Audi has pulled the wraps off its new e-tron – a ground-breaking all-electric SUV, which is set to offer a real-world range of 250 miles.
Audi has been using camouflaged prototype models for promotion and testing for some months now, but the car has now been fully revealed at a ceremony in San Francisco.
Known as the e-tron Quattro, it’s one of the most tech-laden cars on the market. As well as six touchscreens, it does away with traditional door mirrors and wing mirrors. Instead, it uses rear-facing cameras mounted to the side of the car, which then project onto two screens on the interior. It also comes with a 360-degree camera and air suspension as standard, too.
Powering the e-tron are two asynchronous electric motors to provide 402bhp and 664Nm of torque – allowing for a 0-60mph sprint time of 5.7 seconds, and a top speed of 124bhp.
It can be charged to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes using a rapid charger, and is the first EV that can be charged using a 150kW unit. Using a home charger, it will take around eight hours to get to the same level.
The styling is slightly more subdued, and it clearly takes design hints from the Q5 SUV at the rear and the range-topping Q8 at the front. Subtle orange details on the sets, brake callipers and badging are the few indications of the e-tron’s intentions.
With its claimed real-world 248-mile range, it has its eyes firmly set on other luxury EVs – including the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and the recently-unveiled Mercedes EQC.
The e-tron is set to spearhead a drive from the German manufacturer to move into electrification. By 2025, the firm will have 12 EVs on sale, with the next one in the line-up set to be the e-tron Sportback.
UK specs have yet to be announced, but prices will start from £70,805 – putting it roughly on par with its aforementioned rivals. Order books are set to open in early 2019, although online deposits can be placed through the Audi website.
