What we’ve got right here is Audi’s first mass-produced electrical automobile – the e-tron. The identify, nonetheless, made its debut in 2009 and appeared on a number of all-electric and plug-in hybrid Audi ideas, in addition to on some limited-run manufacturing fashions. In 2018, nonetheless, at this SUV’s curtain raiser, the corporate paved a definitive course for the e-tron sub-brand and, henceforth, all its current and future EVs will fall beneath the e-tron umbrella and flaunt the moniker of their identification; for instance, e-tron 55, e-tron GT, This autumn e-tron and so forth.
Additionally not precisely new, is the automobile in rivalry, which hit worldwide showrooms in 2019 and set off to a powerful begin, however provide chain constraints resulted in hovering international ready intervals and subsequent delays. The India-launch, scheduled for 2019, was delayed and that prolonged additional as a result of pandemic. So, it is just now, in the midst of 2021, that we’re lastly getting the e-tron in India. In consequence, regardless of being one of many first luxurious producers to have a standalone EV mannequin internationally, Audi misplaced its benefit in India to each, the Mercedes-Benz, which launched the EQC in 2020, and to Jaguar, which launched the I-Tempo earlier this 12 months. For Audi, nonetheless, this may very well be a blessing in disguise, with the competitors testing the waters for premium luxurious EVs and the broader market consciousness and higher acceptance of EVs in India, the timing appears excellent for the e-tron SUV launch.
To start with, we’ll get the ‘55’ variant in addition to a ‘55 Sportback’ model, each of that are powered by a 95kWh battery. Curiously, the corporate goals to promote over 200 e-trons yearly, which could appear to be a tall order for a automobile that prices over Rs 1 crore. So, does it have sufficient to again its inexperienced plates and meet the corporate goal? We put the e-tron 55 by our exhaustive checks to search out out.
With the intention to attain its gross sales goal of 200 models a 12 months, the e-tron won’t solely need to be an excellent EV, however it’s going to additionally need to ship as a daily premium SUV. Because the latter, it does the job very effectively – it appears the half, it’s spacious and sensible, the trip is great and efficiency could be very sturdy. SUVs, nonetheless, are additionally anticipated to be nice long-distance cruisers. Whereas the e-tron’s efficiency and dealing with most actually make it well-suited for the highways, its 382km of freeway vary isn’t ample sufficient, which is the case with different EVs in its class too.
Air suspension may be raised by 50mm, and in addition lowered by 39mm from its regular trip peak.
Take away the long-distance commuting from the equation, nonetheless, and it performs very effectively as an city EV. An actual-world metropolis vary of about 350km makes it greater than able to the routine city grind, and efficiency is as clean and as sturdy because it will get. So if it’s an easy-to-drive luxurious SUV that you simply search, one which you’ll take pleasure in driving with out having the slightest guilt of dangerous tailpipe emissions, the e-tron deserves exhausting look.
