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RICH Audi fans can take a £1,000 gamble on the Tesla-rivalling electric SUV.

The German maker is taking deposits for its new "e-tron" model before its even been revealed.

Deposits are now open for the new Audi electric SUV. Pictured, a prototype
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Deposits are now open for the new Audi electric SUV. Pictured, a prototype

Wealthy wannabe owners can splash the cash despite these camouflaged prototypes being the only images of what it'll look like.

In fact, the Audi e-tron - which will take on the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace - won't get a full reveal until later this year.

And people leaving deposits don't even have the final price confirmed or a date for delivery.

The £1,000 down payment does get you in a "Priority Order Members Club" which means invitations to special preview events and opportunities to enter exclusive competitions - plus first dibs on ordering the production-ready model.

Wannabe buyers can drop £1,000 on the car - despite not knowing what it'll look like or cost
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Wannabe buyers can drop £1,000 on the car - despite not knowing what it'll look like or cost

Fortunately if it turns out the car is too pricey you can say "no" and get your deposit back.

If you go ahead, the £1,000 will be taken off the list price.

The prototypes do give us an idea of what it'll look like - expect a more coupe-style rear-end compared to current Audi "Q" SUVs.

There will likely be driverless tech on-board and a "virtual cockpit" carried over from the space-age A8 revealed last year.

These prototypes are only a hint at the new model due to be released later this year
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These prototypes are only a hint at the new model due to be released later this year

Range is likely to be around 300 miles on a single charge with a 0-60mph time to match Tesla's 4.5 seconds.

Fast charging will be offered letting you top up in just 30 minutes - just like the £60,000 Jaguar I-Pace.

New Audi is a rival for Tesla Model X
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New Audi is a rival for Tesla Model X

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The e-tron SUV will be joined by an all-electric four-door GT and a compact car by 2020.

For now, 250 of the Audi e-tron prototypes will cover more than three million miles across four continents for 85,000 hours of testing.

This includes cold-weather testing in Scandinavia, the heat of Africa, congested cities in China and the relentless "Green Hell" of the Nurburgring.

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