New Entry Level Audi E-Tron 50 Quattro Join the Range

• New partner for the existing e-tron 55 quattro model broadens the appeal of the first fully electric Audi SUV

• New lead-in e-tron model priced from £59,900 OTR (excluding OLEV grant)

• Introduces new Technik, Sport and S line specification levels

• Two electric motors with a total output of 230 kW (313PS) and 540 Nm

• WLTP range of up to 190 miles, fast charging in 30 minutes

• Standard specification includes home wall box installation

• Compatible with new e-tron Charging Service – Transit tariff subscription included at no extra cost for 12 months

• First two services free for customers purchasing with a finance agreement

• Further details on new Audi EV hub at www.audi.co.uk/electric

As the groundswell of demand for electric mobility builds Audi is moving to make its growing EV and PHEV ranges ever more accessible through new models like the e-tron 50, which is now available for UK ordering priced from £59,900 OTR. The new variant, which joins the line-up alongside the continuing e-tron 55 quattro, combines its strong performance, WLTP-ratified range of up to 190 miles and 30-minute charging capability (to 80 percent capacity) with new Technik, Sport and S line specification options that sit below the most lavishly equipped Launch Edition.  

“This new version of the e-tron opens up the possibility of driving ultra-economically and with zero local emissions to a wider customer base,” says Director of Audi UK Andrew Doyle. “Our research has shown that on a daily basis many prospective buyers will cover significantly less than the 190-mile maximum achievable in the e-tron 50 on a full charge, so for them, this more accessible yet no less accomplished variant makes perfect sense. It is also notable for introducing attractive new specification options, including the ever-popular S line, that will roll out across the e-tron range in the longer term.”

The new specification hierarchy delivers visual appeal, comfort, and convenience at every level. Externally, lead-in Technik models feature 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps and contrast finish bumpers, and inside offer heated and electrically adjustable front seats upholstered in Twin leather, MMI Navigation Plus, and the Audi Smartphone and Audi Music interfaces, among many other fixtures. Sport models are distinguishable by their 20-inch five-arm contrast grey alloy wheels, and inside gain features such as sport seats upholstered in Valcona leather, additional Audi Music Interface access for rear passengers and Audi Phonebox wireless charging.

In line with ICE Audi models, S line versions are marked out by more dynamic S line styling and feature sport suspension – in this case a specially tuned version of the adaptive air set-up that is standard for all e-tron models. The e-tron 50 S line also adds larger 21-inch alloy wheels, body-colored bumpers, privacy glass, and Matrix LED headlamps with front and rear dynamic indicators. Inside, an extended leather pack, matt brushed aluminum inlays and a three-spoke S line steering wheel are among the features that further elevate the cabin ambiance.

Virtual mirrors as standard

At the top of the rankings in equipment terms, the Launch Edition model is identifiable by way of its black styling elements taking in the Singleframe, window trim strips and front and rear bumper, by its exclusive 21-inch alloy wheels from Audi Sport and, probably most strikingly, by its virtual door mirrors, which replace the conventional door mirrors and use cameras to project images of the e-tron’s surroundings onto OLED displays in the cabin.

Inside, a full-length panoramic sunroof and powered steering wheel adjustment expand the list of comforts, while a variety of upgrades heighten the air of technological sophistication. These include a step up from the standard Audi virtual cockpit to the virtual cockpit plus, bringing additional ‘e-tron’ and ‘sport’ layouts for even more comprehensive driver information, plus additional driver assistance systems that form part of the standard Tour Pack. This pack bundles together everything from adaptive cruise assist and lane departure warning to the predictive efficiency assistant promoting the most charge-conscious driving style.

Several supplementary systems also complement the pack, including Audi side assist blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic assist, a 360-degree camera and even an exit warning system, which visually alerts occupants to the presence of oncoming cyclists and other potential hazards when opening the vehicle doors.

The Launch Edition also incorporates a comfort remote preconditioning system, which is a higher functioning version of the remote preconditioning system fitted as standard elsewhere in the range. Where that enables the driver to use the myAudi app to remotely activate the primary heating and ventilation system so that it reaches the temperature that was programmed when the vehicle was last driven, the more advanced version also permits remote adjustment of the desired temperature and can also control seat heating and ventilation, steering wheel heating (if fitted) and window heating.

