Audi e-tron electric SUV arrives to take on the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC

Audi e-tron electric SUV arrives

The Audi e-tron – Audi’s electric SUV – has been officially revealed, ready to take on the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC in the premium electric SUV market.

You’d have to have been living in a cave all year to find the (delayed) reveal of the new Audi e-tron electric SUV a surprise. And assuming you haven’t been living in a cave since last Christmas, you won’t be at all surprised by how the e-tron looks, or what it does.

But now the Audi e-tron is officially revealed we can at least properly look at it and what it has to offer.

Looking very much like a conventional Audi SUV, with titivations, you also won’t be surprised to learn the e-tron sits between the Audi Q5 and Q6 in size. It was, after all, going to be the Audi A6 until Audi decided e-tron was more standout.

The e-tron comes with a pair of electric motors – one at the front and one at the back – delivering 356bhp, but with a ‘boost’ output of 402bhp for up to 10 seconds if needed. That’s enough for 0-62mph in under six seconds and a top speed of 124mph.

Audi say the e-tron’s range will be around 250 miles, helped by clever tech that uses throttle and brake inputs to decide how to slow the car using a combination of brakes and motors to regenerate the maximum energy, helping maintain charge in the 95kWh battery pack.

When the electrickery does run low, the e-tron can be charged using a 150kW DC charger, with an 80 per cent charge achievable in just 30 minutes.

Interior of the Audi e-tron electric SUV

The Audi e-tron’s interior is typically Audi

Inside is very Audi SUV, with room for five and their stuff – including space in the ‘Frunk’ – with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit as standard, and cameras feeding images to small screens in the door panels instead of mirrors.

It’s all actually very conventional in terms of looks and feel, with the clever electric stuff not being presented as something mad and futuristic you need to get your head round. Which is very good; it is, to all intents and purposes, and ‘Audi Q6’ which just happens to have an electric powertrain.

Audi hasn’t revealed UK prices for the e-tron yet (in the US it starts at $75k), but the e-tron is expected to arrive in the UK in spring 2019, with a choice of a couple of trim levels and a ‘First Edition’ model.

Let battle commence with the Mercedes EQC and Jaguar I-Pace.