Hiding in plain sight

Centre stage at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, the Audi e-tron prototype is a thrilling look at a future that is literally around the corner. Indeed, the heavily camouflaged e-tron prototype was just one of the 250 such vehicles currently undergoing rigorous testing around the globe ahead of the introduction of Audi’s first all-electric model at the end of this year.

In the lead up to the Geneva opening, a fleet of these vehicles were out on the road around Geneva, quite literally hiding in plain sight, with the brand encouraging people to photograph the vehicles and send in their pictures – in direct contrast to most manufacturers shunning the cameras of curious onlookers and the automotive press.

The Audi e-tron prototype offers a look at just what will be available at year’s end –  a sporty, full-sized SUV with space for five people as well as plenty of luggage – offering all of the luxury, technology and appointment you would expect of an Audi vehicle. 

The production version of the Audi e-tron prototype will offer significant daily range from its all-electric drive and will be able to fill up on electricity at fast-charging stations with up to 150kW charging capacity, in some cases taking just under 30 minutes to be fully charged. 

In 2020 Audi will have three all-electric vehicles in its product range, with a four-door Gran Turismo – the production version of the Audi e-tron Sportback concept – and a model in the compact segment joining the sporty SUV. The brand will be launching more than 20 electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2025 which will be spread across all segments and concepts.

The production version of the Audi e-tron will be produced at the carbon-neutral plant in Brussels, but ahead of its introduction, extensive testing around the world is well underway. Over the course of the year, nearly 250 Audi e-tron prototypes will complete more than five million kilometres across four continents in a range of extreme conditions.

The vehicles will be tested in all climate zones ranging from below -20 to above +50 degrees Celsius, wracking up 85,000 hours on the road (and off it), in a journey that equates to 125 around the planet. In addition, different charging standards are being tested on proving grounds and in public areas to validate the full range of different charging options that will be available come series production.

An exciting future of e-mobility is fast approaching.