Audi’s all-electric rival to the Mercedes-Benz EQC is finally here, with online orders for the e-tron quattro opening on June 19.
Along with a choice of conventional SUV or coupe-styled Sportback, the new e-tron will be offered with two separate powertrains dubbed 50 and 55. Audi expects 70 per cent of buyers will opt for the more expensive model.
As with its German rival, Audi has thrown everything at the e-tron – from both a vehicle development standpoint, and when it comes to the ownership experience.
Six years of free charging on the Chargefox network of public charge stations is included, double what Porsche is offering in the more expensive Taycan.
An 11kW home charger is standard, although owners may need to pay for installation depending on their garage setup.
Pricing will kick off at $137,700 before on-road costs for the e-tron 50 quattro, putting it directly head-to-head with the Mercedes EQC, and stretches to $159,600 before on-roads for the 55 First Edition.
Pricing
- e-tron 50 quattro: $137,700
- e-tron 55 quattro: $146,700
- e-tron 55 First Edition: $159,600
All prices exclude on-road costs
Engines
This being electric, there are no engines, but there are two dual-motor powertrains offered in the e-tron, starting with the 50 quattro.
It produces 230kW of power and 540Nm of torque, good for a claimed 6.8-second sprint to 100km/h. It’s mated with a 71kWh battery pack.
The 55 quattro packs 300kW of power and 664Nm of torque, dropping the 100km/h sprint time to just 5.7 seconds. A 95kWh battery is standard.
Fuel Economy
Claimed range in the e-tron 50 quattro is 336km on the tougher WLTP test, which equates to an energy usage of between 26.6kWh and 22.4kWh/100km depending on options.
The larger battery in the e-tron 55 quattro improves claimed WLTP range to 436km, with the same claimed energy usage numbers.
When the battery does go flat, it can be charged using an 11kW home charger, or at up to 150kW using DC public infrastructure. As mentioned earlier, the e-tron includes six years of free charging on the Chargefox network of chargers dotted around Australia.
There are charge ports on both sides of the vehicle, although only the passenger side has a connector for DC ultra-rapid charging.
Its peak 150kW charge capacity has the Mercedes-Benz EQC (110kW) covered, but can’t match the Porsche Taycan and its 270kW capability.
Audi says clever thermal management will allow the e-tron to stay at the temperature required to accept peak charge for longer, however, which means the amount of time taken to juice the car from empty to 80 per cent is around 30 minutes.
The battery itself is a liquid-cooled lithium-ion unit with 27 modules in the e-tron 50 quattro, and 36 modules in the 55 quattro. Each module is individually cooled, and Audi says faulty or worn modules can be individually replaced.
The battery pack is backed by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty.
Dimensions
The e-tron quattro measures 4901mm long, 1935mm wide and 1632mm tall, with a 2928mm wheelbase.
The 50 quattro weighs 2445kg, the larger battery in the 55 quattro bumps that up to 2555kg.
Boot space in the SUV-styled e-tron is 660L with the rear seats in place. There’s also 60L in a front boot.
Safety
The e-tron quattro has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing carried out by Euro NCAP in July 2019.
It scored 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 71 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 78 per cent for safety assist.
A full suite of active safety features is standard, including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and the option of camera-based rear-view mirrors in place of conventional units.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment in the base e-tron 50 quattro includes:
- Milano leather seats
- Electrically-adjusted front seats
- Heated front seats
- Dual-zone climate control with remote pre-conditioning
- Electric boot lid
- 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument binnacle
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 8.6-inch touchscreen binnacle below infotainment
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Factory satellite navigation
- Wireless phone charging
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive air suspension
- Dual charge ports
- 11kW home charger
- Six-year Chargefox subscription
- Lane-keeping assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Reverse autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Surround-view camera
- Parking sensors
- Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers
- Keyless entry and start
- LED headlights and tail lights
- Auto-dimming interior mirrors
Moving to the e-tron 55 quattro adds the larger battery pack, but maintains the same list of standard equipment.
The e-tron 55 First Edition will be offered in very limited numbers, with just 70 on offer Australia-wide. Standard equipment over the regular range includes:
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Orange brake calipers
- Black exterior styling package
- Virtual exterior door mirrors
- Matrix LED headlights
- Privacy glass
- Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system
- S Sport front seats trimmed in Valcona leather
- S Line interior package
- Head-up display
- Four-zone climate control
- Coloured interior lighting
A number of option packages are available, starting with the Premium plus package. It costs $9700 on the 50 and 55 quattro, and adds:
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Matrix LED headlights
- Virtual exterior mirrors
- Privacy glass
- Head-up display
- Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system
- Electric steering column adjustment
- Four-zone climate control
- Colour interior lighting
Also available is the $2950 Premium interior package, with:
- Sport front seats
- Valcona leather trim
- Leather upper dashboard, centre console, door armrests
Servicing
Although the battery is backed by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty, the rest of the car is backed by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
