e-tron range

e-tron range is stated at 350-417 km (WLTP). Based on our trips, range could be calculated at 350 km under ideal conditions.

Audi e-tron 55

Posted 28/05/2019 by Terje Bjørnstad

Quattro, air suspension, two electric motors – 408 horses, two and a half ton full-size SUV... Too much?

The Audi e-tron places itself between the Jaguar I-Pace and the Tesla Model X. The I-Pace is a thought smaller and lighter, but equal in terms of luggage space and performance. The Tesla X is larger and more expensive than the others, but has the lowest drag - CW of 0,24. The E-tron has a CW of 0,28 (0,27 with camera mirror). Compared to the Tesla X, the e-tron seems more conventional with a boasting grill, four rings and towering, sharp profiles. That catches wind and steals range, but looks unashamedly good!

Premium feel

As we have previously owned several great Audis, I wanted to take my wife on a trip around the countryside to get her opinion on the new e-tron - the car that "everyone" is looking for. The seats in the e-tron seem larger than in previous models. They automatically push back when you stop the engine to facilitate entry and exit. In addition, the belts tighten when the car is set in motion. Look and feel is as expected, with leather upholstery above the dashboard and alcantara inlays in the doors. The only thing that does not harmonize with the premium feeling is the center console. There is room for charging equipment and mobile phones and such, but when I reach for something, my hand gets stuck in sharp hard plastic.

No weight problems

I am amazed at the high weight. 2490 kg without driver is a lot. It is difficult to find a vehicle with a higher curb weight within what you can drive with a regular B license. It had to be something like Rolls-Royce Ghost. In comparison, the Tesla Model X with 7 seats weighs less than the e-tron.

You notice that the e-tron is heavy on the road - in a positive sense. The center of gravity is obviously low. I know of a couple of places where the road has a bump into the bend. If you come in at a slightly high speed, you get to test the undercarriage. Heavy (and expensive) passenger cars usually go steadily through, while simple cars and vans often end up slightly out of balance. The Audi passed the road test with flying colours. I have seen film clips that show how well the e-tron manages ice. I'm sure that the good weight distribution and the latest Quattro system do everything to keep the car on the road.

Sound pictures

"- We should take a few more trips this summer", it came from the passenger seat. Rolling calmly away in an e-tron on an early summer Saturday evening with the sunroof open gives a real good feeling! Electric cars and sunroofs go well together. It doesn't extend the range, exactly, but how wonderful it is to hear birds chirping as you cruise silently away! In terms of sound, the e-tron is very well dampened from the road. You hear practically nothing from the road and chassis. This means that in return you hear the sound from the electric motors. Around 50 km/h, the electric motor sound can be quite annoying compared to electric cars I drive regularly. When the throttle is lightly applied, there is a screeching sound reminiscent of unsynchronized gears - a sound that does not fit in a premium car. Considering all the work Audi puts into creating good soundscapes, it's funny that this sound has been allowed to dominate. The hissing sound you get from regenerative braking, on the other hand, is like music to my ears.

Large in the garage

It is surprisingly easy to finely maneuver the car in narrow places. You know exactly where the wheels are. Only inside the garage did I notice how huge the e-tron really is. The rangefinders beeped as I concentrated on getting the left mirror past a pillar, at the same time saying a silent prayer that the front would clear the neighbour's Yaris. The Audi e-tron ticked all the boxes for my wife. "Approved" on all points, except one: Parking in narrow parking garages. Admittedly, the camera is shown both front and back - and from above, - and there is driver assistance for hatch parking, - but at the beginning it can probably seem like arriving at the dock with a much too large boat.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. The E-tron is bigger than you think. Therefore, I recommend testing that both you and your better half manage to park in your own garage before possibly signing the contract. I have seen how new Tesla X owners struggle to pry their donning into place.

Cargo

Audi advertises that you can fully charge in half an hour with a 150 KW fast charger. There aren't that many of them at the moment, but they will probably come. The fast chargers in my neighborhood are 50 KW. They fully charge in 80 minutes. Since I wasn't going to use the car until the next day, I put it on charge in our own private 7,2 KW wall charger with T2 cable. The battery level was then at thirty-some percent. After 3 hours, the estimated mileage had increased by a full 12 miles. Not bad! Then you can get by just fine with your own charger on a daily basis. With our wall charger, according to Audi, it takes 12,5 hours to fully charge the batteries.

