First drive - 2019 Audi E-Tron

[OVERKILL]

So, finally decided to take one of these out, as I've been obsessing about the idea of one since I saw the poster for it in San Francisco. Comically, the one I drove was identical to the one on the billboard.

Unit I took out was the dealer demo, it's a fully loaded Technik model, looked like this:

Unless it's an amazing deal, I'd probably only consider the Progressiv, as it's more reasonably priced.

Now, I'll preface this with the fact I've never driven a Model 3. I have however driven a Model S (and posted the review on here) and so I'm familiar with that car and that's my electric car reference.

Compared to the Model S, the E-Tron is far less spartan inside. It's a lot like what you'd expect in a traditional SUV with some tweaks. The controls for the HVAC and stuff are touch with tactile feedback like the home button on an iPhone 8. The Nav interface is in the cluster and this model had HUD, which was quite nice. It is typical Audi: Everything lines up and is put together extremely well, the materials choice is excellent, panel alignment is excellent...etc.

The unit I took out had not been charged and had 168Km of range on it when I got in. We took it a few kilometres down the 401 and then back through town (Oshawa). Acceleration was excellent at highway speed, the ride was a very good balance of compliance and control; it felt extremely competent. The mirrors were good, as was visibility. My wife was weirded out by the lack of sound and gear shifting (she's never been in an EV).

I must say, I'm quite smitten with the vehicle, moreso than I thought I'd be. We are a two car family and with the amount of driving in town we do, an EV potentially makes sense as the 2nd vehicle to complement the truck, which would be the logical choice for longer trips, towing...etc. An EV would save me $400 a month in gasoline and would cost roughly $30 month in electricity at current off-peak prices.

 

[Audios]

How much does the charging station install cost? Ive always wondered this when thinking about if electric cars would make sense for me. Also, how much more is this compared to a comparable gasser Audi suv? that 400$ a month in gas may balance out, especially with the 2 cars you commute with now.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by Audios
How much does the charging station install cost? Ive always wondered this when thinking about if electric cars would make sense for me. Also, how much more is this compared to a comparable gasser Audi suv? that 400$ a month in gas may balance out, especially with the 2 cars you commute with now.


Audi gives you a credit toward the home charger install, I think $500? The cost will depend on your electrician and location I imagine

Audi gassers are similarly priced. This unit is $109K (MSRP, we'll see what the actual pricing looks like) but the Progressiv is $94, which is very much in-line with the MSRP on my current Jeep or a Q7.

 

[JeffKeryk]

How much are they? I understand the drivetrain is similar to the Taycan.
What is the range? Taycan is expected to be 180 to 200 miles; perhaps 220.

I'm sure you would enjoy that beautiful EV.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
How much are they? I understand the drivetrain is similar to the Taycan.
What is the range? Taycan is expected to be 180 to 200 miles; perhaps 220.

I'm sure you would enjoy that beautiful EV.


See above, I think I posted it as you posted yours, lol.

Range is ~390Km; 240 miles.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Range is ~390Km; 240 miles.
The range on the US version is 204 miles. Is the Canadian one different?

 

[domer10]

I would hold out until some other test pilots go through a Canadian winter with them. How has feedback been with other EV's and battery life in the cold? I would be concerned that drastic temp fluctuations could prematurely cause battery failure, I guess it depends on weather you lease or buy, I could see something like this causing grief right when warranty was up.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Range is ~390Km; 240 miles.
The range on the US version is 204 miles. Is the Canadian one different?



Looks like I was transposing the last two digits, I thought it was 392Km, it's 329Km, which is 204 miles.

EDIT:

Apparently I'm not on crack, the range was originally claimed to be 400Km:
https://driving.ca/reviews/preview/first-look-2019-audi-e-tron-quattro

The US EPA rating for it is what brought it down to 329.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by domer10
I would hold out until some other test pilots go through a Canadian winter with them. How has feedback been with other EV's and battery life and the cold?


Not too bad, just don't try and make any crazy long trips, which we wouldn't be. I have two acquaintances with Model S's, and they drive them year-round. There's now a Model 3 down the street, I expect to see it out and about this winter.

 

[domer10]

Sorry, I edited my post, I meant more long term for battery....I wonder if it causes added stress and premature battery failures.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by domer10
Sorry, I edited my post, I meant more long term for battery....I wonder if it causes added stress and premature battery failures.


