Audi Planning e-tron Version Of Volkswagen’s Electric Up Hatch: Report
The Volkswagen Group is reportedly preparing a new version of its e-Up! light car, this time a premium model for the Audi family. Revealed in March, the Volkswagen e-Up is a new all-electric model in the Up! range (sold here in petrol form on
The Volkswagen Group is reportedly preparing a new version of its e-Up! light car, this time a premium model for the Audi family.
Revealed in March, the Volkswagen e-Up is a new all-electric model in the Up! range (sold here in petrol form only), due for a European sales debut next year.
German website Automobil Produktion reports that while the Audi version - likely part of its e-tron program - will be given a more premium style and fitout, its mechanical package will also get a significant upgrade.
The Audi version will reportedly boost power from 60kW and 210Nm to 87kW and 270Nm, cutting the EV's 0-100km/h time from 14 seconds to a relatively swift 9.3 seconds.
And, while the regular e-up! lists a top speed of 135km/h, the premium version could reportedly reach 150km/h.
The new Audi could also get a larger battery pack, with driving range reportedly increasing from 150 to 200km off one charge.
A power figure for the battery itself is unknown, but it is expected to have a charging time of between 30 minutes and four hours, depending on the charging source.
The Audi version is also expected to feature different styling, a much-improved interior and a more upmarket infotainment system.
The pure-electric drivetrain will join the existing 1.0 litre petrol model and CNG-fuelled Up Eco sold internationally, and is expected to be joined by a plug-in hybrid variant using the diesel-electric XL1’s drivetrain within the next two years.
If reports of an Audi-badged e-Up are accurate, it remains to be seen how the prestige brand would tie the model in with its existing e-tron program.
For now, Audi's experiments with electrified options in the light-car segment have been limited to the A1 'Dual Mode' e-tron concept, featuring a plug-in hybrid system. The brand has yet to confirm plans for a production A1 e-tron.
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