Audi showcases performance e-bike

The Wörthersee Tour is an annual congregation of Volkswagen enthusiasts in Reifnitz, Austria. The event usually features fan modified cars, restored vintage cars and other cars from the Volkswagen stable along with entertainment programmes. Volkswagen and its subsidiaries usually launch special editions of their cars during the event, and this year they added something different, a prototype cycle.

“As a high performance e-bike for sports and trick cycling, it features the Audi core competences of design, ultra, e-tron and connect.” Wolfgang Egger, Head of Design said. The bike looks dynamic, but is also designed to be functional. All design elements are secondary to the technical features. The airy frame boasts a low centre of gravity and a compact overall volume. In this way, the e- bike is agile. The lithium-ion battery is incorporated into the frame and needs 2.5 hours to fully charge and is easily replaceable. 

The frame and the swinging arm that holds the back wheel are made of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The same material is used for the 26” wheels, which feature broad flat spokes for an optimized transmission of pedal power. The signature Audi LED lights are also present at the front and back of the bike. For extreme tricks and stunts the seat can be lowered to run flush with the frame itself. At the press of a button, the seat then rises up and the biker can adopt a comfortable position. The electric motor is located at the lowest point on the frame and drives the bottom bracket shaft directly. The maximum torque delivered to the rear wheel is 250Nm. The electric motor generates a maximum output of around 3bhp. The complete bike excluding electrical components weighs 11kg.

Cycling modes and other functions can be set using the touchscreen on-bike computer. The computer on the bike can connect to the internet and compare your performance on the bike to others who have the same bike. Each trick performed successfully is then awarded success points, and as the number of points awarded grows, the cyclist receives awards and the challenge level rises, too. Access to social media is also available through the onboard computer.

The cyclist can choose between a total of five cycling modes – pure muscle power, the electric motor alone, or pedaling supported by the electric motor. In the pure mode, the drive power is purely the product of the cyclist’s legs, while in pedelec mode the rider is supported by the electric motor that then makes speeds of up to 80km/h possible and gives you a range of 50-70 kilometres. If you select eGrip, the Audi e-bike Wörthersee runs solely on the electric motor and can reach a top speed of 50km/h. The cyclist then controls forward momentum using a gripshift and can configure the power as desired using the computer.

The bike helps the rider perform tricks too, Audi claims even novices can do pretty difficult looking tricks. An electronic control system supports the rider when performing tricks and back-wheel biking. Different modes can be set using a smartphone or directly on the e-bike – either ’Power Wheelie‘ mode, with adjustable wheelie angle for less skilled bikers or ’Balanced Wheelie‘ mode for sporting challenges. In Balanced Wheelie mode, the electronic control system maintains the rider’s balance, by compensating the biker’s movements forwards or backwards via the electric motor.