How Revolutionary is the Audi e-tron Really?
Audi's first production electric vehicle is a sensible and stylish crossover. Is this is the apt compromise between functionality and futurism?
A new chapter for the four-rings of destiny?
Audi has a proud history of automotive innovation. All-wheel drive. Five-cylinder engines. Turbocharging. When other German brands avoided these new technologies, Audi embraced them. Stands to reason, then, that Audi isn't shy of the electric vehicle future. But how much of a game-changer is its first battery-powered SUV, the e-tron?
Looks familiar in profile - and good too
The e-tron does not look that much different in proportion to other Audi mid-sized crossovers. And that is because it rides on a shared MLB platform, also used by gasoline vehicles, instead of a dedicated all-new electric vehicle architecture.
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Heavy but powerful
Powering the e-tron is a 95kWh battery pack. At peak energy dispersion, it manages to spin 402hp from two electric motor, driving all four wheels. Torque is impressive too, with the SUV registering 490 lb-ft. Despite a 5500lb kerb weight, acceleration is swift. The Audi runs 0-60mph in only 5.5 seconds.
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The future is now - with this cabin design
The cabin is a study in attainable futurism. Dual-stack center screens control all infotainment and cabin comfort functions such as climate control. And the driver is fed vehicle information via digital instrumentation pod. What is interesting is the large drive selector sitting on the center console, between the front seats. It has a cushioned structure, which acts as an addition armrest surface for interacting with the touch screen.
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Despite the battery packs - plenty of space in the back
Audi did not wish its first electric vehicle to be an unattainable supercar. The e-tron is a crossover which sits within the usage profile of most families. It also features entirely decent luggage capacity, of 28.5 cu-ft.
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You can order an upgraded styling pack
For those who want an E-Tron with a more dynamic presence, Audi is offering a launch edition version too. It swaps the standard E-Tron's aerodynamic wheels for a more open design and you can option some pretty sportscar-like colors too. It shows that Audi recognizes some of its customers will want the electric vehicle technology, but still yearn for a classic and dynamic exterior styling theme.
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Capable on all-terrain types
What is revolutionary is the e-tron's all-round driving ability. It features a range of 205-miles and you can fully recharge it from a 150kW DC fast charging station in only half an hour. That means that this is an electric crossover that can actually travel onto more adventurous routes, without too much range anxiety.
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In the thin Colorado air - the E-Tron came of age
America played a very important role in validating Audi's revolutionary e-tron. During the final phase of prototype testing, a pair of E-Trons drove up the famed Pikes Peak hill climb route in Colorado. It showed that the SUV had sufficient endurance and performance to power up the steep inclines. This also made an important point: an electric car suffers no performance loss at altitude.
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