We’re just two weeks away from the official reveal of the battery-electric Audi E-Tron SUV, and the German manufacturer has already begun its production at its Brussels factory.
Audi’s first take on a mass-produced, battery-electric vehicle aims to offer shorter charging times, claiming that 30 minutes at a 150kW quick-charge station will be sufficient for a long-distance trip.
The upcoming Audi E-Tron will feature a 95kWh battery pack and a WLTP driving range of 248.5 miles (400km). The company has also announced that their new EV will come with an advanced energy recuperation system with three different modes, allowing the driver to perform more than 90 percent of all deceleration maneuvers without even touching the brake pedal.
Another standout feature is the option of the virtual door mirrors, which is a first for a series-production car. Audi has replaced the traditional door mirrors with a set of cameras that not only project an image on the door cards but also make the E-Tron more aerodynamically efficient.
“The Audi e-tron is a genuine pioneer,” said Peter Kössler, Member of the Board of Management for Production and Logistics at Audi. “It features innovative technologies such as virtual exterior mirrors and combines traditional Audi qualities in handling and dynamics with technical Vorsprung that goes far beyond the car. Our Brussels plant was comprehensively modernized for the production of the electric car. This is the world’s first certified CO2-neutral mass production in the premium segment.”
The company’s factory in Brussels manages to offset all emissions produced during its operation primarily by using energy from renewable sources and through environmental projects.
Audi will officially reveal the new E-Tron at San Francisco on September 17, so stay tuned.