Audi to unveil a new e-tron crossover electric vehicle this week, shows first images

Audi is preparing to unveil a new electric vehicle at the Shanghai Auto Show this week and it recently released a series of teaser images and full design sketches of the concept called ‘Audi e-tron Sportback concept’.

The German automaker has used the name “e-tron” for both hybrid and all-electric vehicles in the past and while they have yet to release the specs of this new vehicle, the lack of visible exhaust on the images of the concept leads us to believe that it will be an all-electric vehicle.

Audi released a picture of Marc Lichte, Head of Design, teasing the unveiling of the prototype, but they have also released more revealing images, which shows what could be described as a sport coupé crossover.

Aside from the ridiculously oversized wheels, it looks like a sexy concept EV. Take a look for yourself:

Of course, it’s yet another concept and not a production electric vehicle. It looks like Audi is testing the water for its next e-tron vehicle after the upcoming launch of its first serious entry in the all-electric segment with the e-tron quattro SUV set to be released next year.

Last month, we learned that Audi plans to release an electric sports car and electric compact after the quattro e-tron SUV. The vehicles are all expected to hit the market between 2018 and 2021 – and to be an important part of Volkswagen’s, its parent company, plan to build 2 to 3 million all-electric cars a year and unveil 30 new models by 2025.

The vehicles are likely to leverage the technology developed for the quattro, which is expected to have “310 miles of range” on a 90 kWh battery pack. Though, Audi usually uses NEDC rating for electric vehicle range. Therefore, real-world range or the EPA estimate should be closer to ~275 miles – or comparable to the range of Tesla’s Model X, which is also offered with a 90 kWh pack.

In the meantime, we will likely get a better look at the ‘Audi e-tron Sportback concept’ tomorrow before the Shanghai Auto show opens on Wednesday.