(August 6, 2020) HERNDON, Va. — Audi has cut the entry price of its first battery-electric crossover, the e-tron, by $8,800 for the 2021 model year as the Germany luxury brand begins expanding its EV lineup while facing criticism that the e-tron's range is significantly less than rival Tesla. Audi said it would lower the price of the e-tron compact crossover to $66,995 including shipping, from $75,795 for the 2021 model year. The brand lowered the base price by $8,900, but increased the delivery charge year-over-year from $995 to $1,095.

The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback are the first and second fully electric vehicles in the Audi lineup, laddering up to the brand’s commitment to 30 percent of the U.S. model lineup being fully or partially electrified by 2025.

The e-tron lineup also receives a number of technical spec enhancements for improved utility. Through optimized drive system hardware and software adjustments, the 2021 e-tron achieves efficiency improvements resulting in an EPA-estimated range of 222 miles, an increase of 18 miles. Meanwhile, the e-tron Sportback delivers an EPA-estimated range of 218 miles.



As technology progresses, the e-tron lineup has seen its most significant improvements with available battery capacity and efficiency. For a more efficient configuration, thanks to a number of optimizations, the front electric motor is able to be entirely disengaged, dramatically reducing power usage when not needed. Only when the driver demands more power or traction do both motors spring into action, providing the surefootedness of Audi quattro technology and the powerful dynamics Audi is known for.

In addition, the usable amount of the high-voltage battery has increased for the model year 2021 e-tron lineup. The battery in the Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback have a total capacity of 95 kWh and now gives customers access to a net energy figure of 86.5 kWh — almost 3 kWh more than 2019 e-tron model. The energy buffer is designed to help ensure customers enjoy sustained battery performance throughout the life of the vehicle.

Horsepower is rated at 355 increasing to 402 in Boost Mode. Zero to 60 is 5.5 seconds according to Audi.

Enhancing the charging experience are dual charge ports on the driver and passenger side of the vehicles, newly available on the Premium Plus trims of the e-tron and e-tron Sportback.

In response to customer feedback, enhancements have been made to every category for model year 2021 e-tron vehicles for a more accessible and well packaged portfolio. Unique to the e-tron SUV, in addition to the entry Premium trim is the available distinct Convenience Plus Package, featuring the Driver assistance package and Black exterior trim kit including matte black grille, front and rear bumper trim and on the e-tron SUV, matte black roof rails.

The e-tron and newly introduced e-tron Sportback mark the first and second fully electric models in the Audi brand‘s commitment to 30 percent of the U.S. model lineup being fully or partially electrified by 2025. After the introduction of the e-tron SUV in spring 2019, plug-in hybrid derivatives of Audi Q5, A7 and A8 have joined the U.S. lineup. On the EV front, the recently introduced e-tron Sportback is expected to be followed by the fully electric e-tron GT high-performance sport sedan and Audi Q4 e-tron compact SUV.

The e-tron SUVs are manufactured in Audi’s first vehicle assembly plant in Europe certified as carbon-neutral by Belgian testing company Vincotte and represents one of the many steps contributing toward a more sustainable future.