Audi confirms production of Model S rival

Audi has given the go-ahead for a four-wheel-drive electric sedan which will have unique styling and performance levels to challenge Tesla’s Model S. Expected to be called A9 e-tron, the new luxury sedan will likely launch in international markets in 2020.

The A9 e-tron will have a range of up to 500km between recharging and is also due to have level four autonomous driving technology – one step up from that used in the new A8, which is set for an international launch next year.

“By 2020, we will have three EVs in the line-up,” said Audi boss Rupert Stadler. “We’ll start with the production version of the e-tron quattro concept car, which will have a range of up to 500km. By 2025, 25 percent of our line-up will be battery-driven models.”

Although Stadler is yet to name the A9 e-tron officially, he describes the big electric sedan as being “as high up as possible, in the A8 segment”. The starting point for the new Audi is the EV platform showcased by the e-tron quattro concept at last year’s Frankfurt motor show. The predominantly aluminium structure differs in design from the one being developed by VW Group sister company Porsche for the production version of its Mission E concept car, which is also due to go on sale in international markets by the end of the decade.

Further similarities between the Q6 e-tron and A9 e-tron are expected in the drivetrain. The Q6 e-tron will use three electric motors – one up front, sending drive to the front wheels, and the remaining two at the rear, acting on the rear wheels. In the e-tron quattro concept, the three electric motors produce a combined 434.95hp, with a second, sportier drive mode able to temporarily increase that to 502.87hp and lift peak torque to around 800Nm.

As with the Q6 e-tron, the A9 e-tron will have a large, liquid-cooled 95kWh battery bolted to the floor below the passenger compartment. Along with traditional charging, A9 e-tron owners will be offered an 11kW inductive charging option using Audi’s latest wireless charging technology and an autonomous parking function that will automatically park the car over a charging plate.