e-tron S

Make
Audi
Segment
SUV

As the German automaker's first-ever fully electric vehicle, the Audi e-tron was an important launch for Audi. With a dual-motor setup generating up to 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft combined enabling the electric SUV to do the 0-62 mph sprint in 5.5 seconds, the standard Audi e-tron is certainly no slouch in the performance department, but it still can't outrun its main rival, the Tesla Model X. Soon, however, the Audi e-tron will be getting a performance boost because Audi Sport is cooking up a hot S version.

Audi announced the e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback back in February, and now a prototype has been spied being put through its paces at the Nurburgring - and it has the Tesla Model X in its sights.

Video footage captured by Automotive Mike shows the Audi e-tron S on the move, and it looks ferociously fast. Camouflage is covering the front and rear to hide some of the electric SUV's aggressive exterior enhancements. Larger air intakes adorn the front fascia and there are also larger brakes than the standard e-tron to provide additional stopping power. Other changes include wider wheels and tires to improve the handling and a redesigned rear diffuser.

Like the original e-tron concept, the e-tron S will add a third electric motor, with the larger electric motor powering the front axle and two smaller motors on the rear axle.

This will increase the peak output to 496 hp and 718 lb-ft of torque. Audi claims this power increase will reduce the 0-62 mph time down to just 4.5 seconds, but it remains to be seen how the driving range will be affected. In the standard Audi e-tron S, a 95-kWh battery pack provides 204 miles of driving range.

We were expecting the Audi e-tron S to debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Since the show was canceled, a reveal later this year seems likely. The Audi e-tron GT is also expected to debut later this year and go on sale in 2021.