One of Audi’s upcoming electric vehicles could be
built in China by Volkswagen’s joint venture with local automaker SAIC. According to a report from
Sina.com cited by Autonews China, which cites information from within the
company, the Audi Q4 e-tron will be assembled at SAIC-VW’s newly-built EV plant
in Shanghai’s suburban Anting district.
The factory will manufacture vehicles based on
Volkswagen’s MEB all-electric architecture starting in November this year.
Estimated annual production for the facility is up to 300,000 vehicles at full
capacity for the Audi, Skoda, and Volkswagen brands.
The Q4 e-tron will be manufactured in Europe as well
at VW Group’s plant in Zwickau, Germany. The automaker is investing € 1.2
billion in the facility to produce up to 330,000 electric
vehicles a year for the VW, Audi, and Seat brands. The electric SUV will be inspired
by the concept vehicle unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show,
which packed two electric motors delivering a combined 302 hp of
power.
The rear axle-mounted motor produces 201 hp and 310 Nm of torque, while the one up front makes 75 kW (101
hp) and 150 Nm of torque. Thanks to the e-AWD system and the
instant torque it provides, the Q4 e-tron Concept is able to sprint from 0 to
100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed
of 180 km/h.
An 82 kWh battery pack enables the SUV to cover more
than 450 km on a single charge as per the WLTP cycle. The battery
can be charged to 80 percent of its capacity in 30 minutes. The production
model is expected to use the same electric drivetrain as the concept, with
minimal changes.