Regenerative braking

I took a trip to the Sundvollen Hotel where there was a Ford meeting at the weekend. Before I left, I made some useful suggestions. Audi cannot be driven with one pedal. I therefore chose to set regeneration to manually and use the paddles on the steering wheel to determine the degree of artificial engine braking. It worked great. Not only is it fun to drive "eco-actively", but it really takes a toll on consumption. I think the weight of the car helps to collect a lot of energy when braking. It seemed as if the car only used energy on the road up to Sollihøgda. The trip downwards was free, so to speak. After returning to Sandvika, the consumption indicator showed that I had consumed only half of the actual kilometers driven.

If one chooses automatic regeneration, according to Audi, the car should behave like a normal petrol car. The electronics then control regeneration themselves, and I think this is what Audi recommends. If you still continue to use the paddles to set the artificial engine brake, it will cancel itself after a few seconds so that the car's electronics can take over control. To me it seemed like the electronics occasionally braked the engine when it didn't fit. I think the feature works best with adaptive cruise control.

Audi Drive Select

Audi Drive Select allows you to choose the car's behavior on the road. I changed a bit when driving between Comfort, Efficiency og Cars . Basically, there was little difference to notice between them. IN Dynamic steering, throttle and damping are tightened - and the car lowers at motorway speeds to reduce air resistance and increase range. If you shift while the car is stationary, you can clearly notice how the car changes height, for example when choosing between Offroad og Comfort.

Powers galore

There was road work in the tunnels through Vøynenenga. Traffic was thus directed via the old E16 through Skui, with subsequent collection and queue formations. There was no suitable place to test all the 408 horses and the boost effect you get from kickdown in S mode. I found the 360 ordinary horses to be more than enough. I was impressed by how the forces are conveyed to the road. Careless field change during kickdown, gave absolutely no jerks and throws in the car, despite the fact that the power was delivered lightning fast and in cash.

shelby ford f-150 — Shelby Ford F-150 Super Snake Street Truck

When I arrived at the Sundvollen Hotel, there was a break-up atmosphere and rainy weather. I had already met several classic Fords on the way home from the event. Ford meets like this mainly bring together two types of vehicles - old classics and trimmed Focus's. The organiser, RøhneSelmer Asker and Bærum, had exhibited three fat American pickups. My favorite is the Shelby Ford F-150 Super Snake Street Truck. It has the same 5-liter V8 as the Shelby Mustang, 755 HP and lowered. 0-100 goes away in 3,5 seconds! The fees mean that it costs double what the e-tron costs. The funny thing is that even with full tanks, it weighs no more than the e-tron.

Place

Batteries and electric operation have not caused any visible interference with the space conditions. The Audi e-tron is a full-size SUV. Interior space is superb for 5 people. The absence of a center console in the back seat means that the middle passenger gets a decent place. The luggage compartment is 660 litres, divided into 600 liters at the back and 60 liters under the engine compartment at the front. The ordinary luggage compartment is divided into two sections, with the option of placing charging cables and small items in the lower compartment. Trailer coupling is actually standard. It can tow trailers up to 1800 kg, but the trailer weight is then a whopping 4 kg. Roof racks are permitted.

Security

The Audi e-tron has been tested by Euro NCAP in 2019 with a score of 91% for adults and 85% for children. The score itself is on a par with other, modern cars today - nothing more, nothing less. The test's most critical remark is in the event of a severe side pillar crash where passengers on the same side suffered serious rib injuries. The car offered good protection against whiplash injuries, and automatic emergency stop systems worked perfectly. Also remember that NCAP has only tested the car in a collision with objects. In collisions with smaller vehicles along the road, I think those sitting in the big, heavy e-tron have the best cards.

The full report from NCAP

Economy

Audi's first electric car is going to steal customers primarily from Tesla. At the moment, I have the impression that "everyone" is getting the Audi e-tron. It's the same impression I had of Tesla a few years ago. The Audi e-tron will undoubtedly achieve high popularity, which contributes to the fact that the trade-in value will remain relatively good - even considering all the changes that will take place in the electric car market.

