As see in Driven News' EV special, this is Audi's first full-electric car that you will soon be able to buy.
Audi have confirmed that the e-tron prototype will be followed by a production version due to go on sale in 2019, yet that is merely the tip of an billion dollar push towards electric power.
Audi has informed its shareholder overnight that it aims to sell 800,000 fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids in the year 2025. To do this there will be a new production launches every three weeks, new segments and drive technologies, new organisational structures.
The production version of the e-tron prototype is placed to feature a wide range of charging options, including fast charging up to 150kW that would fill the lithium-ion battery in 30 minutes.
Audi are keeping tight-lipped on specific details about the battery for now, but they will say that it will deliver a range of over 400km in mixed, real-world conditions. Key to this what Audi calls a 'sophisticated thermal management system' for the lithium-ion battery, enabling better range and a charging flexibility.
The electric SUV can also be charged on the move with alternating current at AC chargers, with up to 11kW standard and optionally with 22kW.
It's likely that the battery will supply power to three electric motors - one at the front axle and two in the rear - delivering 320kW of power and 800Nm of torque instantly. The production version is likely to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds.
At 4.88m long, 1.93m wide and 1.54m high, the Audi concept is sized between the Q5 and Q7, with superior aerodynamics then both petrol-powered SUVs.
The Audi e-tron is now available in some markets throughout Europe for as little as a $2000 deposit. Production will take place at Audi's carbon-neutral manufacturing facility in Brussels, Belgium and first deliveries expected before the end of 2019.
Before that, 250 e-tron prototypes are in the process of covering over five million miles on four continents as part of the car’s final testing programme.
“2018 is a key year for Audi with an enormously high speed of change, that will gradually put us back on the offensive,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Rupert Stadler.
“We are approaching the climax of the biggest model fireworks in our company's history and are entering the age of electric mobility with the Audi e-tron.”
This year Audi is rejuvenating and expanding its model portfolio with more than 20 new market launches. By 2020, Audi plans to increase its unit sales in the fullsize segment by about 50 per cent. Before the end of this year two high-end SUVs, the Q8 and the Audi e-tron, will extend the company's offering in the segment.
