Audi has previewed the mid-life replace for its the all-electric e-tron SUV on the E-Cannonball rally occasion in Hamburg, Germany.
The German carmaker isn’t hiding the very fact this e-tron is a prototype, with “specifically designed camouflage” and huge, stylised stickers studying ‘prototype’.
Plenty of up to date e-tron prototypes with heavier camouflage have been spied over the past 12 months in each wagon and Sportback ‘coupe SUV’ types.
On the entrance of this most up-to-date e-tron prototype, there’s a restyled grille space with a mesh-like design, in addition to a brand new entrance bumper with reworked air curtains.
The refined design tweaks proceed down again with a brand new rear bumper and diffuser.
Though the headlights and tail lights seem like the identical as on the present e-tron, Audi says the prototype has “new lighting improvements”.
It’s unclear what these so-called improvements are at this stage, however one possibility may very well be digital OLED tail lights like its internal-combustion Q5 sibling.
Autocar reported in November 2021 the larger adjustments will probably be beneath the pores and skin, with the e-tron reportedly getting a bigger battery, an up to date electronics system, and redesigned motors.
These updates might enhance vary to as much as 600km per WLTP testing, far past the 336km-436km claims of the present e-tron vary.
These adjustments would tackle a key criticism of the present e-tron, and assist preserve it related till its substitute – probably the Q8 e-tron – arrives round mid-decade.
There have additionally been rumours out of Europe indicating this up to date e-tron may very well be renamed to the Q8 e-tron earlier than its successor debuts to make its place within the Audi all-electric vary clearer, although Audi has nonetheless been referring to this prototype as simply the e-tron.
The German carmaker already has the e-tron GT sedan which relies on the identical J1 structure because the Porsche Taycan. Its native launch was just lately delayed by a month to October 2022.
Audi additionally has the MEB-based This autumn e-tron which is but to be locked in for Australia, although the native arm says it’s engaged on it.
The Q5 e-tron additionally makes use of the MEB platform, nonetheless it’s a mannequin unique to the Chinese language market.
These fashions will quickly be joined by the Q6 e-tron, which is able to share the Premium Platform Electrical platform co-developed by Audi and Porsche with the upcoming Porsche Macan EV.
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