2019 Audi e-tron SUV unveiled

Audi has taken the wraps off its first all-electric model, the e-tron SUV, revealing a vehicle which promises the practicality and finish of an premium SUV, the convenience of fast-charging and the sports performance of an Audi quattro vehicle.

While headline figures and technology for the 300kW Audi e-tron have been previously reported, the reveal in San Francisco overnight was the first opportunity for Audi to show its entry to the all-electric premium SUV market in the skin.

It is an area which is fast becoming the new battleground for manufacturers as they vie for share in a segment largely occupied by Tesla.

The Jaguar I-PACE arrives in Australia in October, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz EQC was previewed just two weeks ago and this past weekend, BMW revealed images of its own entry, the i-NEXT concept.

Built on Audi’s MLB EVO high-floor SUV platform, the 4.9-metre e-tron shares the same length wheelbase as the China-only long-wheel base Q5.

Designers claim to have created what they call an SUV without compromise. Proportions are enhanced through use of the Audi Q7’s larger 775mm wheels, while a longer, structured rear end offers the benefit of decent luggage room which is also on par with the Q7. In all, there is 600 litres worth of storage in the boot, boosted by an additional 60 litres under the bonnet.

Challenged to make a large and heavy SUV appear lighter, designers have employed clever tactics across both exterior finishes and on the interior.

An almost see-through element on the sides and rear indicates where the battery sits while inside, a floating shifter, ambient lighting and freestanding virtual cockpit contribute to a lighter feel.

The Audi e-tron promises leading technology including the introduction of virtual mirrors, replacing conventional wing mirrors with a digital camera system.

The system was close to a world-first for a production car, however Lexus is now likely to win the race with plans to introduce a similar system on the ES sedan for Japanese buyers in October.

Approved in Europe but awaiting certification in key Audi markets like the US and China, conventional mirrors are replaced with cameras on the e-tron that beam images onto two touchscreen OLED screens situated at the top of the front door panels.

Audi engineers say the benefit to aerodynamic performance will be significant, the introduction of the slim-line cameras contributing 0.05 points towards the e-tron’s impressive drag coefficient of 0.27.

Infotainment technology and driver interfaces are stepped up too. Functions can be controlled via touchscreen and voice control, the latter boosted by online functionality.

Connectivity through the My Audi app will be a key feature for e-tron owners as well, allowing them to check their etron’s state of charge, precondition the cabin heating and cooling and use a journey planning tool to build long distance trips around the availability of chargers.

While the Audi e-tron may not have ultimate bragging rights when it comes to acceleration times – that honour goes to the Jaguar I-PACE — it will offer the fastest charge rate of any electric SUV when it goes on sale.

On a fast-charger, the e-tron’s 95kWh battery will charge at 150kW to 80 per cent capacity in about half an hour.

More affordable home charging solutions that operate at a lower 11kW charge rate will charge the battery in around 8.5 hours.

LED-animated sockets on both sides of the car make the car easier to plug in and although it won’t be available at launch, Audi is currently developing an inductive charging system for use with the e-tron, the vehicle featuring all the hardware required to use the system when it is rolled out.

Already in production and slated to arrive in Australia in early 2019, the 300kW Audi e-tron is powered by two electric motors generating 145kW of power on the rear axle and 120kW on the front.

Additional eight-second bursts of power from an overboost system add 20kW to the rear wheels and 15kW at the front wheels when the vehicle is under hard acceleration.

Plenty of torque is promised, with up to 664Nm on tap.

Meeting the needs of most daily commuters, Audi says it is confident the e-tron will achieve real-world range of about 400km from its 95kWh battery on the WLTP testing cycle.

The Audi’s twin motors are paired with the firm’s adaptive Quattro all-wheel drive system.

In ‘Normal’ mode the vehicle is driven by the rear axle motor only, and the front motor is only introduced when required such as under braking, where the regenerative system looks to maximise energy recovery.

Audi’s driving dynamics are as important in the e-tron as they are in any model, the car-maker says. As such, the e-tron features adaptive driving settings including Sport and Dynamic modes and it has been engineered to consistently perform whether the battery is at full charge or depleted.

Just like a conventional SUV or premium sports sedan, Audi has included adjustable air suspension as standard fitment.

Depending on driving mode, it can be adjusted by up to 76mm, with the ability to lower the vehicle in sports modes and at highway speeds to improve aerodynamics.

Should the e-tron ever need to travel off-road, the suspension will lift by 35mm, with another 15mm available when tackling harder obstacles.

While Mercedes-Benz recently previewed its own electric SUV, the EQC, it is the Audi e-tron which will go on sale first, with production already underway at Audi’s manufacturing facility in Brussels, Belgium.

The first production vehicles will go on sale in Europe before the end of the year and the first cars will arrive into Australia next year.

While Audi is yet to confirm a retail price locally, it is expected that pricing could be as high as $170,000 plus on-road costs – marginally more expensive than the $140,000 Q7 e-tron currently on sale.

SUV buyers keen to go all-electric earlier, and at a better price may opt for the Jaguar I-PACE which goes on sale in Australia in November, with a starting price of $119,000.

What is the Audi e-tron all about?
On sale: 2019
Power: 265kW (boosts to 300kW)
Torque: 660Nm
Battery: 95kWh
Charge rate: 150kW
Length: 4901mm
Width: 1935mm
Height: 1616mm
Wheelbase: 2928mm
Luggage capacity: 660 litres