Audi e-tron facelift previewed | CarExpert

Audi has previewed the mid-life replace for its the all-electric e-tron SUV on the E-Cannonball rally occasion in Hamburg, Germany.

The German carmaker isn’t hiding the actual fact this e-tron is a prototype, with “specifically designed camouflage” and enormous, stylised stickers studying ‘prototype’.

Plenty of up to date e-tron prototypes with heavier camouflage have been spied over the past 12 months in each wagon and Sportback ‘coupe SUV’ kinds.

On the entrance of this most up-to-date e-tron prototype, there’s a restyled grille space with a mesh-like design, in addition to a brand new entrance bumper with reworked air curtains.

The refined design tweaks proceed down again with a brand new rear bumper and diffuser.

Though the headlights and tail lights seem like the identical as on the present e-tron, Audi says the prototype has “new lighting improvements”.

It’s unclear what these so-called improvements are at this stage, however one possibility could possibly be digital OLED tail lights like its internal-combustion Q5 sibling.

Autocar reported in November 2021 the larger adjustments will likely be beneath the pores and skin, with the e-tron reportedly getting a bigger battery, an up to date electronics system, and redesigned motors.

These updates might increase vary to as much as 600km per WLTP testing, far past the 336km-436km claims of the present e-tron vary.

These adjustments would handle a key criticism of the present e-tron, and assist maintain it related till its substitute – doubtlessly the Q8 e-tron – arrives round mid-decade.

There have additionally been rumours out of Europe indicating this up to date e-tron could possibly be renamed to the Q8 e-tron earlier than its successor debuts to make its place within the Audi all-electric vary clearer, although Audi has nonetheless been referring to this prototype as simply the e-tron.

The German carmaker already has the e-tron GT sedan which relies on the identical J1 structure because the Porsche Taycan. Its native launch was lately delayed by a month to October 2022.

Audi additionally has the MEB-based This autumn e-tron which is but to be locked in for Australia, although the native arm says it’s engaged on it.

The Q5 e-tron additionally makes use of the MEB platform, nevertheless it’s a mannequin unique to the Chinese language market.

These fashions will quickly be joined by the Q6 e-tron, which is able to share the Premium Platform Electrical platform co-developed by Audi and Porsche with the upcoming Porsche Macan EV.

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