Audi e-tron goes into production

The main competitor of the Audi e-tron – the Mercedes EQC – may have debuted two weeks in advance, but it won’t become available until 2019, whereas the e-tron will. According to the latest news from the manufacturer, the series is already in production.

The new all-electric car has a uniquely styled body and is 4,901 mm (16.08 ft.) long, 1,935 mm (6.35 ft.) wide and 1.616 mm (5.3 ft.) tall with a 2,928 mm (9.61 ft.) wheelbase.

One of the killer features of the upcoming Audi e-tron comes in the form of its extremely smooth aerodynamics (drag coefficient: 0.28 Cx).

The car neither has nor needs an actual radiator grille. Instead, there is a decorative pseudo-grille with a small slit in it serving as the only cooling air intake. The rear lights and daytime running lights are made of thin LEDs that are reportedly ideal for consistent, bright illumination.

The passenger space is the familiar Audi fare. There is a digital dashboard, a four-spoke steering wheel, and two center console displays. Another pair of displays is optionally available and provide live feed from the car’s side-mounted cameras. If all goes according to plan, the Audi e-tron might become the world’s first car to get cameras instead of side mirrors.

The gear shifter also sports quite an unusual design. It sits in the center tunnel and looks like a small bulging mound. Gear switching is effected by the means of a freely-moving button on its top.

The 55 quattro trim will ship with two electric motors together capable of 408 hp (304 kW). It will offer a driving range of approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) and be able to sprint 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in less than 6 seconds. Information about other trims is pending.

The assembly takes place at the Audi factory in Belgium. First cars will roll to their respective owners before the end of 2018.

Photo: insideevs.com