rmc523 Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 After months of seeing the 2019 Audi E-Tron in flashy camouflage, the company has finally revealed the all-electric crossover in bare painted sheetmetal. And go figure, it sure looks like an Audi. Specifically it looks like a mix of the flagship Q8 and the smaller Q3. It has the chiseled fenders of the Q3, and the full-width taillights of the Q8. What's different from either of those is the nearly solid front grille painted in silver. We know from prototypes that there's a center section of the grille that is open, but it's well disguised. There are no tailpipes on this car, either. In their place are horizontal slats in the rear bumper. The side body cladding has additional slats that add interesting detail to the design. Some of the carefully creased panels are made of aluminum, too, such as the hood, doors and rear hatch. The interior is just like the exterior. It's nearly a carbon copy of those found in the Q8, A8 and A7. It has two touch screens for the infotainment with a 10.1-inch unit at the top of the center stack and an 8.6-inch example below it. The instrument panel is yet another screen with Audi's Virtual Cockpit instruments. Key interior differences include a unique wrist rest that has a toggle on the edge for switching gears. And in the doors, there are small screens that display what the exterior side-view cameras show. Under the fairly conservative skin is a much more radical powertrain. The E-Tron uses two electric motors, one large one for the rear, and a small one for the front wheels. The company has previously estimated output at 355 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque in normal mode, output that can be produced for 60 seconds straight. There's also an overboost function that can operate for up to 8 seconds that brings power up to 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque. That latter number allows the car to hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 124 mph. The E-Tron also can tow up to 4,000 pounds when equipped with the optional towing package. Depending on load, the E-Tron can drive using just the rear motor, and the front motor starts to power the front wheels when more power is demanded, or when driving conditions demand additional traction. In the floor between the motors is the battery pack, and at launch it will only be available in a 95-kWh form. Final EPA-rated range hasn't been released yet, but the WLTP rating for range is 248 miles. Audi says the E-Tron will also support 150-kW DC fast charging, which will allow it to regain 80 percent of its range in 30 minutes. All E-Trons additionally come with a home charger that can support charging via 120-volt or 240-volt electrical outlets and 1,000 kWh of electricity from Electrify America charging stations. Audi says there will be 500 stations built or under construction by July 2019.... As for pricing, the E-Tron isn't cheap. The entry-level Premium Plus model starts at $75,795. It does come well-appointed, though, with a 16-speaker B&O sound system, 12-way power heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and the aforementioned 20-inch alloy wheels. Moving up to the Prestige trim brings the price to $82,795. This trim adds a heads-up display, massage seats, power door closers, dual-pane windows, leather, memory driver's seat and two packages, an air quality package and the Driver Assistance Package. The latter features adaptive cruise control that can adjust speed for construction zones, curves and even roundabouts, and self-parking for parallel and perpendicular spaces. The top-rung First Edition model has a base price of $87,695, and it adds 21-inch wheels, orange brake calipers (no doubt a reference to the camouflage on the prototypes) and night vision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 This looks like a very serious effort from Audi. Not like the "mail it in" attempts from Mercedes EQC or BMW iX3. 95kw battery should translate into 250 mile range for EPA cycle. And cheaper than Tesla X too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blwnsmoke Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 And I bet they wont be built under tents. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 I like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 The rear end reminds me of the MkX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe3w Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Until these things get a range of at least 400 miles and can recharge in 5 minutes or under I won't buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Until these things get a range of at least 400 miles and can recharge in 5 minutes or under I won't buy one. Do you know how electricity works and the power it would take to recharge that much battery in 5 minutes? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Not bad at all....looking forward to the Mach 1 reveal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe3w Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Do you know how electricity works and the power it would take to recharge that much battery in 5 minutes? No, and neither do you. This technology is changing all the time. Just because it can't be done today doesn't mean it can't be done tomorrow. Remember when people thought the world was flat (well some still do) but you get my point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 No, and neither do you. This technology is changing all the time. Just because it can't be done today doesn't mean it can't be done tomorrow. Remember when people thought the world was flat (well some still do) but you get my point. You might be able to do it, but at the same time is it going to be economical or can they make a profit on it? I dont think we are anywhere near a 5 minute full recharge in the near future-short of swapping out power packs. A 300 mike range (in good conditions) meets 80-90% of everyday driving conditions. Heck look