2021 Audi e-tron GT: The Porsche-Based Audi EV Sports Car

What It Is: This week, outgoing Audi Sport chief Stephan Winkelmann confirmed that Audi Sport—the division previously known as Quattro GmbH—will launch a fully electric model by late 2020. Although he failed to provide more details, we know he is talking about a low-slung, powerful four-door EV that shares much with the Porsche Mission E (internal code J1) and developed at Audi Sport, known internally as the e-tron GT.

It is a futuristic hatchback, likely even lower to the ground than our renderings suggest, and ultrapowerful, with the capability to reach 155 mph, or perhaps beyond, for an extended period of time. The e-tron GT will clearly be a member of the e-tron family, but it will be distinctly sportier than the mechanically unrelated e-tron Quattro.

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Why It Matters: No one knows when the world will go electric, but when it does, Audi Sport wants to be prepared. The e-tron GT will combine the agility of an Audi Sport product with the silent power of an electric.

Platform: The e-tron GT shares its platform with the Porsche Mission E; it is a stand-alone, electric-only architecture. In the Porsche, it supposedly boasts fast-charging capability—80 percent battery capacity in 15 minutes—and there’s no reason for the Audi to do otherwise. The platform could migrate to Bentley and Lamborghini as well.

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Powertrains: We expect the fully electric powertrain of the e-tron GT to make around 600 horsepower. There will be multiple single-speed transmissions to deliver torque to both axles.

Competition: Mercedes-AMG GT four-door, Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Tesla Model S, other high-performance electric- or conventionally powered sedans.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The 2021 Audi e-tron GT will make its debut in late 2020. Pricing is far from being finalized, but expect a price in excess of $100,000.