WHILE EV-philes were still fawning over the newly released Jaguar I-Pace, rival luxury brand Audi showed its all-electric SUV hand at the Geneva motor show in less-than conventional circumstances.

Instead of a traditional reveal to industry suits within the PalExpo building’s halls, the German carmaker sent a bunch of garishly camouflaged Audi E-tron test vehicles to wow the public on Geneva’s des rues.

They’re powered by three electric motors, (two on the rear axle and one at the front) that combine to produce 320kW, and drive a special electronic quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Audi says the E-tron will travel about 450km between charges, which will take as little as 30 minutes with a fast charger.

The E-tron SUV will be the first of three all-electric Audi models rolling out by 2020, including the four-door Gran Turismo based on the E-tron Sportback concept, and a compact model.