[Audi E-Tron News]

Quite a few manufacturers are going the electric route and Audi is no different. The German automaker plans to roll out a range of full-electric vehicles under the e-tron badge starting with a crossover, which was recently spied testing in Europe under camouflage.

Audi’s E-Tron Quattro gives us a sneak peek at the body’s plastic cladding, which seems to wrap around the body starting from the bumper before extending to the wheel arches, across its side profile and connecting with its rear bumper. Other uncovered portions of the exterior include slender side mirrors with integrated LED signal lights, a tow ball, and the very visible lack of exhaust system.

Though some design elements do escape our notice, CarScoops says they see a set of roof rails along with a heavily raked rear window, LED taillights and a rakish windscreen.

The E-Tron Quattro’s production is scheduled to start next year at Audi’s plant in Brussels, Belgium, and its powertrain specs still remain a mystery. Perhaps we’ll see the concept’s three electric motors housed inside the Quattro, which combined devliers 496 hp and over 590 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to propel all four wheels from 0-62 mph in just 4.6 seconds before topping out at 130 mph.

Of course when it comes to electric vehicles, range and battery charging speed concerns are near the top of the list in terms of importance. If Audi can deliver the concept’s 310+ mile range and charge time of around 50 minutes, then they may have a new segment leader on their hands.

 

[audifan]

Already I like what i'm seeing and a lot of that has to do with design since from what i'm seeing its looking to be heavily next-generation focused, the front end gives that away. If there's one small layer that will sell people on these E-Tron's it will be design unless non-EV and non-Hybrid models will be getting some similar design cues.

 

[ATron]

I do like what I'm seeing in the headlights, looks like a sharp corner of an LED accent piece in the lamp itself?

 

[audifan]

Yes, much like the concept below which is exactly what I wanted from a headlight design. Even better that it has the proportions and overall design that bring it all together in a way that is unlike anything else on the road.

 

[audifan]

Just thought about this but if these are some next generation headlights that cost like $5000 a set, I fear what insurance rates for one of these will be like. Being first in line to get a new vehicle with cutting edge features isn't always a good thing. It also doesn't help that this is Audi's first hack at an EV, we have no real reference.

 

[audifan]

What do you guys think the rear end will be styled like? Could we see a lighting configuration that's as sleek as the front end? It surely seems to be the only approach they should take, to me anything else would be criminal.