FOR the moment, it's a concept designed to raise eyebrows and set hearts racing with desire at motor shows, but you can expect this gorgeous looking grand tourer to set new standards on the roads of Europe in the next couple of years or so.

This sensuous, sexy, four-door coupe is the Audi e-tron GT and it provides yet another pointer to the German brand's electric future, following hard on the heels of the e-tron Sportback, which goes into production next year, and the recently revealed e-tron SUV.

Unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show it is, says Audi, making its debut as a show car - but the company adds that it is set to go into series production in late 2020 with first customer deliveries in early 2021.

To achieve the low slung, sporting looks, the car's 90kWh lithium-ion battery is mounted in the floor between the front and rear axles powering two electric motors which together produce 582bhp to endow the car with scintillating performance.

Power is delivered to the road by an electric, quattro permanent four wheel drive system and Audi is estimating that the e-tron GT will hit 60mph from standstill in less than 3.5 seconds before going on to 124mph in around 12 seconds. Top speed will be regulated to 149mph to maximise the expected single-charge range of 248 miles.

Much of the technology has been developed in conjunction with Porsche which has also collaborated with Audi on the company's premium electric platform which will be the foundation for multiple Audi model families with all-electric drive.

The German company says it will offer twelve cars with all-electric drive by 2025 with a range of models in all its body layouts including Avant and Sportback styles as well as SUVs. The range will cover every relevant market segment from the compact to the full-size, luxury class, says the company.