audi e-tron quattro

The Audi e-tron 50 Quattro will be the electric crossover's new entry-level model when it launches in Europe next year. All-wheel drive capability comes courtesy of an electric motor for each axle. Together they give the e-tron 50 a total of 230kW of power and 540Nm of torque. Both motors are hooked up to a 71kWh battery pack. According to the WLTP test cycle, the crossover will have a range of 300 kilometres per charge.

Audi's US division has released the EPA-rated driving range for its e-tron quattro SUV ahead of a sales launch in the region next month, and it's not as good as you might expect. Official testing rates the e-tron as being capable of 204mi (328km) per charge, which is significantly behind its key rivals – namely the Jaguar I-Pace (234mi, 376.6km) and Tesla Model X Long Range (295mi, 474.7km).

The countdown to the World Car Finals has begun this week, with a list of 10 finalists announced for the overall title, along with the contenders in five specialist categories. According to the firm, a jury of 86 "distinguished international automotive journalists" selected the finalists by secret ballot, based on their own assessment of the vehicle as part of their professional work. The initial list of 40 models has been shaved to 10 finalists, with representation from around the world.

Mercedes-Benz might have beaten it to a full reveal, but Audi has become the first big-three German luxury manufacturer to put its all-electric SUV into production, announcing the e-tron has officially started rolling off the manufacturing line. The first e-tron quattro – a Catalunya Red example, if we're being precise – left the assembly line in Brussels overnight, ahead of the car's official reveal in San Fransisco on September 17.

Ladies and gentlemen, stop holding your breath: we finally have an official launch date for the first mass-production Audi electric vehicle. Mark down August 30 in your diary, that's when the covers will finally come off the e-tron. It's been teased extensively, and a heavily camouflaged prototype was revealed in Geneva, but the end of August will be the first proper look at the car in production guise.