Compared to the competitors, and other SUVs from Audi, I think the e-tron's purchase value gives a lot of car for the money. After all, you get plenty of engine power, air suspension with advanced damping program, quattro, towbar etc. Expensive electric cars follow a normal second-hand price curve, something we see for the Teslas. But the Audi e-tron has so far not proven to be error-free, which Tesla has not been either. Owners of e-tron hardly need to fear unforeseen service expenses within the warranty period. The Volkswagen Group has declared that they will go "all in" for electricity. E-tron will be a beacon for the group, which is watched with skeptical eyes. The factory cannot allow the venture to fail, and will expect to do everything possible to keep the customers of e-tron happy.

Conclusion

The battery pack alone weighs approximately 700 kg. If you are also to bring 5 people and luggage, a solid vehicle is required - a large SUV. As a family car, the e-tron does not suffer in any way from being equipped with batteries and electric operation. The space conditions are plentiful. The drivetrain offers plenty of power - and the Quattro system, the chassis and the weight distribution ensure good grip. Plus, you can hook up a proper trailer and ski on the roof. Stated range is 350-417 km (WLTP). Fully charged, "my" car showed a range of 350 km, which is quite realistic. If you install a wall charger in the garage at home (and in the cabin), you almost never need to stop to charge along the way. The Audi e-tron is an ideal family car. On the minus side, it can be pointed out that it is large, heavy and expensive.

Too much? - Nah!

Facts

Drivetrain
2 electric motors at each axle, electronically controlled four-wheel drive.
Power: 360 HP in total. In dynamic driving mode, a boost of 408 HP is given for 8 seconds.
Torque: 664 Nm constant from 0 (under boost).
Transmission system: 1-speed automatic transmission

Performances
0-100: 5,6 seconds
Top speed: 200 km/h

Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 490 cm / 190 cm / 162 cm
Wheelbase: 292 cm
Track width front/rear: 165 cm / 165 cm
Net weight without driver: 2 kg
Payload: 565
Total weight: 3 130 kg
Trailer weight - with brake: 1 kg
– without brake: 750 kg

Range and charging
Range 350-417 km (WLTP)
Range indicator under test: 350 km
Fast charging with 150 KW: 30 minutes
Fast charging with 50 KW: 80 minutes
Charging with 7,2 KW: 12,5 hours
Km charged per hour 7,2 KW (test): Approx. 3 hours gave approx. 12 miles from 40% capacity
Battery capacity: 95 KW

Price and equipment
Audi e-tron 55 Limited Edition: NOK 822
21″ rims: NOK 11
Panoramic sunroof: NOK 15
Dark windows behind the B-pillar: NOK 4
Lacquered all the way down: NOK 3
Leather seats: NOK 10
Leather interior: NOK 7

Other facts
The car is rented through Hyre.no
Owner: Møller car Oslo West
Source: www.audi.no
Mileage: 5116 km
Km driven: 128 km

Audi e-tron - more pictures

You can click on all the images to see them on a larger scale. The standard resolution is 1080×720 pixels.

See

Temperature control of electric car batteries — The temperature in electric car batteries

Audi A3 e-tron facelift

Posted 26/09/2016 by Terje Bjørnstad

When the lunch menu in Hvervenbukta was not to our liking, we drove to Mortens Kro in Gjelleråsen.

A3 Facelift — Cosmos Blue is a new color for the 2017 models.

Not many of them have hit the road yet. In fact, I have the benefit of seeing someone other than the one I'm driving. I'm told that Ingolstadt has put its production machinery into high gear to get out as many facelifted A3s as possible.

From what I have been able to map, the new A3 e-tron differs from its predecessor in the following areas: New grill, new headlights, new LED running lights, new rear lights, new diffuser, assistant systems, such as automatic warning and emergency braking in case of obstacles within city speeds , adaptive cruise control and lane assist that steers the car automatically at speeds above 60 km/h and warns with vibration in the steering wheel when you change lanes without blinking.

"My" car is in Cosmos Blue, a brand new color of the year. It appears alternately as black and blue, depending on the sunlight. I think the facelift is very successful. The most eye-catching are the new headlights and taillights - proper light circles replace the sad taillights of the predecessor. With sports seats in leather and alcantara, black lining in the roof, panoramic roof, Bang Olufsen and keyless start button, the A3 certainly appears in the premium class.

New grill, new headlights and running lights.

