Audi announced the e-Tron at the 2018 Paris Motor Show and sales begin in early 2019. After only four years on the market, the E-Tron GT is preparing for an update. At the same time with the base version, the Sportback version - launched later in 2020 will also be updated. In fact, these will be the last update the electric crossover will receive before being replaced altogether in 2026 by the Q8 e-tron.

Our spy photographers caught both Audi e-tron variants testing on the road in the Alps. The two prototypes were caught both together and individually, and we get a better look at the update the facelift version is going to offer. Changes will be minor, as Audi will only try to keep the car fresh for a few more years. Up front, we will see an updated grille with a design inspired by the recently launched e-Tron GT and a redesigned bumper. In the back, the only noticeable changes are the bumper and the slimmer taillights.

The biggest update should happen under the hood, where rumors suggest Audi will work to improve the batteries. The focus will be to improve their range, but also the charging time. As a reminder, the current e-tron GT is powered by two electric motors, one in the front and one in the back, that generate a total of 335 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque. The model also has an overboost mode that increases output to 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet. The two electric motors get their juice from a 95-kWh battery that offers a range of 218 miles. The model comes with a CCS Combo fast charging port and can get about 80% battery capacity in 30 minutes at a 100-kW fast charger. When using a 150-kW charger, the driver can get 54 miles in 10 minutes.

The facelift e-tron Sportback is expected to debut in late 2022 as a 2023 model. After three years it will be replaced by the Q8 E-Tron - a model that will come with big improvements. It will be built on its own dedicated EV platform, unlike the current models that are built on the same MLB architecture that underpins models like the Volkswagen Touareg and the Bentley Bentayga. We expect this new platform to be the same modular PPE platform that Audi and Porsche developed for large vehicles. While we don't know much about the next Q8 E-tron, we expect it to deliver superior performance and range.