Audi to launch compact electric SUV

Car manufacturer Audi is planning to launch an electric compact SUV by 2020.

The German automaker is looking to introduce a smaller SUV, which will be in electric form and built on VW’s new MEB platform - a modular architecture designed specifically for electric cars.

The SUV is expected to follow after Audi launches its e-tron quattro SUV in 2018, and its e-tron Sportsback in 2019, which will have the same powertrain.

However, Tesla is also planning to launch its Model Y within the same timeframe, which is also a compact SUV.

Other automakers including Volvo and Ford have similar plans to bring smaller SUVs to the market by 2020.

Audi has also revealed that the firm plans to deliver new hybrids.

Filip Brabec, vice president of product management for Audi of America, told Business Insider that “we are not completely done with the hybrid era and we might see a couple more models in the plug-in arena”.