Audi has confirmed production of its e-tron Sportback will start at its Brussels plant in 2019, marking its second electric car.

The Audi e-tron Sportback is based on the concept shown at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.

The new model will be produced alongside the Model X-rivalling e-tron electric SUV, which launches in 2018, and follows a move by Audi to re-allocate its factories to shift SUV production around.

“With the decision on the Audi e-tron Sportback, we are showing that Audi takes the issue of electric mobility seriously. A second battery-electric model will lead to optimal capacity utilisation at our plant in Brussels,” said Hubert Waltl, Audi’s board member for production and logistics.

The new e-tron Sportback is based on the four-door gran turismo concept unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, which showcased the carmaker’s new electric drive set-up, with one electric motor on the front axle and two on the rear powering all four wheels, giving power of 429bhp rising to 496bhp in the boost mode. The concept offers a0 to 62mph time of 4.5 seconds and a range in excess of 310 miles.

Audi is also due to launch another EV before the end of the decade under its plans to launch one EV a year from 2018.

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