Audi E-tron GT Flagship EV To Challenge Tesla Model S In 2020, E-tron Quattro Launches This Year
Audi announced this week that it will be launching the e-tron GT in 2020, which will be a performance-oriented, low-slung EV sedan. Solidifying the e-tron GT's performance credentials are the fact that it will be based on the same platform as the Porsche Mission-E. The Mission-E is yet another vehicle that has aspirations of embarrassing the Model S, and has already been seen gallivanting around Europe in prototype form.
"We interpret sportiness very progressively with our fully electric e-tron GT, and this is how we will take our high-performance brand Audi Sport into the future," said Audi chief Rupert Stadler.
In addition to the e-tron GT, Audi also revealed that the production e-tron quattro crossover SUV will debut later this year in Europe priced from €80,000. For comparison, the newly revealed Jaguar I-Pace all-electric crossover starts at €77,850 in Europe and is priced from $69,500 in the United States. The standard bearer Tesla Model X starts at $79,500.
The concept version of the e-tron quattro features three electric motors -- one for the front axle and two for each rear wheel. With their powers combined (cue Captain Planet), the e-tron quattro is said to produce 429 horsepower, or up to 496 horsepower in Boost Mode. The sporty crossover can hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and keep accelerating up to its top speed of 130 miles per hour.
When it comes to the all-important driving range, Audi says that the e-tron quattro can travel up to 310 miles per charge courtesy of its 95-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