Same drivetrain

The hybrid drive is the same as before with the Volkswagen group's 1,4 liter TFSI engine with 150 horsepower and a 54 horsepower electric motor. I set up the drive so that I primarily drive on the electric motor as long as there is battery capacity. Theoretical mileage is 45 km, but I find that Audi's mileage is shorter than mine. Realistic mileage is in excess of 30 kilometers. For many, it is still enough to get to and from work without using petrol. But then you have to charge every day. For those who depend on external charging stations, it is not appropriate to rely on electricity as the main source of income. Of course, the car works well without charging. Because it charges while driving so that the electric motor can help when needed. The electric motor provides propulsion when starting and driving in parking areas, as well as providing an extra boost during acceleration.

Charging time with normal contact is otherwise 4 hours, and 2 hours on fast charging.

When we started, there were 25 kilometers left on pure electric power. We were on our way to have lunch in Hvervenbukta in Oslo. According to Google Maps, the distance there is exactly 19,3 kilometers. Even though I was extra light on the accelerator, the car had to switch to petrol about 1 km before we reached the destination. The temperature outside showed a pleasant 20 degrees, and several people were swimming, even though October is just around the corner.

When driving in electric mode, the car feels like a pure electric car. It seems more noise-insulated towards the road than the e-Golf, and thus more comfortable. Should you need a quick acceleration, the 150 horsepower is fired up. In urban areas, I get the feeling of driving an extremely large engine. Partly because of the solid bottom line, but also because of the sound level. When the petrol engine starts, it makes a low-frequency hum.

I had hoped to see Anne På Landet's great Food Truck - an extended Citroën Type H, but unfortunately it was not to be seen. The cafe, on the other hand, was open, but there was nothing on the menu that tempted my better half, so we chose to drive on. I myself wanted to taste the lamb sausages that are praised by so many.

We drove around Tyrigrava, but it was closed there. It's a shame that no one can get the service there back on its feet. We instead went out on the motorway to visit Mortens Kro at Gjelleråsen.

At highway speeds, the e-tron reminded me more and more of a regular A3. It is not exactly engine weak, but it seems as if it is mainly the petrol engine that is working. The soundscape has also been changed. Gone is the low-frequency hum.

Modern assistant systems

The biggest changes can be found in the car's assistant systems. The first thing I notice is how the car steers automatically at speeds above 60 km/h. Immediately, there is no good feeling when the wheels start to take on a life of their own. The steering is only a guide for the driver. If he lets go of the steering wheel, a warning will appear on the screen and then the car will brake quickly. If you end up with a wheel outside the road markings, the steering wheel vibrates. The function can be switched off. I chose to wear it, even though it often seemed that I was too far to the right in the road.

Automatic emergency braking comes into effect if, for example, a pedestrian is walking in front of the car. The function only applies at city speeds. This is a type of safety equipment that I believe will become standard on all cars in a few years. It is standard on the new e-tron.

You also get adaptive cruise control, but it was not installed on the tested car. With such equipment, the car can actually drive, steer and brake itself.

Like its predecessor, the new A3 is a good car to drive. It has 3 driving modes. I found the default setting "Auto" worked best. I would consider switching to "Dynamic" during fast highway driving. Then the steering becomes firmer and the throttle application comes more directly. I found no advantages in the Comfort setting. You can also set up an individual setup. As I said, "Auto" works perfectly.

More data on the dashboard

The most visible change inside is the digital dashboard. This can be configured to your own liking, if you take the time. I really liked getting the entire navigation map up on the instrument panel, and the "clocks" in reduced size (virtual cockpit). If you insert a SIM card into the computer unit inside the glove compartment, you can integrate the infotainment system with Google Maps. There should probably also be integration solutions for Apple equipment.

What I find out about the setting options while driving is limited. I started to get hungry, and thought it was important to stay focused on the traffic. Morten's Kro at Gjelleråsen is a timepiece. It has been around for as long as I can remember. A nice destination for a Sunday trip by car. I recognize the logo from the old days and look at pictures on the wall that show how the place looked then, - with an Opel Olympia outside with a panoramic window. The food tasted homemade and good.

You need additional equipment

If you choose the A3 e-tron Sport, you get a fairly well-equipped car, for an Audi. But several of the functions I have described are optional extras. It is difficult to get below 100 in extra equipment. That makes the new A000 e-tron a fantastic car, but the price is perhaps also the car's biggest disadvantage. In the Sport equipment variant, the base price is 3. When you add metallic paint, winter wheels and extras, the price quickly creeps up to 357. That's a lot of money for an A200.

