Audi’s e-tron electric vehicle line-up continues to expand but the original e-tron isn’t being ignored.
The e-tron crossover is getting a mid-life update, and was spied testing in the snow. It follows our spy photographer’s capturing of an e-tron Sportback earlier this year.
Up front, the grille area appears to be getting a tweak, while the headlights and front bumper appear to have been restyled.
The sides appear largely unchanged, while down back there look to be changes to the rear bumper disguised by camouflage.
The tail lights don’t seem to have been changed, and feature the same LED signatures. It’s unclear if the e-tron will get the option of digital OLED tail lights like its internal-combustion Q5 sibling.
Audi could use this update to align the e-tron visually with newer electric models like its e-tron GT.
Autocar reports the bigger changes will be under the skin, with the e-tron reportedly getting a larger battery, an updated electronics system, and redesigned electric motors.
These updates could boost range to up to 600km, far beyond the 336-436km claims of the current 50 quattro and 55 quattro variants.
These models use 71kWh and 95kWh batteries, respectively.
These changes would address a key criticism of the current e-tron, and help keep it relevant until its replacement – potentially the Q8 e-tron – arrives around mid-decade.
MORE: Audi Q8 e-tron electric flagship confirmed for production
The e-tron range is growing in Australia in early 2022 to include the high-performance, tri-motor e-tron S in wagon and Sportback body styles.
It produces 370kW of power and a whopping 973Nm of torque – up 70kW and 309Nm on what you get in the most powerful members of the regular e-tron range.
Its 0-100km/h time is a claimed 4.5 seconds, with a 95kWh battery standard and range of between 413km and 418km on the stricter WLTP cycle.
Q4 e-tron Sportback 
Q4 e-tron 
Q5 e-tron 
e-tron S
The e-tron will soon be joined by the slightly smaller Q6 e-tron, which shares the Premium Platform Electric co-developed by Audi and Porsche with the upcoming Porsche Macan EV.
A crossover called the Q5 e-tron has been revealed in China, sharing its MEB architecture with the likes of the Volkswagen ID.4, however that model will be exclusive to the Chinese market.
Finally, the MEB-based Q4 e-tron has already been revealed but has yet to be locked in for Australia, though the local arm says it’s working on it.
MORE: Audi Q4 e-tron: Local arm ‘working on it’
MORE: 2022 Audi Q5 e-tron revealed, not for Australia
MORE: 2022 Audi Q6 e-tron spied
MORE: Everything Audi e-tron
