sensitive. THis is a HUGE step in the right direction for a new generation of fun vehicles. Not available to most of us, of course, but once Audi develops it in the 75K price point, the technology can make its way into Fords, Chevies, and Dodges. How about a coupe/replacement for the Mustang with a motor at all 4 wheels, with the ability to tweak the programming of the motors for pulling through corners or all-out acceleration-- and chageable on the fly!

Assuming no wheel hub motors due to the unsprung weight, the 4 motor design should give near-perfect active torque distribution, which means optimum traction and handling. Audi says the batteries have a working capacity of 42.5 KWH; the energy equivalent of 1.2 gallons of gas to go 154 miles, so the typical EV efficiency is there. The F-22 of EVs.

Also wonder if the ability to control a motor connected to each wheel could possibly eliminate the need for disc brakes? Slow down by gradually applying reverse power? Would be nice do away with brake dust.

In addition, the whole control system becomes programmable. To me it is the ideal system - I have been waiting for something like this.

Yuk

This car has four axles?

A range of 154 miles . . . HHMMMMM. I can hardly wait.