If I were to put my finger on something, it would have to be the range of the batteries. A few extra miles would have made the car even more attractive to many. And by the way…

- why isn't this fine drive unit also available in the A4?

A3 Facelift. - Alcantara on the inside of the doors. — Feel good. – Alcantara on the inside of the doors.

A slightly nostalgic touch over the climate control panel. Lots of important buttons above.

See

This A3 has an appealing appearance. — Audi A3 TDI 110 HP.

Audi.no

Audi e-tron A3

Posted 14/08/2016 by Terje Bjørnstad

2016 Audi A3 e-tron

- Enjoy yourselves!

The salesman at MøllerBil Vest wished us well on our way after giving a quick instruction. The wife had ordered a test drive of an Audi A3 e-tron. Instruction was not really necessary. When you get used to an Audi, most things are quite obvious - if you drive an Audi on a daily basis. The same applies to models from Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat.

Easy to drive

Driving the A3 e-tron is a breeze, like a normal car with an automatic transmission. You don't have to think about which of the two engines is driving. Strictly speaking, it's not that easy to catch, either. Each trip begins on pure electric operation. Then the TFSI engine intervenes. You can neither hear nor feel it, - at least not on this first test ride. It was only when we hit the gas to slip past an old camper that we heard the petrol engine for a couple of seconds. The acceleration happened almost imperceptibly. A look at the speedometer was necessary to see how we were doing in terms of speed.

Cargo

The A3 e-tron is free of gimmicks about engine combinations and regenerative energy. The underlying systems ensure that the power is used as best as possible, regardless of whether it is outgoing or incoming. If you charge the car 4 hours before departure, you can in practice drive around 40-45 km on pure electric power, enough for most people to get back and forth from work. On long journeys, various recuperation functions ensure that the batteries are recharged. An interesting function makes it possible to charge the batteries from the petrol engine while driving so that you can drive on electricity later.

Charging time with normal contact is stated to be 4 hours, and 2 hours on Type2 cable.

Even power

I tried to create an impression of the power potential in the car. Since it was charging when we picked it up, I assume the batteries were fully charged. When the 54 HP electric motor works together with the 1.4 liter 150 HP petrol engine, 204 HP is available. Did we really have 204 HP at our disposal? On paper, it should be enough to give the 1615 kg heavy car a solid surplus of power. The A3 did not disappoint. The power was there as soon as I started, and the power was delivered without 'lag', 'boost', and almost without engine noise. As mentioned, I had to check the speedometer to see how we were doing.

Like other cars from the Volkswagen group

The A3 e-tron not only has a low interior noise level, but also a very pleasant noise level. My subjective impression is that the A3 e-tron has a more pleasant soundstage than the e-Golf, - less monotonous rumble from the road. The little that could be heard from the drivetrain was experienced as positive - enough to break the monotony.

On the road, I occasionally got the feeling of driving an e-Golf. The car seemed precise and direct on the steering wheel. The suspension seems similarly firm and swayed a little on quick turns with the steering, but still took the speed bumps relatively comfortably.

Ideal wife's car

At Bjerke Travbane, the wife took over the wheel. After all, she was the one who had booked the test ride. I sat next to it and photographed. I noted how easily she settled in. The car jerked slightly when she corrected with the steering wheel after being a little inattentive a couple of times, which I noted as a consequence of the tight steering. The wife actually settled so well behind the wheel that I had to settle for being a passenger for the rest of the trip.

If you order a new A3 today, you'll get the facelifted 2017 model that hasn't yet arrived in dealerships. It is about a facelift similar to the one that the A4 received last year. New headlights, a sharper profiled grille and the Audi Virtual Cockpit where the entire instrument panel can be transformed into a navigation map. A couple of new colors have also been introduced. I promise to give a fuller test report of the facelifted model in a few weeks.

Only my wife lets me get behind the wheel...

I like the climate control panel. It has a hint of retro, I think.

The sports chairs have seat cushion rear edge adjustment, seat cushion angle, extendable thigh support.

A pleasant surprise, Fiat Nuova 500 in mint condition. — A pleasant surprise. This great Fiat Nuova 500 appeared.

See

audi.no