San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
VOLTAGE VAULT
WHEELS
Audi’s midsize e-tron crossover has a driving range of 204 miles in luxurious tranquility.
Audi took a big step into the EV market with its first battery-powered vehicle, the e-tron, a midsize allwheel-drive crossover. It is in a size segment that so far has few competitors, mostly the Tesla Model X and Jaguar ipace. But others will be on the way. And this summer, Audi will debut the e-tron Sportback, a sedan with a coupelike profile (and more range).
The e-tron’s size makes it family functional with generous cargo capacity, a roomy back seat and Audi’s finesse for creating a luxurious interior. It’s also one of the few EVS that can tow a 4,000-pound trailer.
Its advanced powertrain features an inductive (asynchronous) 355-horsepower dual-motor system (for all-wheel drive) and a large 95 kwh lithium-ion battery pack.
In boost (sport) mode — pedal hard to the floor for a peak of 402 hp — Audi cites 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.5 seconds. That can be an impressive experience, but even with its selectable drive modes for sport and dynamic, the heart of the e-tron is in its comfort level, not its sport tuning.
The bigger the vehicle, the bigger the battery required for adequate range, and the e-tron meets adequate expectations of 204 miles. Consequently, the etron’s curb weight is high at 5,754 pounds.
To compensate for a perceived lowish driving range, Audi went all in for short high-speed charging times at 150kw public chargers. Swipe a credit card and plug in for about 54 miles in 10 minutes or get 163 miles in a half hour. But those fast, Level 3 chargers are still hard to find. In my week’s drive I stopped at an Evgo 50kw public charger with 46 miles of range remaining, and in 20 minutes and $6, I was up to 80 miles of range.
Most owners, Audi says, will opt for the Level 2, 240-volt home charging system, which will fill a depleted battery in nine hours.
Sold in Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels, pricing starts at $75,795, including the $995 freight charge from Brussels, Belgium. The Prestige tester was $85,790, including such extras as driver-assistance technologies, dual pane acoustic glass, full-leather Valcona upholstery with massaging-heated-ventilated front seats and power door closers. But a heated steering wheel is not available.
Buyers will receive the full $7,500 federal tax credit for an electric vehicle, and ownership still qualifies for access to highoccupancy-vehicle lanes.
The driving experience is a voltage vault of on-road tranquility, at least with the Prestige model’s acoustic glass.
There is plenty of power to move the weight and it will feel hefty on moderate acceleration, but the standard adaptive air suspension displaces any sense of burden.
The function of the powertrain takes getting accustomed to. At a stop, the motive system shuts down and does not allow the etron to “creep” forward, as do other EVS or gasoline-powered cars with automatic transmissions. Nosing into a parking slot can be an unfluid stop-and-go procedure. And the driver must remember to activate the threestage regenerative braking by using the steering wheel paddles. But after customer feedback, Audi says it has modified the regen calibration to be stronger and offer more of the “one pedal” feel for 2020.
The midsize cabin capacity is wide enough for the designers to provide ample storage areas, including a rethought center “shift” console with an open top for a quick drop of small items.
It is a digital cabin with Audi’s virtual cockpit (gauge) display specific for e-tron; it includes details for charging, battery, route and infotainment information, including public charging locations.
The large, 10.1-inch horizontal infotainment screen in the center instrument stack is clearly visible in all light conditions and integrates the top-view camera system. Just below is another wide screen (8.8 inches) for climate controls, with large and readable graphics and touch sliders for temp and fan speed. The system works well enough, but it still requires a glance to guide the fingers.
Sightlines are open and headroom is tall at 39.8 inches with the standard panoramic sunroof.
The three-person second row has a slight knees-up position with a maximum of 39.1 inches of legroom (depending on who is up front), although foot clearance is slim when climbing aboard.
Rather than a cold jolt into the great unknown of EV ownership, the e-tron will be familiar to Audi owners and overcompensating in its comfort. While its range might be less than its competitors, those competitors do not have Audi’s finesse for luxury.