Audi has unveiled the e-tron – its first pure-electric production car – which is the vanguard of an electric model offensive by the German brand that will see 12 new EVs arrive by 2025.
Having released details of the new SUV in a trickle for months, the details and design of the e-tron are no surprise. As such, the Audi is powered by two electric motors – one on each axle – producing a combined 265 kW (360 hp). There is a boost mode available to increase that to 300 kW temporarily though, good for a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds.
The 95 kWh battery will provide a range of 249 miles on a single charge according to the WLTP tests, which puts it on a par with the recently launched Mercedes Benz EQC and a little behind the Jaguar I-Pace, it’s two key rivals.
Charging is available at speeds of up to 150 kW for a top-up to 80% in half an hour, and the e-tron comes with an 11 kW on-board charger as standard, with the option of a 22 kW charger.
The e-tron is the first production car to offer buyers ‘virtual’ wing mirrors, using cameras instead to display an image in the cabin as to what is behind the car. It’s an optional extra, but improves the Audi’s aerodynamics. Audi has worked hard on the brake energy recuperation system, which is quoted as adding 30% to the car’s range under normal driving.
At the e-tron’s launch in San Francisco, Peter Mertens, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG, said: “The Audi e-tron is definitely a highlight in the history of our company and the starting signal for our electrification strategy.”
Prices for the UK aren’t confirmed yet, but the price in Germany will start at 79,900 euros. That’s a little over £71,000 currently, so grants are likely to bring a UK cost to between £65,000 and £70,000 as a starting price, with deliveries starting next year.