Audi has a history of good naming choices, and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system is one of those examples. The automaker aims to repeat the experience by rolling out a full-electric car under the "e-tron" moniker.
Recent reports show that the first all-electric vehicle carrying the Audi brand will sport an e-tron in the name. It is most likely an SUV that takes more than one leaf from the e-tron Quattro concept playbook that the company revealed during the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. As the green SUV rolls out on the streets, the e-tron will purportedly land in sedan and hatchback forms.
Keep in mind that Audi already has already begun placing its e-tron label on its electrified cars.
For example, fans of the brand can purchase the A3 Sportback e-tron. What is more, a limited batch of R8 e-tron vehicles was available. Audi says it will name the new family of 100 percent electric cars with an e-tron badge, but it will maintain the e-tron for partially electric vehicles as well. If you're a bit confused, you're not the only one.
Insiders from the company say that the new lineup will tap into Volkswagen's MEB platform. MEB was targeted toward electric vehicles from the get-go, and it features a scalable system that makes it easy to accommodate everything from small cars to bulgy crossovers. The public first set eyes on MEB in Volkswagen's I.D. concept from Paris.
"This one-of-a-kind concept car signals the Volkswagen brand's entry into a new era," the carmaker points out.
If the tantalizing statement makes you curious, you can read all about I.D.'s technical capabilities in our coverage.
Autocar reports that the SUV, sedan and hatchback all-electic models from Audi will roll out by 2020. This falls in line with the promises of parent company Volkswagen to bring out dozens of electric vehicles in the following years.
Volkswagen's focus on green cars happens as the company is looking to revamp its image as a reliable automaker after the Dieselgate scandal from 2015 continues to dent its reputation.
Rupert Stadler, head of Audi, touts that his enterprise is putting the pedal to the metal to deliver a car that can rival Tesla's own EV vehicle, the Model S.
"I do believe that it makes sense for the Audi brand to be positioned in the top premium segment with this driveline technology," Stadler notes.
