Audi e-tron long term review, first report

Say whats up to the Audi e-tron, the most recent addition to the Autocar India long run fleet. Being an all-electric automotive, it’s huge on novelty worth and there’s real curiosity in our ranks on what it’ll be like dwelling with the sturdy and silent Audi. It’s been Hormazd’s each day driver for the majority of its time with us up to now, however participation in an EV rally in Pune was a motive nearly as good as any for me to snag the keys for a number of days.

e-tron’s vibrant calendar included enjoying help automobile at a classic automotive occasion.

Suffice to say, the drive was my quietest and most enjoyable ever to Pune. With only a distant whirr from the electrical motors and excellent all-round noise insulation, the e-tron simply cocoons you from the world exterior. In actual fact, so refreshing was the extent of calm, I didn’t even play music! The plush experience solely added to the sense of tranquility.

There was no motive for concern, or, ahem, nervousness, on vary both. The automotive wasn’t ‘topped up’ at the beginning, however with the 95kWh battery at 80 % and an indicated 276km of vary for the 160km journey, there was sufficient to securely go the space. Flowing site visitors out of Mumbai and an 80-100kph cruise on the expressway in Effectivity mode yielded a greatest displayed financial system of 5.2km/kWh over the primary 70km of the journey, which works out to a theoretical 450km or so on a full cost.

HIDDEN DATA: Essential EV knowledge like battery cost degree is just not the simplest to seek advice from.

Nonetheless, it helped to be mentally ready for the dramatic drop in vary over the climb to Lonavala. Displayed vary plummeted by 66km over the 15km ghat! Large and heavy EVs (the e-tron weighs a portly 2.5 tonnes) positive don’t like preventing gravity. The gradual descent that adopted helped benefit from the regen braking and by the point I rolled into the lodge at Pune, the Audi nonetheless had a variety of 159km with 40 % cost left. That’s 117km of indicated vary used up for a 160km journey, which is fairly rattling good. Speaking numbers, I do want the EV knowledge was introduced on the dials in a friendlier method. The battery cost indicator, as an example, is tiny.

LIGHT ’EM UP: Matrix LED headlamps present good illumination. Mild projections very cool too.

Of the opposite takeaways from the drive, I’d give the Audi’s Matrix LED headlights full marks. They beam a carpet of sunshine forward of the automotive with very exact protection and in addition put up a lightweight present with slick projections on locking/unlocking… it’s fairly the occasion trick. I do want the horn was simpler to toot although. You have to put fairly a little bit of strain on the steering boss; not very best whenever you’re transferring via a swarm of Pune’s kamikaze bikers.

EV, EV in all places… our e-tron was one amongst over 400 electrical autos on the Pune EV Rally.

The EV Rally held the subsequent day, as a part of the Alternate Gas Conclave, made for a enjoyable outing. Stated to be India’s largest EV rally, the occasion noticed participation from over 400 electrical autos throughout genres of two-, three- and four-wheelers, buses, and in addition included some quirky EV conversions like an all-electric Fiat 1100. The 28km route had us drive previous a few of Pune’s well-known landmarks and roads, and the overwhelming feeling among the many proud contributors was of being first movers amidst a transformational change within the automotive sphere.

HORN (NOT) OK PLEASE: Horn on steering boss wants a really agency press. Needs to be simpler.

Sadly, my conviction in the direction of EVs obtained a impolite actuality examine when it was time to cost the automotive later within the day after a bit extra driving round city. The Tata Energy EV quick charger at Agarkar Nagar simply didn’t register the e-tron (or the Tata Tigor EV that tried a cost after me). I made a decision to move to the MG showroom on East Road solely to study that not all MG showrooms have EV chargers. I used to be suggested to attempt the Tata Energy EV quick charger at Amanora Mall the subsequent morning, however a lot to my disappointment it didn’t work.

Now with solely double digits of vary left, the one failsafe possibility I used to be left with was to move throughout city to the Audi Pune showroom (fortunately on the freeway to Mumbai itself) and use the AC charger there. The staff on the showroom have been very hospitable, however I’d quite haven’t been put into the place of getting to attend over three hours to cost my automotive. You possibly can argue that I ought to have deliberate my motion and stops higher, however then malfunctioning chargers aren’t a part of the script both.

EASY CHARGE: 7.4kW AC charger put in at workplace takes care of most of our charging wants.

Again in Mumbai, we’re taking advantage of the 7.4kW AC charger that Audi had very kindly put in at our workplace final yr when the e-tron first got here for a take a look at. The charger comes complimentary with the e-tron and patrons can have it arrange at a location of their selection. Our e-tron helps 11kW AC charging, which works out to simply over eight hours for a full cost. The e-tron may also be optioned with 7.4kW AC charging, which halves that point. Inside metropolis limits, we’ve not wanted to plug the e-tron in elsewhere (save at a Tata Energy outlet to substantiate compatibility; no downside, fortunately) and it truly is handy to have your charger at house or workplace. Plugging in is straightforward and it positive beats visiting a petroleum pump and shelling out hundreds on gasoline. On the topic, a 0-100% cost at workplace would price about

Rs 750. For a variety of 300+km, that’s an absolute steal. There’s extra we’ll be uncovering over the e-tron’s time with us. For now, peace out. Actually.

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