at this way-I live about 8-9 hour drive to Dayton Ohio. Roughly 600 miles. I can drive out and stop once for lunch/dinner and make the trip no problem since the car should be able to be fully recharged in the time it takes to eat and relax a bit. I dont think that is too much to ask for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 No, and neither do you. Well, I could dust off my electrical engineering degree and do some calculations if you like... In reality, though, you don't need any degree to see that what you are asking is a factor of 10 over what this thing will do. Common sense should tell you that to dump 150kWh of energy into a set of batteries in 5 minutes is crazy. This technology is changing all the time. Just because it can't be done today doesn't mean it can't be done tomorrow. Remember when people thought the world was flat (well some still do) but you get my point. Yes, the technology is changing, but technology cannot change physics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe3w Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Well, I could dust off my electrical engineering degree and do some calculations if you like... In reality, though, you don't need any degree to see that what you are asking is a factor of 10 over what this thing will do. Common sense should tell you that to dump 150kWh of energy into a set of batteries in 5 minutes is crazy. Yes, the technology is changing, but technology cannot change physics. I understand the physics but that doesn't mean that a breakthrough in battery technology may get the charging time down or the size and weight of the batteries will extend the range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 I understand the physics but that doesn't mean that a breakthrough in battery technology may get the charging time down or the size and weight of the batteries will extend the range. Size and weight of the batteries has nothing to do with the physics of shoving that much energy into them in a quick period of time. Actually, smaller batteries may make it more difficult due to the (in)ability of their size to transfer the heat out. My point is, saying you will wait for a 400 mile range charge in 5 minutes is like waiting for a car that gets 250 miles to the gallon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Far more likely to get a swappable battery pack before you get a 5 minute recharge on a 400 mile range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Far more likely to get a swappable battery pack before you get a 5 minute recharge on a 400 mile range. Exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92merc Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 What we really need are capacitors instead of batteries. They are designed for fast charge and discharge. We're just not there yet, on this scale at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe3w Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Far more likely to get a swappable battery pack before you get a 5 minute recharge on a 400 mile range. This won't happen unless they come up with a standard that everyone uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 This won't happen unless they come up with a standard that everyone uses. It's far more likely than your scenario. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe3w Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 https://www.electricvehiclesresearch.com/articles/13322/5-minute-extreme-fast-charge-battery-technology-for-electric-vehicles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupe3w Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 It's far more likely than your scenario. Why do you think you're right all the time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Why do you think you're right all the time? Because I tend to use common sense and facts and not believe marketing hype? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msm859 Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Until these things get a range of at least 400 miles and can recharge in 5 minutes or under I won't buy one. How many days in a year do you actually travel over 400 miles? And of those days, how many do you Not stop for at least 1/2 hour? The average person drives less then 30 miles per day. Although your particular situation might make your "requirements" reasonable, I suspect for the vast majority they are totally unnecessary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 https://www.electricvehiclesresearch.com/articles/13322/5-minute-extreme-fast-charge-battery-technology-for-electric-vehicles No mention of cost or whether this technology is viable for passenger vehicles. Remember the hype about hydrogen powered fuel cells a few years ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 How many days in a year do you actually travel over 400 miles? And of those days, how many do you Not stop for at least 1/2 hour? The average person drives less then 30 miles per day. Although your particular situation might make your "requirements" reasonable, I suspect for the vast majority they are totally unnecessary. I agree. Most people don't realize that electric cars would fit the needs of most of the population. I think it would even be better to plug it in at your own home while not using it rather than making a trip to a gas station. Don't get me wrong, I love my Mustang, but at the same time I know that I could get away with driving an electric car. The only thing I'd miss is being able to drive to Florida, but I haven't even done that in at least seven years. The only real flaw in EV cars is the burden it would put on the power grid if most people owned one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 (edited) Oh yeah, the E-tron is much sexier than the Model X. Elon Musk must be pooping his pants right now. Edited September 21, 2018 by atomcat68 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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