Our spy photographers had another brush with Audi’s development team in a refreshed e-tron prototype in Sweden where its undergoing cold weather testing. We’ve updated our gallery below with a new batch of spy pictures. [Story updated on 12/14/2021]
Audi’s flagship electric SUV, the e-tron, is up for a facelift in the latter half of 2022 alongside its e-tron Sportback sibling, bringing subtle visual tweaks but important updates on the technical front.
The two different prototypes keep the camouflage wrap on parts of their body that are likely going to change in 2022, while being fitted with small diameter aero-style wheels and snow-tires.
The redesigned front bumper will feature a new Singleframe grille with a honeycomb pattern, and different intakes. The camouflage on front/rear fenders, and side sills, could hint at a new style for the plastic cladding. Headlights and taillights are expected to integrate the latest tech from Audi’s parts bin, while retaining an identical outer shape. Finally, the lower part of the rear bumper will also be tweaked.
See Also: Audi Rolls Out Software Update For 2019/2020MY E-tron SUV, Adds 5 Percent More Range
Since this is a facelift, interior changes will likely be limited to new trim options, updated software, and more ADAS systems fitted as standard. As a reminder, the e-tron was originally unveiled in 2018, followed by the e-tron Sportback in 2020.
The most important changes in the facelifted e-tron will occur under the skin. According to a report from a few months ago, the updated SUV could offer a 373-mile (600 km) range thanks to the adoption of new generation batteries, more efficient electric motors, and an improved energy recuperation system. If this number is confirmed, it will signal a huge improvement over the up to 274 miles (441 km) WLTP range of the current model which is considered to be one of its main weaknesses over the competition.
The e-tron is Audi’s first fully electric production model and probably the last to share the older MLB platform with ICE-powered offerings since newer models will be riding on the MEB (Q4 e-tron, Q5 e-tron) and PPE (Q6 e-tron, A6 e-tron) dedicated electric architectures.
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