Like its e-tron 55 counterpart, the e-tron 50 is a product of the carbon-neutral Audi Brussels plant, and its approach to efficiency is no less holistic. Its battery has a 71 kWh capacity and delivers its energy via a newly calibrated drivetrain incorporating an electric motor on each axle with a combined output of 230kW (313PS) and 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of torque. In the WLTP test cycle, a range of up to 190 miles has been proven to be achievable, and up to 80 percent of this total can be restored in as little as 30 minutes at fast-charge stations thanks to the electric SUV’s 120kW charging capability.

7kW home wall box charger included

Alternatively, the battery can, of course, be replenished at home using AC charging – a 7kW home wall box charger is currently available at no extra cost to all e-tron and e-tron Sportback customers*. In the e-tron 50, a full charge of a depleted battery using one of these wall boxes can be completed in around 10.5 hours.

In order to achieve the highest efficiency, only the rear electric motor is active in most driving situations, but the two driven axles can operate as an ‘e-quattro’ all-wheel-drive system, helping to shore up the e-tron 50 in all road conditions and to propel it smoothly as well as silently to 62mph in seven seconds on the way to a top speed of 118mph.

The front electric motor is activated predictively when needed, and the regulation of the electric all-wheel drive is extremely fast, highly connected and very precise. In combination with modern suspension components including air suspension and the e-tron’s low center of gravity, it provides excellent dynamics and stability.

The lower gross weight of the e-tron 50 quattro also contributes to efficiency, as does the advanced thermal management system with its standard thermal pump. This system regulates the temperature of the interior as well as the battery and cools the electric motors, the power electronics, and the charger. In this way it ensures that the high-voltage components enjoy a long service life and enable fast charging with direct current (DC).

Like the more powerful version of the electric SUV, the Audi e-tron 50 quattro also recuperates energy via its two electric motors, with priority given to the rear motor, during more than 90 percent of all deceleration actions. This means that the energy from practically all normal braking maneuvers is recovered and fed back into the battery. The newly developed wheel brake system with electrohydraulic actuation is activated only when the force of deceleration exceeds 0.3 g. This results in short braking distances in all situations.

Enlightening new Audi EV hub

Customers considering making the switch from a conventionally powered Audi model to one of the growing range of e-tron EVs can now explore the benefits of doing so in greater detail, find information on key considerations such as charging and government plug-in grant entitlement and view frequently asked questions on the new Audi EV hub at www.audi.co.uk/electric.

Optimized for display on mobile devices, the new online resource also includes full details of the new e-tron Charging Service, which offers subscribers a choice of two attractive fixed price charging tariffs and automatically debits their account based on usage with a single tap of an RFID card at hundreds of charging points operated by 18 providers in the UK and while roaming at no extra cost overseas. Users receive a single monthly invoice, stripping away another layer of potential over-complication from the EV ownership proposition.

The Transit tariff, which would normally cost £16.95 per month and grants subscribers access to the high-powered IONITY network and the 150kW output its chargers can deliver (but does not include electrical charge), is offered free of charge to new e-tron customers for the first 12 months.

Initial servicing costs can also be removed from the equation for customers purchasing an e-tron model through either the Personal Contract Plan (PCP) or Contract Hire channels. Their first two services are included as part of their finance agreement at no extra cost*

Two youngsters test for Audi in Formula E

• Kelvin van der Linde and Mattia Drudi at rookie test in Marrakesh

•   Important tasks at the season’s only test 

•   Drudi and van der Linde thrilled about the “completely new challenge”

Kelvin van der Linde and Mattia Drudi will start for Audi at the Formula E rookie test in Marrakesh. A day after the fifth round of the series on February 29, the two youngsters from South Africa and Italy get one day to gain experience in the fully-electric series, and at the same time, support the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler squad with its development work.

Both Kelvin van der Linde and Mattia Drudi have long been part of the Audi family – albeit in a different discipline. Drudi joined the driver line-up of the Audi Sport customer racing team in February 2019 and contested the Spa 24 Hours, among others, at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS. Over the last few months, the 21-year-old has supported the two regular drivers, Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi, with work in the Formula E simulator. Kelvin van der Linde (23) – a member of the Audi Sport customer racing team since 2015 – has won the ADAC GT Masters drivers’ title twice, the Nürburgring 24 Hours, as well as other endurance races for Audi. 

