The all-electric Audi e-tron 55 quattro has been spotted in Sydney, as the premium car maker prepares for a launch of its first electric vehicle Down Under.
With specifications and pricing for Australia now out of the bag, Audi is preparing for an official launch of the vehicle later in 2020.
The photos of the Audi e-tron were snapped at Audi’s head office in Sydney, alongside the ABB DC fast charger installed there in preparation for the e-tron’s arrival as revealed by The Driven in April.
The e-tron 55 quattro, which will sell from $146,700 before on-roads, offers a 400km driving range (WLTP) from its 95kWh battery, with 265 maximum power output and 561Nm torqu and a 0-100km/hr sprint in 6.6 seconds with a limited top speed of 200 km/hr.
In boost mode, the e-tron punches more power for up to 8 seconds, topping 300kW of power and 664Nm of torque to reach 100km/hr in 5.7 seconds.
It sits above the “entry-level” e-tron 50 quattro which will sell from $137,700, offering 300km driving range from its 71kWh battery and 230kw maximum power output.
The photos show the e-tron 55 quattro in metallic Navarra Blue and fitted with 20 inch alloys, while interior photos show the e-tron’s plush Milano leather seat upholstery as well the OLED displays in the dash.
Notably, the quattro 55 shown has slimline “virtual mirrors” that instead of actual mirrors, house cameras that project the side view to displays inside the e-tron.
The e-tron 55 and 50 quattro will be joined by the e-tron 55 and 50 quattro Sportback, which will be available from $148,700 for the 50 quattro variant with 230kW motor output and from $157,700 for the 55 quattro variant with 265kW motor output.
Both 55 quattro models now available to order in a “First Edition” variant that costs an extra $10,000 for the e-tron and $12,250 for the e-tron Sportback. All prices exclude dealer delivery and government charges and First deliveries will go to customers in September, says Audi.
All variants come with dual motors, but as if that weren’t enough, Audi has also announced that in 2021 the e-tron will be joined by a tri-motor Audi e-tron S that will have two motors on the rear and a third on the front for extra boost using “S” gear for a delicious 973Nm torque and 370kW power.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.