Audi unveiled its first all-electric model at the Geneva Motor Show today. It’s had a few hybrids over the years - including the Audi A3 and Q7 e-trons - but it’s never had a pure BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). Rather than showing a production model, the Ingolstadt-based automaker unveiled the e-tron Prototype, which was dressed in stylized camouflage that is a distorted digital image of the vehicle’s name.
When the production Audi e-tron eventually debuts, it will be a fully electric SUV ready contend with the very best on the market. There are no official specs for this BEV SUV, but Audi has previously claimed that it will be powered by a trio of electric motors outputting a combined 320kw, while a 0-100kph time of 4.5 seconds and a total electric range of around 500kms is also expected. Audi says that the road-going e-tron will be able to charge at stations with up to 150kw capacity. At that rate, it’s claimed it can charge most of its battery in just 30 minutes.
To fully test the vehicle ahead of its launch, Audi has sent 250 e-trons to all corners of the globe to ensure that its first venture into electric vehicles can withstand extreme temperatures, a key concern for lithium-ion batteries. Those vehicles will have traveled “more than five million test kilometers on four continents”, according to the automaker.
The e-tron is one of the most important cars to come out of Audi in recent years, and it will no doubt shape the future of the company. The actual production car will be revealed later at an event in Brussels in August, with deliveries starting at the end of 2018
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FAQ
Q: What is the Audi e-tron and when was it first revealed?
The Audi e-tron is Audi's first ever fully electric SUV, initially unveiled as a prototype at the Geneva Motor Show before the production version was revealed in Brussels in August 2018.
Q: What are the performance specs of the Audi e-tron?
The Audi e-tron features three electric motors producing a combined 320kW, can accelerate from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds, and offers an electric range of approximately 500km on a single charge.
Q: How fast can the Audi e-tron charge?
The Audi e-tron can charge at stations with up to 150kW capacity, allowing it to charge most of its battery in just 30 minutes under optimal conditions.
Q: What does the Audi e-tron cost in South Africa?
The Audi e-tron pricing in South Africa starts from around R1,800,000 for the base model, making it a premium electric SUV positioned against other luxury electric vehicles.
Q: Is the Audi e-tron worth buying in South Africa?
The Audi e-tron is worth considering if you want cutting-edge electric technology and luxury, but factor in South Africa's limited charging infrastructure and the hefty price tag before making your decision.
Should You Buy It?
The Audi e-tron is a solid maybe if you've got deep pockets and patience. At around R1,800,000, it's not exactly pocket change, but you're getting Audi's first serious crack at electric luxury with proper performance to back it up. The 320kW output and 4.5-second sprint time means it's no slouch, and that 500km range should handle most South African road trips. However, our charging infrastructure still needs some work, so you'll want to plan your routes carefully. If you're looking for the best electric SUV under R2,000,000 in SA and want to be an early adopter of premium EV tech, the e-tron makes sense, just make sure you've got a home charging setup sorted first.
