The Audi e-Tron SUV Prototype has shown up at the Geneva Motor Show with a layering of “special” camo and the desire to prove its worth as it prepares to engage in a dramatic, real-world testing phase that will cover four continents and a wide range of traffic conditions and weather patterns. There is no word of performance specifications, but those will undoubtedly come to light once all 250 working prototypes complete their 3.1 million mile conquest.

Audi e-Tron Concept vs e-Tron Quattro Concept

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Despite the fact that Audi has released practically zero information about its first all-electric SUV, we have what you really want to know – how much you’ll be let down after the built-up anticipation put into play by the e-Tron Quattro Concept. Truth be told, it doesn’t look good, folks. The e-Tron Prototype doesn’t look bad in the general sense but, in comparison to the Quattro Concept, the prototype is quite a letdown.

Audi took the time to shave away all of the aggressive features that made the Quattro concept attractive. Those aggressive cues up front are gone and replaced by a smoother appearance. The grille doesn’t even have the same 3D effect as the concept or even the recently revealed A6. The lights are shorter and thinner overall, with a flusher appearance. Even the lower lip has been altered to include tiny air intakes and a sizeable air dam – quite possibly the only good addition to come from the concept-to-prototype mutation.

On the other hand, the grille does carry nearly the same presence, however, those chrome louvers now make up the entire surface area of the grille. And, they are accented by six vertical louvers that look a bit out of place compared to traditional Audi products. The big complaint here is that you can actually make out the steel bumper hidden behind the fascia, something that’s tacky and clearly evident.

The side profile, on the other hand, takes a different approach. The upper body and beltline are less muscular than before, as the prototype is observed without the muscular rear haunches and front fenders. The side skirts, actually appear a little beefier and look a little familiar but have a more squared off presence. And, as expected, the prototype does have actual door handles and side view mirrors.

The rear end also sheds some of the defining lines and masculinity. The rear fascia is actually identical, but the insert at the bottom is completely different, probably for aerodynamic purposes. The rear hatch is more relaxed in design without the stout lines around the plate recess. On the plus side, when looking at the prototype from the rear, it doesn’t have that “big booty” look that the concept from 2015 had. The taillights do carry over for the most part but have changed a bit as far as the LED layout goes, but that isn’t something you can really complain about because they do look good on this prototype.

Audi e-Tron Prototype Performance

Audi has yet to announce the e-Tron Prototype’s performance credentials. All we know, as of the time of this writing, is that it has the capability to handle 150 kW charging and that in “under 30 minutes, it’s ready for the next leg of the long journey.” It does have all-wheel drive, but there is no word as to range on a full charge, real-world charging time, horsepower, or torque. The Quattro Concept that it is based on produced 429 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, so expect the prototype to deliver a bit less in production form, probably around 320 horses and 450 pound-feet in base form, giving Audi the ability to offer more powerful versions down the road. Top speed will probably be around 130 mph with the 60-mph sprint coming in about 5 seconds.

When Will the Audi e-Tron Go on Sale?

Audi is promising that the full production version of the e-Tron SUV will go on sale by the end of 2018, which would slate it as a 2019 model. That is, of course, after it completes the aforementioned testing that will have 250 prototype models accumulating more than 3 million miles. That in mind, it should be able to handle temperatures between -4 and +122 degrees F as those are the conditions Audi is aiming to test it in.

References

Audi E-Tron

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Audi E-Tron Quattro.

Read our full review on the 2015 Audi E-Tron Quattro Concept.

Read more Audi news.

Read more Geneva Motor Show news.