Audi’s e-tron Quattro was first shown in concept form at the 2015 Frankfurt auto show. Now, more than a year before its U.S. launch, we get our first glimpse of the all-electric production car, which is making its rounds at Audi’s Ingolstadt home base.Caught with moderate camouflage, we can now see that the e-tron Quattro does not deviate all that far from the 2015 concept.

But we can also see that it will look better. The concept car’s chiseled front grille has made way for a cleaner and more stately face, and both the front and rear are adorned with futuristic LED lights. The crossover proportions remain close to the concept. The roof is somewhat coupe-like, but not too much?Audi wants to leave room for the e-tron Sportback, which will hit the market about one year after this car.
We hear that the interior will be close to the new A8 in concept and execution, and that’s a good thing. It means horizontal lines, multiple touchscreens, and an ultra-futuristic ambience. With the new A8, Audi seeks to establish a leadership position in autonomous-driving technology, and we expect the e-tron Quattro to further expand on the technology.

We will see the final product sometime in 2018, with a U.S. market launch late that year. It will be priced around $80,000, and it won’t be called the Q6 as was initially thought: it will be badged e-tron Quattro. The first versions will be fitted with one electric motor in the front and two in the rear, which, i...