Inner calm

The house lights are dimmed and not a sound can be heard. The spotlight hits the stage at the Royal Danish Playhouse in Copenhagen and there it is – the Audi e-tron prototype.

Still masked by its specially created e-tron camouflage, it occupies centre stage at an event to show off the vehicle’s interior for the first time as anticipation mounts over the coming launch of Audi’s first full-size, fully-electric SUV later this year.

The significance of the location will not be lost on connoisseurs of concert sound, given the e-tron prototype’s credentials as the perfect place to be to listen to music in its whisper quiet cabin – boasting all of the attributes of this, one of the great concert halls.

With its combination of electric drive and a comfortable, sophisticated interior, the Audi e-tron prototype creates a new sense of mobility. Especially when driving in the city, it radiates an almost perfect sense of calm. The only sounds are from its tyres and the gentle hum of the electric motors. And while acoustic comfort is one of the strengths of all Audi models, the Audi e-tron prototype takes it to new levels. Its body has special soundproofing and sealing in all zones that could transmit noise interference, and wind noise, which dominates the acoustic perception at speeds from around 85km/h, can barely be heard.

It is whisper quiet, and like a concert hall, the electric SUV also offers a pure sound experience, pampering its driver and the passengers not only with its superior sound damping and the absence of a combustion engine but with the optional 3D sound of the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System. This renowned system reproduces the music precisely how it was recorded – without any artificial effects. All thanks to 16 loudspeakers and an amplifier delivering up to 705 watts of power. 

The interior of the e-tron prototype is characterised by space, with ample room for five occupants and their luggage. In the rear, a flat plateau – rather than the centre tunnel usually found in conventional models – creates additional space, while head room in front and rear as well as knee room in the second seat row are top-class in the full-size SUV segment.

The interior design of the Audi e-tron prototype forms a large sweeping arc, wrapping around and enveloping the extensive instrument panel with pronounced horizontal lines and connecting the  sculpted door trims. It incorporates the hood above the standard Audi virtual cockpit, as well as the displays of the optional virtual exterior mirrors which are making their world premiere in the volume-production version of the Audi e-tron prototype, taking in-car digitisation to a whole new level. 

The virtual exterior mirrors not only provide a new technology experience, but also a raft of practical benefits in terms of comfort and safety. Their flat support integrates a small camera whose image is digitally processed and shown on high-contrast 7-inch OLED displays in the interior. The driver can enter different settings using the touchscreen function, as well as move the image detail, providing the required field of vision. The user can also zoom in and out of the image and choose from three views in the MMI system for different situations – be it highway driving, turning or parking.
In every equipment line, the interior of the Audi e-tron prototype presents carefully co-ordinated upholstery materials, colours and inlays. Whether refined Valcona leather or dark brushed aluminium for a sporty look, the electric SUV meets the highest quality standards in terms of craftsmanship and choice of materials. The stitching on the seats creates a motif reminiscent of electric circuit boards. As an option, contrasting stitching and piping in orange stand out brightly – taking their cue from the high-voltage electrical system. The optional contour/ambient lighting package illuminates the surfaces subtly and traces precisely the interior’s basic lines. The e-tron badge in the instrument panel is also backlit.