Audi Starts Taking Deposits for E-tron Electric SUV

Audi has begun taking orders and $1,000 refundable deposits for its 2019 E-tron battery-electric midsize SUV, which will retail for at least $75,795 when it arrives in the middle of 2019, Audi announced.

Audi will announce full powertrain details and fuel economy data for the five-passenger crossover closer to launch. The vehicle's 95-killowatt-per-hour uses 36 cells and feeds electric motors on both axles.

The vehicle can be charged via AC or DC chargers at up to 150 kilowatts, which delivers an 80% charge in 30 minutes. A national charging network being built out by the Volkswagen-operated Electrify America will include 500 fast-chargers in 40 states and 17 metro areas by July of 2019. Customers who purchase the vehicle receive 1,000 killowatt hours of charging at Electrify America sites for four years of ownership.

The E-tron will eventually be available in two trim grades, including Premium Plus and Prestige. A more limited First Edition model will also be available near launch. Pricing has been set at $75,795 for Premium Plus, $82,795 for Prestige, and $87,695 for First Edition. pricing includes a $995 delivery charge.

Dimensions will come at 193 inches long with a 115.1-inch wheelbase. It will offer 28.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, including 57 cubic inches when the seats are folded down.

Handling is improved with all-wheel drive (Quattro) that includes torque vectoring. The vehicle can increase ride height by 3 inches depending on road speed and driving style. It includes an off-road mode that lets the driver raise the vehicle up to 1.4 inches, and the vehicle can adjust it another 0.6 inch.