By Otsile Kadiege

Earlier on this year, Audi South Africa announced six model derivatives of its e-tron range will be launched in South Africa during the first quarter of 2022. The fully fledged electric vehicle range, consists of the Audi e-tron SUV, e-tron Sportback and S Sportback , e-tron GT and high-performance RS e-tron GT. As part of the pre-launch phase to Audi’s electric vehicle strategy, South African customers are now able to reserve their e-tron model of choice at one of Audi’s ten e-tron Dealerships nationwide.

Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback 

Both the e-tron 55 SUV and e-tron 55 Sportback have power and torque outputs of 300 kW / 664 Nm and a WLTP electric range of 440 and 453 km between the the SUV and Sportback respectively. Audi claims both the e-tron 55 SUV and e-tron 55 Sportback sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.

The e-tron S Sportback increases the performance figures to 370 kW / 973 Nm, however, the electric range has decreased to 378 km (WLTP). The e-tron S Sportback has a claimed 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds. 

A special e-tron 55 launch edition model is currently planned and will be communicated closer to retail.

Audi e-tron GT Quattro and RS e-tron GT

The most exhilarating of the trio is the e-tron GT Quattro and RS e-tron GT, which share the same underpinnings with the Porsche Taycan. The sleek four-door coupe in GT Quattro guise produces 350 kW / 630 Nm and has a WLTP electric range of 488 km. The high-performance RS develops 440 kW / 830 Nm and has a claimed WLTP electric range of 472 km.

Both have an over-boost function providing temporary (35 and 40 kW, respectively) power. The latter will move from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds whilst the latter will smash the same distance in a mere 3.6 seconds.

Home charging

As part of an e-tron purchase, Audi customers will enjoy access to a complementary home check by an approved service provider to assess the customer’s individual home charging requirements, to determine the necessary upgrades or installations needed. Audi will also cover the installation of a 32Amps industrial socket up to the value of R5,000 in an effort to support the adequate setup of a charging point within the customers home. This setup will allow for convenient integration of single phase power (the most widely available power available in South African households) and the Audi e-tron charger, to deliver around 7.2 kW of power towards a 100% charge in an estimated 13 hour charging time.

Additional power upgrades can also be provided by the Audi approved service provider and is dependent on the individual customer requirements at home. The home charging installation process will be facilitated by the relevant Audi dealership.

Pricing and warranty

The Audi e-tron range will be available for sale in the first quarter of 2022 and will be priced as follows:

• e-tron 55 advanced R1,990,000;
• e-tron 55 S line R2,045,000;
• e-tron 55 Sportback S line R2,115,000;
• e-tron S Sportback R2,425,000;
• e-tron GT R2,715,000; and
• RS e-tron GT R3,300,000. 

Prices are inclusive of the Audi Freeway Plan (5 years or 100,000 km) and a battery warranty of 8 years or 160,000 km.