Audi’s new e-tron is electrifying

Audi finally took the wraps off its all-new electric SUV, called the e-tron.

It seems the final product was worth the wait, because it boasts an impressive line-up of figures.

In the e-tron, two electric motors (one for each axle) drive the electric SUV, with a system output of up to 300 kW and 664 Nm of torque. Peak torque is available within fractions of a second, enabling the e-tron to complete the standard sprint in 5.7 seconds. Top speed is an electronically-limited to just over 200km/h.

In most cases, the e-tron mainly uses its rear electric motor in order to achieve the highest efficiency. If the driver demands more power than it can supply, the electric all-wheel drive redistributes torque as required to the front axle.

The e-tron comes with seven driving profiles the driver can select, depending on the driving conditions. The system also influences the standard air suspension with adaptive dampers. The pneumatic springs adjust individually to the road conditions depending on the speed and the driver’s preferences, varying the ride height by as much as 76 millimetres. At higher, motorway-appropriate speeds on longer journeys the e-tron is therefore able to adopt a lower stance in the interest of aerodynamics, and consequently of range.

Audi claims the e-tron can cover 400km on a single charge. This is due primarily to the innovative recuperation system, which is responsible for up to 30 per cent of the range. It can recover energy in two ways: by means of coasting recuperation when the driver releases the accelerator, or by means of braking recuperation when the brake pedal is depressed.