“The test is a completely new challenge and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never driven a single-seater before, so there’s a lot to learn, because the demands on Formula E drivers are particularly complex and more varied than in GT racing,” says Kelvin van der Linde. “I’ve been following the series for ages and I have noticed how it’s becoming increasingly important, especially in light of climate discussions. Although I come from South Africa, this will actually be my first visit to another African country.”

After many hours in the virtual world, Mattia Drudi now heads into “real life” Formula E. “I’ve always supported the Formula E project with my simulator work. It’s cool to now join the Audi team on a race weekend. I’m looking forward to working with this squad,” says Drudi. “I’ll be there the whole weekend and I’m excited to see what the procedures and the atmosphere are like at the track. On television, the races look really exhilarating and the drivers and fans seem to have a great time. Gaining experience in driving the real car will also be important for my work in the simulator.”

The support from the two rookies is invaluable for the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team, which tackles the fifth Formula E race of the season in Marrakesh with its regular drivers Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi the day before the test. “We are all looking forward to having Mattia and Kelvin on track in our cars, they have both been in our simulator and will be working closely with our engineers preparing themselves for the rookie test. They will get lots of time in the car, in fact more than Daniel and Lucas will have during the race day, and we want to give them a real feeling for Formula E, while at the same time helping us to prepare for the next races,” says Team Principal Allan McNish.

The rookie test on Sunday, March 1, 2020, is split into a morning and afternoon session. Only drivers who have never contested a Formula E race and who do not hold an E-license are permitted to take part. 

Audi racing drivers thrill fans at GP Ice Race

---

• Daniel Abt, René Rast, and Benoît Tréluyer put in a spectacular show in Zell am See

• Audi e-tron FE06 and Audi RS 5 DTM sideways on ice and snow

• Rally legend Stig Blomqvist drives historic Audi Sport Quattro

Spectacular drifts on ice and snow: at the second running of the GP Ice Race in Austria’s Zell am See, Formula E driver Daniel Abt and DTM champion René Rast tackled slippery terrain with their Audi race cars. The 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist and triple Le Mans winner Benoît Tréluyer joined the Audi show.

Photo credit: Audi

Hildegard Wortmann, a member of the Board of Management responsible for marketing and sales, was present and joined René Rast in the Audi RS 5 DTM as well as Stig Blomqvist in the Audi Sport Quattro for several fast laps. “It was an impressive experience,” she said. “It was great to see the enthusiasm of the many fans at the circuit, they were treated to a tremendous show: a unique event that connects the history, the present and the future of motorsport.”

Photo credit: Audi

After the traditional ice race in Zell am See had celebrated a revival after 45 years last year, Audi racing drivers again treated spectators to an enthralling show. Daniel Abt turned several spectacular laps on snow with his Audi e-tron FE06 from the FIA Formula E and pulled the freestyle ski ace, Benedikt Mayr, on a rope, in traditional skijoring-style, behind his Formula E racer. “Bene is a professional skier, I drive race cars, so we had the idea to do something together here again,” said Abt. “Over time, this event with exciting racing cars from several marques and eras has turned into a hot spot of the motor racing scene. The drivers spend a great day together, there’s no competition pressure, and we give the fans a great show.”

Photo credit: Audi

In difficult conditions around freezing point, the two-time DTM champion René Rast shared driving duties in his Audi RS 5 DTM #33 with Frenchman Benoît Tréluyer. Because the DTM-Audi lacked the required traction last year on ice, the rims were now twelve centimeters narrower and significantly slimmer studded tires were fitted. “After we had adjusted the setup for the soft, deep surface and to the special tires, my run in the DTM-Audi over snow was huge fun for the fans,” reported Rast.

Photo credit: Audi

The spectacular display of the Audi brand was made perfect thanks to Stig Blomqvist. The former Audi factory driver, who won the World Rally Championship in 1984 in an Audi, piloted the historic Audi Sport Quattro. Benoît Tréluyer drove another classic: in the skijoring event, the 2012 FIA World Endurance Champion towed the 1987 slalom World Champion Frank Wörndl with a historic DKW F91. Wörndl was on Willy Bogner’s original 1960 Olympic skis.