Audi’s upcoming all-electric e-tron quattro SUV spotted testing towing a trailer

Audi’s upcoming all-electric e-tron quattro SUV, which is expected to go into production in 2018, was spotted testing and towing a trailer – giving us a glimpse of the capacity of the vehicle. 

The e-tron quattro, which is expected to be positioned between Audi’s Q5 and Q7 SUVs in terms of size and level of luxury, is going to be the first in a series of new German premium all-electric vehicles to come to market starting next year.

It will set the tone for Tesla’s competition in the segment, which is currently nonexistent in premium all-electric vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW are expected to follow in 2019 and Audi also has 2 other EVs planned for 2019 and 2020, but the e-tron quattro will be the first to hit the roads next year.

Now the vehicle was spotted performance testing in camouflage ahead of its production version launch. PhocarMedia posted a video (embedded below) and here are some stills:

A “310 miles of range” on a 95 kWh battery pack as been previously reported to be the main feature of the e-tron quattro’s powertrain, Audi usually uses NEDC rating for electric vehicle range. Therefore, real-world range or the EPA estimate should be closer to ~275 miles.

It could enable similar performance as Tesla’s Model X, which is currently the only all-electric vehicle with an official towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.

Here’s PhocarMedia’s video:

There are still quite a few unknowns about the e-tron quattro. Audi officials said that the vehicle will be built on the same platform as Porsche’s Mission E, which is due a year later.

Hopefully, it means that it will feature the same 350 kW charging capability promised in the Mission E.

They also haven’t confirmed the price. They have been saying that the e-tron quattro is between Audi Q5 and Audi Q7 in term of size and those vehicles have starting MSRPs of $41,000 and $49,000. If the e-tron quattro is offered around the same price before incentives, it would shake up the market, but it’s unclear at this point.

Even though they haven’t announced the price or confirmed a lot of the specs, Audi started taking reservations with $2,500 deposits for the new electric vehicle in Norway earlier this year.