Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback to launch in India

The first fully electric cars to don the four-ring badge will hit Indian shores in the coming months.

Audi released a teaser on social media indicating their plans on launching the brand’s first all electric vehicle, the e-tron SUV in India. Not just the e-tron but Audi also plans on launching the e-tron Sportback alongside leaving only the e-tron GT which the company would probably want to save for later gauging the customer response on the SUV duo. The e-tron was showcased in India in 2019 and gathered a fair amount of interest among enthusiasts, existing customers and early adopters for Audi to have considered launching the car here. The exact specifications of the cars haven’t been divulged by Audi India but going by their press release mentioning a “stronger battery”, we’re speculating the 55 quattro variant to be making it to our shores. This variant claims a peak 300kW (402bhp) electrical output with 561Nm of torque from its 95kWh Lithium-ion battery. 0-100kmph is achieved in just 6.6 seconds but that’s unsurprising for a powerful electric vehicle that generates peak torque right from the get go. What is surprising, is achieving that time in a 2.5 tonne SUV which should give you an idea of its performance. The electrical system is capable of a boost function that momentarily sustains peak system output to result in a 5.7 seconds run to 100kmph from a standstill. Of course the quattro badge means permanent all-wheel-drive system and a single-speed gearbox. Air-suspension to handle the rough stuff as well as 5-link front and rear axle with anti-roll bars to keep things sporty in terms of handling. Range is the all important question when it comes to EVs and the 55 quattro trim claims 369-441km according to the WLTP cycle. There is a 230kW trim too, producing nearly as much torque and acceleration figures albeit using a smaller 71.2kWh battery thus limiting its claimed WLTP cycle range between 282-341km.