German maker lifts the veil on its stylish Tesla rival

The electric revolution is on the charge. Audi has revealed its first massproduction electric vehicle, dubbed etron, in San Francisco.

The mid-size electric SUV will compete with the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and recently revealed Mercedes-Benz EQC when it arrives in local showrooms next year.

Audi promises the e-tron will be the first of 12 electric cars that will be unleashed on the market by 2025 covering every major segment. Audi is aiming to have one-third of its sales made up of electrified vehicles by 2025.

The e-tron follows a similar format to its electric rivals. It is powered by two electric motors — one driving each axle for a combined 300kW and 660Nm.

Top speed is limited to 200km/h and it can go from zero to 100km/h in less than six seconds. A 95kWh battery provides the energy to power the two motors and can be recharged in a number of ways.

The most impressive is via one of Audi’s 150kWh equivalent charging direct current (DC) stations. These fast chargers can give the electric car an 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes.

Standard 11kW home charging and optional 22kW charging methods are also available. On a full charge the e-tron’s range is rated at more than 400km.

Energy efficient recuperative brakes can claim back as much as 30 per cent of the e-tron’s range, according to Audi.

The German brand’s tech flagship has been kitted out with digital displays which do away with traditional mirrors. Instead cameras beam an ultra high-definition image on to internal screens located on the driver and passenger doors. The dash is dominated by a large virtual instrument cluster and two stacked displays that control the car’s infotainment and climate functions.

The e-tron features an in-built e-tag and an auto-billing system for use at charging stations along with a route planner that displays appropriate charging points.

Audi has priced the e-tron at €79,900 ($130,000) in Germany, which after taxes and import duties in Australia would see it priced about $150,000 when it goes on sale in 2019.

Production of the e-tron has begun at the maker’s factory in Belgium.