I doubt it, I think the biggest issue will be caused by fast charging them. This is somewhat supported by the battery logic that scales back charge rate on the SuperCharger stations for the Tesla's, because repeated supercharging harms the batteries.

 

[JeffKeryk]

204 miles is kinda low... Especially for a premium priced EV.
How will you charge it?
Our car has never been on a Supercharger; home charging does the trick.
I can tell you starting the day with a full tank is really nice; far better than ICE vehicles.
If you charge at home, the range is less important because you are not as dependent on charging stations.
What is the available charging stations in your area?

Full transparency, we use the TSX and GS more than the other cars.

 

[domer10]

Oh no doubt that will not help, as well....I am not up to snuff on lithium ion and current battery tech, but having served multiple years in military......winters were torture on batteries be it car or other applications, for that charge interval and long term.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by domer10
Oh no doubt that will not help, as well....I am not up to snuff on lithium ion and current battery tech, but having served multiple years in military......winters were torture on batteries be it car or other applications, for that charge interval and long term.


Yeah, I don't believe that's as much of an issue (other than reduced capacity) with Lithium ion. It's more the issue of fast charging them AFAIK

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
204 miles is kinda low... Especially for a premium priced EV.
How will you charge it?
Our car has never been on a Supercharger; home charging does the trick.
I can tell you starting the day with a full tank is really nice; far better than ICE vehicles.
If you charge at home, the range is less important because you are not as dependent on charging stations.
What is the available charging stations in your area?

Full transparency, we use the TSX and GS more than the other cars.


Charging would be at home. We have generic Level 2 charging stations around these parts and in parking garages in the GTA:
Originally Posted by ChargeHub
Known internationally as one of the multicultural centers of the world, Toronto's communities' are known to speak over 140 different languages! This same community accounts for many electric vehicle drivers. Accordingly, there are currently level 2 charging stations and level 3 charging stations (DCFC) based across Toronto's various neighbourhoods (within 15km of the city). Moreover, charging stations in Toronto are free. Some of the networks that are established in Toronto are Greenlots, Tesla, ChargePoint, GE, and a few others.

In 2016, the province of Ontario vowed to install 500 electric charging stations in 250 locations across its territory, to ensure that all electric vehicles can easily travel from Windsor to Ottawa, and from Toronto to North Bay. The main strategy is the following: to have fast charging stations every 60-80 km along Ontario's major highways.

Also, it is now required that level 2 charging plugs be installed on all new residential and commercial buildings to ensure a charging infrastructure to EV drivers. This is considered as one of the key measures taken by the city to reduce harmful greenhouse emissions and encourage the EV adoption.

 

[Danno]

Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Originally Posted by domer10
I would hold out until some other test pilots go through a Canadian winter with them. How has feedback been with other EV's and battery life and the cold?


Not too bad, just don't try and make any crazy long trips, which we wouldn't be. I have two acquaintances with Model S's, and they drive them year-round. There's now a Model 3 down the street, I expect to see it out and about this winter.

I've seen quite a few Teslas in my neighbourhood, and our winter is quite a bit more severe than what the GTA sees. They seem to do OK. My new neighbor next door has a Model 3.
I have seen -40C on my car temperature read out, in town.

 

[Fawteen]

General Motors called. They want their Hawaiian Blue color back.

 

[domer10]

I have as well, northern Ontario to.....just have not seen any out in winter, but saw 4-5 this summer.

 

[dareo]

The only problem with EVs today: They are like Cell Phones 5-7 years ago. Just wait a bit longer and get something dramatically better. When they get to where phones are now, where they cannot really innovate much beyond adding a 3rd camera and a larger battery you know its time to buy.

 

[double vanos]

As it stands, electric vehicles are mostly considered to be in town vehicles. Since normal day to day living needs only 200 miles range (or less) daily, I foresee sales picking up for the "second car " electric vehicle. Once one gets used to never having to visit the gas station, change oil, do tune ups, emissions testing etc. perceptions of an EV as "not a real car" will change.
As the manufacturers keep improving the EV car deficiencies, they'll become more and more mainstream and the gas models will have to compete. As the years go by it'll get harder and harder.
Confession: I've never ridden in or driven an EV. My experience is limited to pneumatic tools and gas yard tools that have been outclassed and replaced by battery models, making my life easier.
There's enough evidence on YT to convince me that my next vehicle will probably be an EV. Overkill's review here just puts another nail in ICEs coffin.