Audi e-tron will be the first electric SUV from the German carmaker in India. Ahead of its official launch, the model has started arriving at dealerships across the country. It will be offered in two body styles – e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback, which are estimated to be priced around Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore (ex-showroom) respectively. At this price point, it will face challenge from the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes-Benz EQC.
The SUV and Sportback versions of the e-tron are based on the heavily modified modular longitudinal platform (MLB evo). However, the latter one has coupe-like sloping roof line and differently designed rear section. Dimensionally, the new Audi electric SUV is between the Q5 and Q7 SUV or sits equivalent to the Q8. Some of its key design elements include Matrix LED headlamps with four horizontal LED DRLs, the signature grille with six vertical slats, pronounced hood, flared wheel arches, split LED taillamps merging by a light bar and a dual-tone rear bumper with grey inserts.
Powertrain setup of the Audi e-tron includes two asynchronous electric motors offering power worth 355bhp and 561Nm of torque. In boost mode, the power and torque figures go up to 408bhp and 664Nm respectively. It’s claimed to go 0 to 100kmph in 6.6 seconds and offer a top speed of 200kmph. The carmaker is working on a more powerful, three-motor variant of the e-tron that will have fully independent rear torque vectoring.
Audi e-tron electric SUV comes with a 95kWh battery pack that promises a range of round 452km on a single charge. It takes 8 and a half hours to get fully charged via a regular power socket. During regenerative braking applications, the e-tron’s battery can recover up to 30% of energy that used to drive the vehicle. It comes with the all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
