The Audi e-tron - What you need to know about the electric SUV

Audi finally unveiled the first Audi e-tron last Mondy night, 17 September, in San Francisco. Following this all-electric SUV will be the e-tron Sportback that's slated to launch in late 2019 and the sporty e-tron GT in 2020, which will be making its way to the LA Motor Show in November later this year.

More than just these three, Audi is planning to have 20 new models by 2025, of which 10 will be fully electrified models. The German carmaker will also have 12 new 'Q' SUV models by then.

Not at all surprisingly then, since SUVs are currently the popular choice of vehicles for many buyers. According to Fermin Soneira Santos, Head of Product Marketing, Audi AG, SUVs will continue to be the focus for the brand, more so in big markets such as Europe, the U.S.A and China.

Here's what you need to know about the Audi e-tron.

The Audi e-tron is longer and wider than the Q5 but isn't as tall, giving it a rather squat and sporty stance

1. It's big but not oversized

Measuring 4,901mm long, 1,935mm wide and 1,616mm tall, the Audi e-tron sits nicely between the Q5 and the Q7. This means you get the best characteristics of a mid-sized SUV such as road presence, space and style without having to lug around a full-sized SUV along our jammed pack roads.

2. It's a quick one

Fitted with an electric motor at the front and rear axles each, the Audi e-tron is capable of pushing out a total system output of 300kW (or 402bhp) and 664Nm of torque. This allows the electric SUV to hit the 100km/h mark from a standstill in a respectable 5.7 seconds before hitting an electronically-limited top speed of 200km/h. To put this into perspective, even a Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatch will lose a drag race to the Audi e-tron.

The virtual mirrors may be an option when the car arrives in Singapore, but they'll be worth every dollar

3. Mirror mirror on the car

The virtual mirrors on the Audi e-tron are a worldwide first in a series production car. Even though they'll come as an option, and we're guessing it may just cost an arm and a leg to have them, the virtual mirrors look like they're worth every dollar. Cameras take the place of the wing mirrors and rearview images are displayed on high-contrast 7.0-inch OLED displays inside the vehicle.

4. Every drag counts

Always with an eye towards function, the Audi e-tron has multiple features that contribute to its low drag coefficient (Cd). The virtual mirrors, for instance, help lower the drag of the car by 0.01Cd to 0.27Cd. According to Audi, while this may seem insignificant to many, a hundredth of the Cd figure contributes to a range of about 5km under everyday driving conditions.

The grille opens and shuts accordingly for cooling of electric components and better drag

5. More slippery features

The mirrors aren't the only contributing feature to the car's low Cd value. The adaptive air suspension, for example, is capable of lowering the car by 26mm when travelling at high speeds, allowing the car to cut through wind efficiently. Also, the adjustable cooling air intake - a frame with two electrically operated louvers - opens and shuts to ensure the efficiency of drag.

6. It will drive to KL on a single charge

The lower the drag, the better the range. Thus, all these aforementioned features have been doing their part to contribute to the Audi e-tron's range. But the main contributor has to be its 95kWh lithium-ion battery that's intelligently placed within its wheelbase. It helps the electric SUV to clock a range of 400km when it's fully juiced up, which means the car is capable of bringing you to KL on a single charge from home.

You can control up to three different rates of deceleration through the paddles shifters

7. Regenerative recuperation

The Audi e-tron can recover energy by means of coasting recuperation when the driver releases the accelerator, or when the brake pedal is depressed. When braking from 100km/h, the Audi e-tron can recuperate electric power with a maximum of 220kW (295bhp) and 300Nm of torque. This translates to more than 70% of its operating energy input.

8. All you need is 30 minutes

According to Audi, most drivers take an average pit stop of about 30 minutes when you're doing a long drive like from Singapore to KL. Thus, Audi has ensured that the e-tron's battery can be 80% charged in 30 minutes using a 150kwh DC fast charger. In fact, Audi is already working on a 350kWh DC fast charger to shorten the charging time to just 10 minutes - the time it takes to fuel your tank and make payment at a petrol station.

Only 999 units of the Audi e-tron first edition are made

9. There's a limited edition Audi e-tron...

But there's a high chance Singapore won't be getting it. Dubbed the 'first edition', only 999 units are made and they are are likely to be in specific markets like Europe and more so the U.S.A. But nothing to be disappointed about because when the car arrives in Singapore in the second half of next year, you can be rest assured the electric car will be well-specced enough to be your very own electric dream.

10. It's definitely an Audi

Despite its unfamiliar technology, the Audi e-tron has been created to look and feel as closely as the current selection of Audi models as possible. It sort of promises the style and luxury we've come to know from the Q5 and the Q7. The signature grille and Matrix LED lightings that have been part of Audi's design language are all still there, with its capacious SUV boot space and typical 'Q' model road presence. And not forgetting, from the screens and buttons to the layout and materials used, Audi's attention to detail on the inside of the e-tron reflects the brand's impeccability in the business.