Did you know that the Audi E-Tron is the best-selling car of any kind in Norway and the second best-selling car in the Netherlands? It is accepted pretty well in this part of the world, too. In fact, New Zealand’s government uses it as an official vehicle.
The E-Tron is a mid-size luxury SUV, designed to compete not only with electric cars like Tesla Model X but against traditional luxury mid-size SUVs with internal combustion and hybrid powertrains. Unlike most electric vehicles, it doesn't sacrifice interior quality and overall refinement, which have always been Audi's strongest points.
The First Generation of the Audi E-Tron
Audi started with the development of electric powertrains over a decade ago, and the first vehicle with such a drivetrain was the 2015 Audi E-Tron Quattro Concept, which was presented in Frankfurt. This concept showed all kinds of new technologies, and it was just a matter of time when a production version would come.
The production model, called Audi E-Tron, was unveiled in 2018 in San Francisco. The official debut followed in the same year at the Paris Motor Show. The first customer received his unit in March 2019, while the Australian model arrived in 2020. The base Audi E-Tron price in Australia was $137,100.
Design and Features: What People Like about the E-Tron
The Audi E-Tron is a mid-size luxury crossover, which features 2,928mm in wheelbase and 4,901 millimetres in total length. What most people like about it is that it doesn't show off its all-electric nature, which is usually the case with battery-electric cars. Instead, it follows the brand's familiar design language and doesn't look notably different from similarly-sized models like Q7 and Q8.
Unlike newer electric cars from the VW Group (VW ID.3, Audi Q4 e-Tron, Skoda Enyaq), this model isn't based on the new MEB platform. Instead, it sits on the familiar MLB architecture, predominately used for cars with internal combustion engines.
It’s no wonder that many parts are shared with similarly sized models like Audi Q7 or VW Touareg. This mainly refers to the suspension setup, as the E-Tron also features adjustable air suspension.
Audi E-Tron Dimensions
- Wheelbase: 2928mm
- Length: 4901mm
- Width: 1935mm
- Height: 1618mm
- Ground Clearance: 172mm
- Turning circle: 12.2m
- Weight: 2300-2500kg
Audi E-Tron Performance
Although it also wears the legendary Quattro badge, this crossover doesn't have too much in common with the models above regarding drivetrain. This is an electric Quattro system, which doesn't include Torsen differential and similar parts. It comes with two electric motors, one on each axle.
There are two variants: The first one is called 50 Quattro, which comes with a 100-kW electric motor at the front and a 130-kW electric motor on the rear axle. That's enough to provide 0-100km/h acceleration in about 6.8 seconds.
The other is the 55 Quattro, which features a similar setup but with more powerful electric motors. The front unit is good for about 125kW, while the rear motor puts out 140kW. Also, this version features a so-called “Boost Mode”, which increases power to 300kW and 647Nm, which ensures a 0-100km/hr time of 5.7 seconds.
Battery and Range
Two battery options are available with this all-electric crossover. The base 50 Quattro model features a 71-kWh battery pack with 64.7 kilowatts usable. That’s enough to provide a max range between 276 and 336 kilometres (per WLTP), depending on driving style, weather conditions, and other factors.
The Audi E-Tron 55 Quattro features a 95-kWh battery, of which 86.3 kilowatts are usable. With such a capacity, you may count on between 358 and 417 kilometres on a single charge.
This battery was updated in 2020 and now features higher usability (86.5 kilowatts). As a result, the max range is longer and goes between 365 and 436 kilometres.
In ideal conditions, E-Tron is less efficient than Tesla when it comes to distance per kW measurements. However, this all-electric Audi outperforms Tesla and other rivals in cold weather. In temperatures between −6.5 and −4.5 °C (20.3 to 23.9 °F), the range drop is just 10.5%. For comparison, the Tesla Model S's range drops over 30% in cold weather.
Audi E-Tron Sportback
In 2020, the Ingolstadt-based company introduced a new version, called the Audi E-Tron Sportback. The idea was to make this electric SUV more competitive against internal-combustion rivals from Stuttgart and Munich. So, while the standard E-Tron competes with models like GLE and X5, Sportback’s key rivals are models like BMW X6 and Merc GLE Coupe.
Like every other Audi model with the “Sportback” designation, this one also features a sloping roof, which provides that coupe-like look. The height is slightly lower, while the wheelbase, length and width are the same. The Sportback looks more attractive, but it is less practical, considering the smaller boot size and less headroom in the second row.
The sloping roof has another benefit – a lower drag coefficient (0.25 vs. 0.27). In practice, this means that the E-Tron Sportback offers a slightly better max range. According to the WLTP, it goes between 369 to 444 kilometres with the 55 Quattro model (compared to 365 to 436 km of the standard SUV model). The 50 Quattro is pretty much the same as the standard model, with the max range between 276 and 336 kilometres.
Charging
The E-Tron works with a 175-kW charger, with an effective usage of 150 kilowatts. With this fast charger, you can charge 80% of the battery in 30 minutes. In other words, this crossover adds 100km of range every 10 minutes. When the battery is over 80%, the charging rate drops to 82kW but remains over 50kW until fully charged.
If you use a 50-kW charger, the charging rate remains constant, no matter the battery percentage.
Audi E-Tron GT
Do not be confused with the new Audi E-Tron GT. This is a brand-new model, which is coming to Australia in the second half of 2021. Unlike the E-Tron, this model comes as an all-electric sedan, sharing similarities with the Porsche Taycan. The two models share motors and most of the mechanics.
Of course, this model will bring improvements in various aspects regarding efficiency, range and power. The most capable versions will feature a max output of 450kW, with an incredible 0-100km/h time of 2.5 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I charge an Audi E-Tron at a Tesla supercharger?
Tesla uses charger ports that are different from any other carmaker. They are designed especially for Tesla superchargers, and no other electric car can charge at Tesla's stations, including Audi E-Tron.
2. How long does the Audi E-Tron battery last?
A typical lifespan of a battery in an electric car is around 10 years. Audi gives an 8-year or 160,000-km warranty on the E-Tron’s battery, whichever comes first. If you’re buying a new one, you shouldn’t worry about this aspect of the car.
3. Why should I buy an E-Tron?
When you look at the Audi E-Tron price tag, things don’t look all that impressive. Most rivals are faster and offer better autonomy. However, if you care more about essentials, on things like quality and comfort – the E-Tron is an excellent choice.
The first thing that comes to mind is interior quality and general refinement. Unlike most EVs, this crossover doesn’t sacrifice overall quality to provide the best-possible EV performance. While Tesla’s cabins feature poor quality, this one is like in any other Audi – solid as a rock, durable and fully loaded with high-end materials. Also, the ride quality is impressive. You get standard adjustable air suspension, plenty of passenger room in both rows and a full load of advanced tech and safety features.
So, if you wonder if the Audi E-Tron is worth it, we would say – Yes, definitely!
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By Nebojsa Grmusa