Audi is within the strategy of creating a mid-cycle replace for its E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback electrical crossovers, and a prototype has simply been noticed.
The prototype is for the up to date E-Tron Sportback, however the adjustments seen right here must also find yourself on the up to date E-Tron.
The E-Tron arrived in 2018 as a 2019 mannequin, with the coupe-like E-Tron Sportback arriving one yr after the common crossover. In Audi custom, we should always see the up to date variations arrive in late 2022 as 2023 fashions.
2023 Audi E-Tron Sportback facelift spy pictures – Photo credit score: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
The prototype factors to vital styling tweaks coming, together with a brand new headlight and grille therapy just like what we see on the brand new 2022 This autumn E-Tron. The entrance and rear fascias additionally seem to function a extra streamlined look, and it’s doable the inner graphic of the taillights will sport a brand new design.
There isn’t a shot of the inside however our photographer claims the prototype was fitted with a brand new infotainment display. Don’t be stunned if the separate screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment within the present E-Tron are merged right into a single huge show for the up to date mannequin.
We must also see some main mechanical mods to assist preserve the E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback aggressive in opposition to a number of the newer competitors.
2023 Audi E-Tron Sportback facelift spy pictures – Photo credit score: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
It’s rumored the autos will obtain new batteries, extra environment friendly electrical motors, and new digital management software program to assist enhance vary. The E-Tron arrived with simply 204 miles of vary as measured by the EPA. Efficiency updates added for 2021 noticed the vary elevated to 222 miles. The mid-cycle replace is predicted to extend the vary nearer to 300 miles. The E-Tron Sportback presently has an EPA-rated vary of 218 miles. It must also obtain one thing nearer to 300 miles with this replace.
Audi was comparatively early amongst established automakers to launch a reputable Tesla rival when it first rolled out the E-Tron. However, to hurry up the gestation, Audi modified a platform initially developed for internal-combustion automobiles, particularly the high-riding model of Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform shared with the Audi Q7 and Q8 and a number of different VW Group crossovers.
The upcoming updates ought to preserve the E-Tron recent till it’s redesigned across the center of the last decade on a devoted electric-vehicle platform, at which level it could be rebranded a Q8 E-Tron. Other Audi EVs due within the coming years embody a Q6 E-Tron, A6 E-Tron, and a manufacturing model of the Grandsphere idea that will simply substitute the A8. And past 2026, Audi will solely introduce EVs.