2021 Audi e-tron: What to expect from Ingolstadt's first ever EV for India?

Audi’s first-ever fully-electric production SUV is finally coming to India. The e-tron will be launched in the country on July 22, 2021, and will compete against the likes of Mercedes-Benz EQC and Jaguar i-Pace.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Audi e-tron, along with some of its key highlights:

1. Design & Platform: Unlike other high-end EVs, the e-tron has a rather subdued and conventional appearance. On the design front, it looks remarkably similar to other SUVs in the Audi family. That said, you can easily differentiate it from its ICE counterparts if you pay close attention. For instance, the single-frame grille is finished in ‘platinum grey’ and there are sharp LED-Matrix headlamps, e-tron badges, big 20-inch wheels, and a single light bar at the back. These are some of the key styling elements. And yes, it doesn’t have any exhaust pipes, obviously. Apart from that, in terms of size, the e-tron sits somewhere between the Q5 and Q7. It’s also based on the same MLB evo platform as its ‘Q’ siblings, although the platform has been heavily revised for the electric drivetrain. That said, it’s quite a heavy car – it tips the scales at just under 2,500kgs!
2. Battery Pack & Motors: The Audi e-tron features a 95kW Lithium-ion battery pack, which is mounted low-down on the floor of the car. The battery sends power to two three-phase asynchronous electric motors – one at each axle. The front motor develops 168bhp and 247Nm, while the rear motor is rated at 188bhp and 314Nm. The combined power output stands at 356bhp, along with 561Nm of torque. However, the e-tron gets an extra ‘boost’ of 46bhp and 103Nm for 8 seconds to unleash its maximum performance. In ‘boost mode’, the e-tron accelerates from 0 – 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds. Without the boost, the car takes 6.7 seconds to do the sprint. Audi claims the e-tron will have a range of 400km in the WLTP cycle.
3. Charging: According to Audi, the e-tron’s battery pack can be charged up to 80% of its capacity in 30 minutes, using a 150kW DC public charger. However, it remains to be seen if Audi will offer 150kW chargers in India. The company is likely to opt for 50kW or 100kW public charging points in India. For home charging, a 22kW AC charger will be offered, which can charge the battery pack to 80% in 4.5 hours.
4. Features: The e-tron will be packed to the brim with features, as it’s expected to come to India in a single-trim – the e-tron 55. It’ll get three digital screens – one each for infotainment and climate controls, along with a full-HD Audi Virtual Cockpit driver display. Virtual wing mirrors will be given a miss. A raft of creature comforts will be offered as usual.  
5. Price: Audi is expected to price the e-tron at Rs 1 – 1.2 crore (ex-showroom) in India.

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Mercedes-Benz EQS & Audi A6 e-tron Concept: First Impressions 

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