With the new e-tron, Audi wants to offer par excellence to the Tesla SUV Model X. The Ingolstadt Stromer will be launched next year.
Similar dimensions, similar performance and a slightly cheaper price: Audi wants to compete with the Tesla Model X with the e-tron electric SUV. In 2019 it starts, then the first fully electric Audi starts on the German market.
The SUV, which is located in the luxury class and is around 4,90 meters long, is driven by three electric motors. One electric machine drives the front axle, two more are placed on the rear axle. The total output is 320 kW / 435 hp. 370 kW / 503 hp and a torque of more than 800 Newton meters can be called up for a short time. The standard sprint at 100 km / h should succeed in less than five seconds. At the top, the e-tron drives 200 km / h. A control unit continuously calculates the optimal cooperation of the three electric motors for every driving situation. At low loads, the front axle unit takes over the drive alone.
Those who travel more often at such a speed will probably not even come close to the maximum possible range of 500 kilometers. The energy supply is stored in a battery that has a capacity of 95 kWh and is located between the axles in the floor of the passenger compartment. You can charge both direct and alternating current. According to Audi, a full charge with direct current on a charging station with 150 kilowatts of power will take around 50 minutes.
In the spacious interior with a large loading compartment, the dashboard layout corresponds to that of the current Audi A8. The fully digital instrument carrier remains largely free of buttons and switches. At the center is a 10,1-inch touch display. Before the start, the display is almost invisibly inserted into a black, high-gloss cover. As soon as the car door is opened, the user interface comes to life. While the infotainment system is controlled by finger pressure on the large screen, the automatic climate control and other comfort functions are accessed via a second display on the console of the center tunnel.
As the first production car, the Audi e-tron can also be ordered with cameras instead of the exterior mirrors. The new technology should not only offer advantages in terms of air resistance and design, but also increase driving comfort and safety. The display of the camera image on OLED screens in the door trim adapts to the driving situation and offers special views for the motorway, turning and maneuvering. The driver can also zoom in and out.
The base Audi’s first electric car will be priced at around 80.000 euros. A Model X from Tesla costs at least 98.000 euros. With a battery similar in size to that in the e-tron, 115.000 euros are due. So far, however, the e-tron can only be reserved for a deposit of 2.000 euros.