Audi Teases Facelifted E-tron Sportback During Winter Testing

Audi is teasing the upcoming facelifted e-Tron Sportback with a set of official photos showing a prototype undergoing cold-weather testing. While the electric SUV has been spotted by our spy photographers on numerous occasions, this is the first time we get to see an official teaser by Audi.

The camouflage wrap is covering the front and rear ends however we can still see the identical Matrix LED headlights and full-LED taillights, and a very similar lower intake on the redesigned front bumper. Changes will likely be focused on the new and mostly covered Singleframe grille, the faux inlets, and trim elements on the rear bumper. Weirdly the prototype has regular mirrors instead of the cameras that are already available as an option in the current e-tron and e-tron Sportback. We also expect new wheel designs and a refreshed color palette, alongside interior upgrades.

Read Also: Facelifted Audi E-Tron Could Be Renamed The Q8 E-Tron

Earlier reports suggest that the biggest update of the facelifted e-tron and e-tron Sportback models is a new battery pack offering an increased range of up to 373 miles (600 km), up from the current models’ 249 miles (400 km). The models will be still based on the old MLB platform, unlike newer electric SUVs from Audi.

The Audi e-tron was introduced in 2018 and the e-tron Sportback followed in 2020 which means that the upcoming 2022 update can be considered as an early facelift for the latter. We should be expecting a full reveal sometime in the coming months, with a market launch before the end of the year.

Despite showing the camouflaged prototype driving on icy roads alongside its predecessor, Audi didn’t mention it once on the press release. Instead, the announcement was focused on VW Group’s winter testing workshop in Northern Sweden, and the special tuning for Audi models in order to offer a distinctive driving experience.

The secret testing grounds in Lapland are called “KALT 1”, with the ice and snow-covered tracks being sealed off by fences to retain its confidentiality. The premises cover more than 3,600 hectares (8,896 acres), including office workplaces, a 440-bed hotel, and 83 km (51.6 miles) long testing grounds. Around 150 Audi employees stay there during the testing season with an all-inclusive package including meals in the hotel restaurant, two exercise rooms, and a hotel bar.

The prototypes are tested on dry and wet roads before being shipped to Sweden for winter testing in ice and snow, in order to calibrate the chassis setup and all of the electronic systems in extreme conditions.