As November approaches, we’re starting to get a more detailed idea of what models and concepts will be the subject of big premieres at the upcoming Los Angeles auto show. One of those will be a grand touring version, in concept form, of the new Audi e-tron, a cornerstone of the German automaker’s ambitious electrification plan. The company is aiming to produce 12 models electric models over the next seven years.
For the moment, however, all we have to go on concretely is a photo that Audi Sport division released earlier this year. The talk at the time was of a high-performance electric sedan in development.
Last Monday, during Audi’s official presentation of the 2019 e-tron in San Francisco, automotive website Autoblog reported that a concept of version of the model shown in the March image would be revealed in Los Angeles this November.
Shared platform
Autoblog also reported that the e-tron GT was being developed in partnership with Porsche; what’s more, the platform the GT was being built on is the J1 – the same one that will underpin the upcoming Porsche Taycan electric model, set to go to market next year. If that’s accurate, the e-tron will have an output of over 600 hp, and a battery pack that can be recharged to 80% capacity in just 15 mintues thanks to an 800-volt electrical system.
It’s looking promising
Production of the electric performance model would be handled by specialized firm Böllinger Höfe, located near Audi’s factory in Neckarsulm, Germany. Production is expected to get underway in 2020, which means we can assume that the concept being unveiled in Los Angeles will feature contours that give us a fairly good idea of the eventual real deal.
e-tron SUV
As for the just-revealed e-tron SUV, it’s built on a platform conceived for SUVs, which indicated that several other electric utility models will be developed within the larger Volkswagen Group. The e-tron’s 400-volt electrical system will allow it to reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes.
Over the next few years, a coupe version of the e-tron SUV will also be introduced, as will an electric compact car. The latter could well be a close variant of the future A1, or else of the A3. Two other small electric-powered SUVs should follow, again being developed in partnership with Porsche.
As we mentioned, Audi’s target is to have 12 electrified models on its roster by 2025.
