Audi e-tron GT teased as Tesla S rival

The Audi e-tron GT is coming, and it looks to be aimed at toppling Tesla’s Model S.

It was revealed during a speech by Audi board of management chair Rupert Stadler at the recent annual press conference.

“You, ladies and gentlemen, will today gain an advance, exclusive and intimate insight into our product planning,” Stadler announced.

“I have brought you a design sketch of an electrifying “must-have.” It’s a car that thrills at first glance, a fully electric gran turismo that stands for a new kind of sportiness – the Audi e-tron GT.”

Audi has previously introduced the e-tron moniker to the Audi R8, in the form of a concept which was intended for production, but ultimately abandoned.

The demise of the R8 e-tron raises the question as to whether this car may be its successor, despite having two extra doors.

Stuttgart-based motoring journalist Greg Kable points out that Audi hasn’t named an R8 successor yet, and this casts doubt over both its future, and that of the Lamborghini Huracán which shares some of its DNA.

A further link, the e-tron GT will be built in the same plant as the R8, Audi Sport’s Böllinger Höfe factory.

“This highly emotive spearhead from Audi Sport is to be produced at our Böllinger Höfe plant near Neckarsulm as of 2020,” says Stadler.

“It proves that electric drive can also deliver high performance. I am sure: This very sporty four-door will certainly have many fans and customers.

“We will lead our high-performance brand Audi Sport into the electric future with models like this.”

Audi’s future is looking more and more electric, proven by the reveal of an e-tron prototype at the Geneva Motor Show, meaning its petrol-powered performance cars could be on their way out.