Audi’s Australian EV strategy starts with e-tron onslaught from 2020

Audi Australia is kicking off its entry into the pure EV market with the local launch of its e-tron and e-tron Sportback in the second half of 2020.

But that’s the tip of an Audi EV iceberg heading towards Australia with the brand stating it will release 20 new full EV and 10 plug-in hybrid models by 2025.

Audi Australia’s corporate communications manager, Shaun Cleary, confirmed to CarsGuide the launch timing of the similarly sized e-tron and e-tron Sportback models, with the latter “being the more ‘design led’ product of the two”.

“They’re our focus because they demonstrate how well Audi can do an EV, and it’s a very significant step for us,” he said.

“The A6, Q5 and other models are already in the hybrid space, and there have been a number of plug-in hybrid models Audi has shown globally. It’s inevitable we’ll bring those to Australia.”

Looking further down the product pipeline, Mr Cleary nominated the e-tron GT concept, Q4 e-tron concept, and PB18 e-tron concept as EV model programs moving towards production.

With motors on the front and rear axles producing a combined 434kW, Audi says the e-tron GT concept will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.5sec. Production is scheduled to start in 2020 at Audi Sport’s Neckarsulm factory (alongside the R8).

Audi says the Q4 e-tron will be its fifth series production electric vehicle, with the SUV also using two electric motors, this time delivering 225kW and the ability to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.3sec.

And as a longer term project, Audi describes the PB18 e-tron concept as the ultimate high-performance sports car, its aluminium, carbon and multi-material composite body housing three electric motors – one driving the front axle and two powering the rear. The latter pair is centrally located, each directly driving one rear wheel.

Combined output is 500kW/830Nm (150kW to the front axle, 350kW to the rear) jumping to 570 kW for short periods, with 0-100 km/h acceleration claimed at a fraction over 2.0sec.