There are only a few days left for the Shanghai Motor Show to open its doors. Audi has lifted the veil a little more on the e-tron Sportback Concept and it's not what we expected.
Contrary to what we predict after the publication of the first teaser, this new concept is not a preview of the crossover e-tron, a 100% electric model, which will hit the market next year. The e-tron Sportback Concept reveals itself as something different.
From the images provided by Audi, this new concept is a mix between a coupé-style bodywork, despite the presence of two side doors, and an SUV. In other words, it will be closer to models like the BMW X6 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé. However, it does not seem to have the massive volume of these examples. The Sportback name provides more clues as to what the new concept might look like.
Despite the futuristic details and SUV genes we can see, the e-tron Sportback Concept may well be the first glimpse of the potential successor to the Audi A7 Sportback, or a future more dynamic-purpose variant of the future production e-tron. The images provided reveal general outlines similar to those of the current A7.
As a concept, there is space to explore the most varied paths. Not only does it take on a more adventurous side, it is also exclusively electric. It is this electrical aspect that justifies the different treatment given to the concept's grill. As we can see, it is almost entirely covered, with only small openings for air intake. The hexagonal outline is present, but the grid fill is solid, partially showing a diamond pattern.
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In the images we also see Marc Lichte, Audi's design director. The design language he defined for Audi's future will have its debut in production vehicles in the new A8. So far we've only seen his efforts on concepts like the Prologue or the more recent Q8 and Q8 Sport Concept.
The e-tron Sportback Concept looks like it will bring new ingredients for the visual future of the German brand. Not only does the aforementioned grille stand out, but we can also see the renewed focus on the treatment given to the front and rear optics, which include the Audi logos illuminated at the edges.
The Shanghai Motor Show opens its doors on April 21, where the new Audi concept will be unveiled in its entirety.