As Audi’s first electric car, the e-tron has proven to be a very important model for the German brand.
There’s more here at play than just sticking a battery under the bonnet though, with a plethora of cutting-edge tech deployed to showcase the firm’s capabilities. Here are seven of the coolest features you’ll find on the Audi e-tron…
‘Virtual’ door mirrors
We live in a world where even door mirrors seem to be old-fashioned these days, and this is shown with the e-tron’s ‘virtual’ units. It’s the first series production car to be fitted with such a feature, and while it might seem a bit gimmicky, they actually work surprisingly well.
To reduce drag, the mirrors are replaced by small cameras which are fixed to the car’s A-pillar, and are significantly smaller than traditional door mirrors. The cameras then relay the images to either end of the dashboard, while the cameras and screens are easy to adjust, too, to ensure the best vision possible. Despite being an optional feature, the majority of e-tron buyers have opted for the digital mirrors.
Ability to rapid charge
The rate at which an electric car can charge might not seem particularly exciting, but live with an EV for a short time and you’ll soon realise how important it to bring that battery back to full whack.
This is where the ability to rapid charge with the e-tron becomes intriguing, as the 95kWh batter can be charged with a DC current at up to 150kw. Though several models now offer such capability, it still means you can charge the e-tron’s battery from flat to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes using a 150kW charger. While few public chargers can currently charge at such a rate, the e-tron is geared for the coming years when these ultra-fast chargers will be rolled out further.
Twin touchscreen setup
Mimicking the same interior that you’ll find in models such as the Audi A8 and facelifted Audi Q7, the e-tron comes as standard with a superb twin touchscreen setup. It essentially gets rid of the need to have most traditional buttons – making the cabin feel superbly upmarket and modern. The top touchscreen acts as a traditional infotainment system (controlling the media and sat nav, for example) while the lower screen controls the climate and seat heating.
Virtual Cockpit brings in a digital driving experience
The Virtual Cockpit has been a trademark Audi feature for several years, and it’s still an awesome piece of tech.
Replacing all traditional dials, the system is configurable and features sharp graphics. With the standard system, you can flick between interfaces anyway, but the optional ‘Plus’ system adds an extra one that showcases the way the powertrain distributes its power. It’s one for the nerds, sure, but it’s cool to see.
E-route planner means you’ll struggle to run out of charge
As part of the standard ‘MMI navigation plus’ system, the e-tron comes with an exceptionally useful e-route planner. Thanks to a buil-in Wi-Fi hotspot, it can help to find the nearest available public car chargers, while if you’re undertaking a longer journey, it can highlight both the best route for efficiency, as well as highlighting the best places to stop and charge. It can also look at how long you will have to leave the car to charge at each location, too.
Option to upgrade your e-tron throughout ownership
Thanks to ‘over-the air’ updates, the e-tron is able to be improved by the firm as time passes — without the need for physically updating the car. Further still, it’s the first Audi model that customers can add extra functions to their car online for as long as they have it. One highlight is the ability to upgrade the standard LED headlights to clever Matrix LED headlights down the line.
Advanced driver assistance features
Undoubtedly one of the fastest growing areas in the automotive tech industry, driver assistance features have really grown in importance in recent years.
The e-tron is particularly advanced, as it has the capability to predict the road ahead as part of its adaptive cruise control system. Known as ‘efficiency assist’, the e-tron’s many radars and camera-based safety systems can monitor the traffic ahead and adjust the speed accordingly, while it also slows down for corners – cleverly monitoring when is best to brake and accelerate for maximum efficiency.
