Audi's 2019 e-tron crossover to start at $75,795

SAN FRANCISCO -- When it arrives in U.S. dealerships in the second quarter of next year, the 2019 Audi e-tron will boast a 95-kilowatt-hour battery, standard all-wheel drive and a host of interconnected goodies to make owning Audi's first full-electric vehicle more enjoyable.

What the five-seat premium crossover also will have, though, is the same 0-to-60 time as a 2017 Audi A3 sedan (5.5 seconds) and the lowest top speed (124 mph) of any modern Audi except the 1984 Audi Coupe (116 mph). However, like all electric vehicles, the e-tron will boast almost immediate torque, boosting its sporty feel.

An official range estimate in the U.S. will be available closer to launch next year, an Audi of America spokesman said. However, Audi AG has said the e-tron will boast a range of just under 250 miles, based on the WLTP cycle used in Europe.

The e-tron is among the first in a string of dedicated EVs from European automakers that are taking aim at Tesla Inc. and other startups with Tesla-like ambitions.

The 2019 e-tron will come in two standard trims as well as a special First Edition model limited to 999 vehicles. Pricing starts at $75,795 for the base Premium Plus trim and jumps to $82,795 for the higher Prestige trim level. The First Edition model has a starting price of $87,695. All prices include shipping.

Audi began accepting orders -- along with $1,000 refundable deposits -- Monday. Once customers place an order, Audi says, they will be able to track their vehicle from manufacturing to final delivery. The e-tron is being built by Audi in Brussels.

Audi's first electric crossover employs a pair of cooled asynchronous motors attached to single-stage transmissions to deliver torque to the e-tron's axles. When the crossover is operating at moderate speeds under a light load, power primarily comes from the rear motor and axle, and when it is coasting, both motors operate free of magnetic drag torque, increasing efficiency.

The e-tron recaptures energy to charge the battery as it is coasting as well as during braking, with the driver able to select the amount of energy recovery via paddles on the steering wheel. In its top recovery mode, the e-tron begins to noticeably slow as soon as the driver eases up on the accelerator pedal, allowing the driver to operate the crossover with a single pedal.

Like a traditional high-end Audi quattro system, Audi's electric awd in the e-tron is able to predictively engage the front axle when the driver requests more power than the rear motor can deliver, or during wintry conditions or dynamic cornering. The e-tron also uses its electric brakes to selectively provide torque vectoring, increasing dynamic performance.

The e-tron is able to automatically adjust its ride height up to 3 inches, lowering itself at highway speeds to reduce drag. The body height also can be raised by the driver to increase clearance or to make it easier for passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. When equipped with an optional tow package, the e-tron is rated to tow as much as 4,000 pounds, Audi says, though its battery range would be limited under such a load.

The e-tron's 95-kWh battery pack is thermally controlled for optimum efficiency and comprises 36 cell modules, each about the size of a shoebox. The 396-volt battery pack is roughly 90 inches long, 63.6 inches wide and 13.4 inches high, and it weighs over 1,500 pounds, including the housing pan and crash structures. The battery pack is protected, in part, by a large aluminum plate beneath the vehicle.

The e-tron is capable of both AC and DC charging, including DC fast-charging of up to 150 kW at some high-speed charging stations, enabling up to 80 percent of the battery to be charged in about 30 minutes, Audi says. For home charging, the e-tron will come with a 9.6-kW capsule charger that can be plugged into either a 240-volt or 120-volt outlet. Audi says it will partner with Amazon Home Services for home electric charging installations.

In addition, those who purchase an e-tron will receive 1,000 kWh of free charging over the first four years of ownership through Electrify America's planned U.S. network of 500 charging stations in 40 states and 17 metro areas, Audi says.

Inside the e-tron's cabin, two centrally mounted control touch screens -- one 10.1 inches and the other 8.6 inches -- are used for the infotainment system and cabin controls, while the instrument cluster features a version of Audi's adaptable screen display, allowing a more integrated map with Google Earth images. Notably, the center tunnel includes a standard Audi phone box to allow for inductive cellphone charging.

Interior cargo space is 28.5 cubic feet with the rear seats raised and up to 57 cubic feet with the rear seats lowered. The power tailgate can be opened with a foot gesture if the fob is present.

Four-zone air conditioning is standard on the e-tron, with an option to upgrade to an air-quality package that includes an onboard ionizer and adjustable aromatization. The e-tron's front seats also have an optional massager.

Navigation is standard on the e-tron and comes with a special route planner when paired with Audi's Connect Plus subscription service that offers suggested routes with available charging points. The navigation system considers traffic conditions as well as the battery's current charge and required charging time when calculating arrival time.

An optional driver-assistance package features adaptive cruise assist, helping a driver with accelerating and braking as well as lane-keeping in heavy traffic or at highway speeds. In urban settings, the e-tron has a parking-assist feature to help with both parallel and perpendicular parking.