Audi has officially opened the UK order books for the E-Tron SUV, the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle set to rival cars like the Jaguar I-Pace, the Tesla Model X and the upcoming Mercedes EQC.

Customers can choose between two versions, the base E-Tron and the E-Tron Launch Edition, priced from £71,490 and £82,240 respectively, excluding UK’s £3,500 government grant.

That makes the new E-Tron more expensive than the £58,995 Jaguar I-Pace but cheaper than the £91,650 Tesla Model X, which is available in the UK only in 100D and P100D guises.

The first electric Audi features a 95kWh battery pack mounted under the passenger compartment that feeds two electric motors, one on each axle. The combined output is 402hp (300kW) and 489lb-ft (664Nm) of torque, and the driving range on a full charge is up to 241 miles (387km) according to the latest WLTP standards, while the 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration takes a brisk 5.7 seconds.

Audi claims that the new E-Tron SUV can charge its battery up to 80 percent of its capacity in as little as 30 minutes when hooked up to a 150kW fast charger. There are two charging ports onboard, one in each front wing, for more convenience.

The new Audi E-Tron comes with an adaptive air suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, Audi Virtual Cockpit, Audi Parking System Plus with 360-degree display and rear-view camera, Lane Departure Warning and MMI Navigation Plus as standard. Launch Edition models add 21-inch wheels, the company’s intelligent Matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and cameras instead of the traditional door mirrors, among other.

The Launch Edition also features an exterior black styling pack that includes privacy glass and black detailing on the front grille and window cappings. The interior is dressed in Valcona leather and features a panoramic sunroof.

The first customer deliveries of the new Audi E-Tron in the UK are expected to begin this April.