Audi e-Tron to Start at $76,000

Audi AG unveiled its new e-tron electric crossover vehicle Monday night at an event in San Francisco.

The 2019 model—Audi’s first all-electric vehicle—will be built in Brussels and launch early next year in Europe. U.S. deliveries will follow in the spring with a base price of $75,800.

The Premium Plus trim package starts at $82,800. The First Edition model, which will be limited to 999 units, stickers for $87,700.

Sized between the Q5 and Q7 SUV/crossovers in Audi’s lineup, the e-tron will compete against the Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes EQC and Tesla Model X. In addition to a variety of traditional Audi styling cues, the electric model will feature special badging, a solid, single-frame grille that’s painted silver, aerodynamic wheels and optional orange brake calipers. The tailpipes are replaced by horizontal slats in the rear bumper.

Power comes from a pair of cooled asynchronous electric motors (one at each axle) that produce a combined 355 hp and 414 lb-ft of torque in normal mode. Output can be boosted to 402 hp and 487 lb-ft in one-minute bursts, enabling zero to 60 mph acceleration of 5.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 124 mph.

The e-tron’s 95-kWh lithium-ion battery is the second-largest on the market, trailing only Tesla’s top-of-the-range Model S 100D with a 100-kWh unit. Weighing more than 1,500 lbs, the battery consists of 36 cell modules that are packaged in a 90x64x13-inch module.

Audi estimates the battery will provide a driving range of about 250 miles on Europe’s WLTP cycle. The carmaker aims to increase this to 280 miles after launch. The company plans to add a less expensive variant of the e-tron with a smaller battery in 2020.

As much as 30% of the vehicle’s range is attributed to energy recovery technologies during braking and coasting. The system can be controlled via paddles on the steering wheel, which more directly limit throttle when the driver eases off the accelerator pedal.

The e-tron is capable of both AC and DC charging. A standard 11-kW home charger needs 8.5 hours to fully replenish the battery, while an optional 22-kW unit cuts the time in half.

The car also supports DC fast-charging of up to 150 kW, which Audi says will enable 80% of the battery to be charged in 30 minutes. Buyers in the U.S. will receive 1,000 kWh of free charging over the first four years of ownership through VW’s Electrify America network of charging stations.

The e-tron’s air suspension system can lower ride height by as much as three inches during highway driving to reduce drag. Drivers also can raise the vehicle’s height to increase clearance or to make it easier for passengers to get in and out.

The interior features two large touchscreen displays, an inductive phone charger and an optional front-seat massage function. A standard navigation system points out charging stations along suggested routes.

An optional driver-assistance package includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and parking assist. In select markets, Audi will offer camera systems in place of traditional exterior side mirrors.