We’ve spotted more prototypes of Audi‘s sportier E-Tron testing on public roads as well as on the Nurburgring track. We’ve also learned that there’s a strong possibility we could see either the production or a thinly disguised concept of the car making its debut this fall. (Updated 6/5/2019)
Audi introduced the E-Tron last fall and it appears the company is putting the finishing touches on a new performance variant.
Spied undergoing testing on the Nürburgring, the high-performance model has a familiar design with a few subtle changes.
At the front, the prototypes have been equipped with a modified bumper which features angular accents which channel air into larger intakes. They are presumably there to improve cooling of the beefier braking system.
Additional styling changes are limited, but the prototypes have large lightweight alloy wheels that are reportedly wrapped in wider tires. Last but not least, there’s a revised rear bumper and a new diffuser with two fins that protrude from the bottom.
While nothing is official, Audi could have hinted at the car’s powertrain when it unveiled the E-Tron Sportback concept in 2017. The concept had a tri-motor setup with a single electric motor up front and two electric motors out back. At the time, the automaker said the concept “uses a configuration that will also be adopted in future production Audi models with all-electric drive.”
Also Read: 2019 Audi E-Tron Only Has 204 Miles Of Range, 91 Miles Less Than Tesla Model X
If the powertrain does carryover, we can expect the high-performance E-Tron to have a combined output of 429 hp (320 kW / 435 PS) and 496 hp (370 kW / 503 PS) in Boost Mode.
That would be a significant improvement over the standard E-Tron which has two electric motors that produce 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS) and 402 hp (300 kW / 408 PS) in Boost Mode. As a result, we can expect the performance model to be significantly faster than the standard crossover which runs from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.5 seconds.
The production model is slated to be unveiled next year and it could wear either the S or RS moniker.