Production of the Audi e-tron has begun this week, with the German brand preparing for the model’s full unveiling in San Francisco on September 17.
The all-electric SUV will be built at the manufacturer’s Brussels plant, which has become the first CO2-neutral factory for a premium brand by offsetting the emissions produced in production by using energy from renewable sources – such as solar and wind power.
The factory has been revamped to accommodate the new model and now incorporates innovative technology to make production easier, such as driverless transport systems to carry parts to the assembly line.
Patrick Danau, Audi Brussels director, said: “Audi built up numerous competencies in-house for the Audi e-tron and developed both the battery technology and the actual drive system itself. And employees rethought, planned and implemented many stages of production.”
Developed to have more than 300 miles of range on a single charge, the e-tron has an output of 402bhp and can go from 0-60mph in under six seconds – similar performance to that of rivals from Jaguar and Mercedes.
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Peter Kössler, Audi board member for production, said: “The Audi e-tron is a genuine pioneer. “It features innovative technologies such as virtual exterior mirrors and combines traditional Audi qualities in handling and dynamics with technical Vorsprung that goes far beyond the car.
“Our Brussels plant was comprehensively modernised for the production of the electric car. This is the world's first certified CO2-neutral mass production in the premium segment.”
Sales of the e-tron will begin towards the end of 2018, with deliveries expected to start shortly after.
