Audi has generated a lot of buzz with its new e-tron electric SUV, which is set to rival the Mercedes EQC and upcoming BMW iX3. Though the e-Tron has already been revealed, it will likely be a significant wait before the car actually arrives in U.S. dealerships. Even when it does arrive, the e-tron won't exactly be cheap with a starting price of almost $75,000.
If the e-tron does take a while to go on sale or it's just too expensive, you may want to wait for the rumored Audi Q5 e-tron. According to Autocar, Audi will reveal a new plug-in hybrid version of the Q5 sometime next year and the specs already sound impressive on paper.
Audi's only plug-in hybrid model in the U.S. is the A3 e-tron, which only achieves an all-electric range of 16 miles. The company's next-generation plug-in hybrid technology is expected to provide a greater zero-emission range of around 42 miles. The Q5 e-tron is expected to arrive first with an A6 e-tron and Q3 e-tron to follow. Of course, we don't know how many of these plug-in hybrids will be brought to the US market. With diesel likely being a thing of the past, we wouldn't surprised if Audi starts selling more PHEVs and EVs in their place.
The Q5 e-tron has already been spotted undergoing testing in the US and is expected to be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 188 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque mated to an electric motor adding in 108 hp and 221 lb-ft. The gas engine will drive the front wheels, while the electric motor will send power to the rear, earning the Q5 e-tron its Quattro all-wheel-drive badge. No major changes to the exterior or interior are expected, so the big changes will be under the skin. Audi hasn't announced a reveal date, but expect the Q5 e-tron to debut late in 2018 with an arrival in 2019.
