RECHARGED AMBITION
THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REVOLUTION IS CLOSER THAN EVER, WITH EVEN TOP OF THE LINE SUVs SWITCHING FROM FUEL-POWERED ENGINES. AMONG THEM IS THE AUDI E-TRON, WHICH ABHIK DAS TOOK FOR A SPIN
Audis are really likeable cars, ranking among my personal favourites—my love for them stems from the brilliant mix of technology, performance and classy, understated appeal. An electric amalgamation would encompass all these factors, and that’s exactly what the new Audi e-tron SUV is aiming for. The e-tron borrows much of its underpinnings from the Q5’s MLB evo platform but the dimensions place it among the likes of the Q7 while the styling is closer to that of the Q8. That sporty, low-slung, fast SUV look is on point with current trends. The e-tron gets trick Digital Matrix LED headlights that perform a quick light show upon locking and unlocking the car but I’m sure they’re capable of much more given their projection capability with brighter, longer throw illumination.
‘A bit more’ seems to be the underlying theme for the e-tron. Step inside, and that’s exactly what you get. The cabin is airy and roomy, while the wide dashboard design highlights the sense of width. The dashboard design is updated and is much like the Q8 but you could be left wanting for a bit more when it comes to the trims inside the cabin. A striking new addition is the gear selector, which may not seem intuitive at first, but once used, you’ll appreciate the thought and effort that went into its placement and design. There are screens galore in the cabin, complete with haptic feedback, although a softer press would’ve been ideal, in my opinion. There is space at the front and more at the back with the flat flooring and generous shoulder room, while 660-litres of luggage can be stowed in the boot, easily expandable to nearly three times that number with the rear seats folded down.
The SUV design allows neat packaging of the 95kWh