EV of the week - Audi e-Tron

Despite its cybertronic name, Audi e-Tron looks like your average SUV. Now if you want an electric vehicle that isn’t ashamed of being one, last week’s Hyundai Kona EV has a more futuristic mold. Of course, that’s only as far as aesthetics go. Beneath its cool exterior, the electrified Audi has some solid features. 

Audi e-Tron is the first model from the German automaker with an all-electric platform. It was initially unveiled as the ‘quattro’ concept at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. However, it wasn’t until May 2019 that it officially came into production.

In a nutshell, e-Tron is a five-seat electric crossover with four variants – Quattro 50 Technik, Quattro 50 S-Line, Quattro 50 Sport, and Quattro 55. Each is powered by two lithium-ion batteries with a total energy of 71 or 95 kWh. You also get dual electric motors that generate 240 or 300 kW depending on the model. Because of these differences, the range and performance vary across e-Tron variants.

Is the Audi e-Tron any good?

This e-SUV from Audi has plenty of great qualities, from its luxurious design to advanced features. Audi e-Tron also offers a decent range on a single charge, as well as impressive acceleration which can go from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.7 seconds.

However, we featured e-Tron as EV of the Week for two specific reasons. First, is the introduction of the entry-level Quattro 50. Its arrival heralds a more competitively priced line-up. Second, Audi e-Tron is the only all-electric vehicle so far with the highest safety rating from three major safety authorities – the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the coveted EURO New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Exterior

When we said that the e-Tron looks average, we didn’t mean that it doesn’t look good, because it does. We were saying that compared to engine-running vehicles, you won’t be able to tell it’s an electric vehicle. In fact, the geometric digital matrix headlights, along with the wide combination taillight, are the only futuristic elements on Audi e-Tron.

Upfront, it features an octagonal semi-blanked grill, bulging fenders, and Audi’s iconic emblem – all treated in chrome. On the sides are prominent wheel arches, wide rocker panels, upsweeping windows, and a mostly flat roof that drops steeply towards the back.  The rear end, however, feels underwhelming with its lack of chrome finishing.

Overall, the Audi e-Tron has a muscular and sporty design typical of an SUV. But instead of looking like a rugged off-roader, it maintains an air of elegance which is rare for its class. The only feature that seems amiss here is the dynamic wheel rims found on the e-Tron Sportback edition.

Interior

The cabin has a clean and sophisticated layout that wouldn’t look out of place on a higher-end model like Audi Q7. There’s plenty of soft and light-colored materials which, against dark textured panels, help to create a warm and inviting space. Some chrome additions add class to an otherwise bland interior.

The same geometric lines which sculpted the headlights, front bumper and side skirts of the vehicle are mirrored on the dashboard and door armrests. These, combined with the advanced technologies of Audi e-Tron, remind passengers they’re inside an e-vehicle.

Front seats provide adequate back support and are made extra comfortable by their massaging, heating, and cooling features. A large cubby hole is nestled in the center console for storing things you can grab-and-go. Rear seats lack the extras although passengers can take advantage of the spacious headroom and legroom, as well as easy-access climate controls.

Audi’s signature Virtual Cockpit sits behind the wheel. It replaces traditional gauges with a digitized display of the vehicle’s electric drive system, which drivers can configure to their liking. Behind the cubby is not one but two full HD screens – a 10.1-inch upper display and an 8.6-inch lower display. Besides entertainment, their features include:

• MMI Navigation Plus
• E-Tron Route Planner
• Automated payments 

Boot space is quite generous at 605 liters. If you fold the rear seats, this can be expanded by nearly three times to 1,755 liters – more than what you can ever dream of.

As for the ride quality, you can expect it to be quiet and cozy. Even though it lacks active noise cancellation, the combination of underbody shielding, acoustic side glass, and excellent suspensions means that you’re less likely to be bothered by road noise and shaking.

Battery and Performance

Audi e-Tron is sold with different battery capacities and electric motor outputs, resulting in slight variations of performance.

Audi e-Tron Quattro 50 has a smaller battery capacity which allows it to reach 80% capacity in just 30 minutes with a 120 kW charger. Of course, this comes at the expense of a lower range. It also has a less powerful dual-motor setup which produces 308 bhp and 540 Nm of torque. Being the entry level model, the maximum speeds of Quattro 50 are limited to 189 kmph. It also takes longer (6.8 seconds) to get from 0 to 100 kmph.

Audi e-Tron Quattro 55 has a larger battery but its compatibility with a 150 kW outlet means that it can still reach 80% capacity in just 30 minutes. Naturally, it provides more range on a single charge. Quattro 55 also has more powerful motors which churn out 402 bhp and a beastly 664 Nm of torque. It has top speeds of about 200 kmph which allows it to reach 0 to 100 kmph in just 5.7 seconds.

Variant	Battery Capacity	Electric Motor Output	Range	Top Speed	Acceleration (0 to 100 kmph)
Quattro 50 Technik	71 kWh	230 kW	306 km	189 kmph	6.8 seconds
Quattro 50 Sport
Quattro 50 S-Line
Quattro 55	95 kWh	300 kW	370 km	200 kmph	5.7 seconds

What is the range of Audi e-Tron?

It depends on the variant. Audi e-Tron Quattro 50 has a range of about 306 kilometers, while Audi e-Tron Quattro 55 can take you for up to 370 kilometers on a single charge.

Safety

There is no safer e-vehicle than Audi e-Tron. Indeed, the electric SUV has gained multiple recognitions. The most important of which is a 5-star crash test safety rating from Euro NCAP.

Apart from its reinforced body structure, the vehicle itself is packed to the brim with standard safety specs. These include automatic emergency braking, airbags, and a rear view camera just to name a few. However, it also offers other advanced safety and driver assist features such as:

• Active lane control
• Forward collision warning
• Lane departure warning
• Active cruise control

Audi e-Tron is not only designed to prevent collisions and minimize injury among passengers. It also keeps others safe. The front-mounted camera, for example, helps the car identify risks. Should a motorist or pedestrian suddenly cross your path, the front camera will automatically activate the brakes.

Its most noteworthy safety feature, however, is Audi Pre Sense Basic. Moments before impact, it prepares the vehicle to reduce the possibility of serious injuries. As soon as it detects danger, the system will partially close the side windows and sunroof, and activate the pre-tensioners on front seatbelts.

Pricing

The prices of the Audi e-Tron will also vary across the range. Generally, you can expect to pay less for an entry-level Quattro 50. But if you want to get more out of your vehicle, you would have to be willing to spend on a Quattro 55.

How much will the Audi e-Tron cost?

Audi e-Tron is expected to arrive in the Philippines this 2020. There is no news yet with regard to its availability and pricing. However, we can give you an estimate based on global prices. Keep in mind that these estimates are based on current exchange rates, so actual prices can vary at the time of reading.

Variant	Price
Audi e-Tron Quattro 50 Technik	Php 3,554,000
Audi e-Tron Quattro 50 Sport	Php 3,714,500
Audi e-Tron Quattro 50 S-Line	Php 3,958,000
Audi e-Tron Quattro 55	Php 4,246,600

Audi truly outdid itself with the e-Tron Quattro. Its safety features alone make it well-worth its price, but the German automaker didn’t stop there. Instead, they gave us everything we could ask for in an electric SUV – luxurious, yet practically equipped and with above-average range.

Also read: Audi forays into digital auto retailing