Audi E-Tron Coming in Mid-2012 as Lease Only

Audi has been hard at work on it’s E-Tron electric sports car, and it’s paying off, with new plans to deliver the car to market ahead of schedule. According to a report by Car & Driver, the E-Tron will arrive in 2012. The vehicle won’t be for sale, however, but for lease.

Lexus recently announced a lease plan for its LFA supercar to avoid individuals or companies re-selling the vehicle at a profit. We’re sure that’s some of Audi’s motivation, but being a high-priced electric sports car, we’re sure Audi also wants to maintain ownership of all vehicles as the first models will be part of a larger learning experience for the German automaker in the field of EVs. Let’s just hope the Audi lease program isn’t so complicated.

What isn’t clear is what form the E-Tron will take, with Audi debuting the car at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, before showing an updated version at the LA Auto Show, and finally unveiling an all-new and smaller E-tron sports car in Detroit.

GALLERY: Audi E-Tron Unveiling at Detroit Auto Show

GALLERY: Audi E-Tron Unveiling at LA Auto Show

GALLERY: Audi E-Tron Unveiling at Frankfurt Auto Show

[Source: Car & Driver]