By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(September 21, 2018) SAN FRANCISCO — We first heard about and saw Audi’s all-new first all-electric vehicle when it was introduced at the Frankfurt Germany auto show in the fall of 2015. And now the first production version e-tron was unveiled to the automotive media, over 300 Audi dealers and a number of current Audi customers at the world premier in San Francisco this week.

The market for high-end electric vehicles long dominated by Tesla is suddenly getting crowded with new choices from Mercedes, BMW and the all-new e-tron from Audi. And, just this week, Lucid Motors secured $1 billion in financing from the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund to build a luxury electric sedan.

Built in Brussels, Belgium, production started just two weeks ago and the e-tron will be on sale in Europe in November, and the U.S. in the second quarter of 2019. Audi says initial production volume will be just 200 per day. Audi says dealers have been given the go ahead to begin taking customers with a $1,000 deposit. Price starts at $74,800 for the five-seat all-wheel-drive eTron Quattro Premium Plus trim level.

The up-level Prestige model that adds things like individual massaging seats, power-door closures, Valcona leather seating and more will list at $81,800. Finally, there’s a First Edition model in a dedicated Gray pearl effect paint with 21-inch bi-color black wheels and all-season tires and orange painted brake calipers with a price of $86,700. And while Audi has just given its official launch just a couple of days ago, reservations for the 999 limited First Editions have already been spoken for. Prices do not include the $995 destination and delivery charge.

The e-tron is powered by a 95kWh capacity battery pack with an estimated 248-mile range based on European testing. U.S. testing tends to yield lower numbers so the mileage may change. Audi says the e-Tron will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 124 mph.

Audi has clearly set Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace as competitive targets. The Model X has a sales lead in the market when it first went on sale in September 2015. The Austrian built I-Pace began production six months ago and deliveries are just now starting in Europe with U.S. deliveries beginning in early November.

Mercedes just unveiled its all-new all-electric SUV called the EQC. Similar in size and looks to the existing GLC SUV, the EQC is powered by a 650 kW battery pack with an 80kWh capacity with an estimated range of 222 miles.

Surprisingly, Audi announced that it has partnered with Amazon in two ways. When you order your e-tron you’ll also get the opportunity to order installation of a home electric car charger installed at your home all at a pre-negotiated fixed price. Filip Brabec, VP & Product Management of Audi of America, wouldn’t quote the exact price but did say it essentially will be somewhere in the realm of $1,000 unless the customer has something of a “special case.”

The other feature is Alexa that will be added to the e-tron and integrated right into its dashboard. You’ll be able to facilitate a long list of commands such as questions you would ordinarily ask from your home based Alexa as well as those related specifically to your Audi e-tron, such as charging levels and other information.

One of the really cool features of the e-tron is that conventional outside rearview mirrors can be by the optional virtual exterior mirrors with images displayed on digitally processed high contrast seven-inch OLED screens located inside the front door panels.

And speaking of charging, the e-tron will have the fastest recharging system of any electric vehicle in volume production today with 150kW. Over a ten-year period ending in 2027, Electrify America will invest $2 billion in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure and education programs in the U.S. beginning with an initial network of 500 stations enabling you to drive from coast to coast.

About a year after the initial introduction of the e-tron, Audi says it will add a second body style on top of the e-Tron that is tentatively called the e-tron Sportback.

Within the next 3 – 5 years we expect upwards of approximately 200 new electric cars will be on the market. Competition in all segments will be extremely keen as manufacturers position for their place in the market. For now, the automotive media was not invited to drive the e-tron but once I have the opportunity to spend some time behind the wheel, we’ll be in a better position to tell you how we think it stacks up against the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X.