Audi's First EV Will Be a Tesla Rival
Audi’s first all-electric vehicle might not be a Model S fighter after all.
Instead, it appears that the German automaker will introduce a crossover in 2017 built to challenge the Tesla Model X and it will be Audi’s first mainstream all-electric vehicle.
But first, we’ll see more of Audi’s electrification plans starting with the plug-in hybrid A3 e-tron this year, which will be followed by a hybrid Audi R8 variant next year. According to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler in an interview with Bloomberg, Audi’s first all-electric vehicle is “probably going to be a crossover, but development work is ongoing.”
SEE ALSO: Audi Developing Tesla Model S Fighter
While a sedan to compete with the Model S would make sense for Audi, the crossover market is the one to best in currently so it’s no surprise Audi is opting to go that direction. The Tesla Model X will start deliveries next year, so it’ll have a two-year head start on Audi’s offering.
GALLERY: Audi R8 e-tron
[Source: Automotive News]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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