Audi Launches Electric Car 'e-tron 55 Quattro'... Premium Electric Vehicle Competition Intensifies

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Audi launched its brand's first pure electric full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), the 'Audi e-tron 55 Quattro,' in the domestic market on the 1st. Priced at 117 million KRW, competition in the premium high-performance electric vehicle market, where Tesla's 'Model X,' Mercedes-Benz's 'EQC,' and Jaguar's 'I-Pace' have entered, is expected to heat up further.

On the same day, Audi Korea held an e-tron launch event at the InterContinental Hotel in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and officially started sales. The e-tron is Audi's first pure electric SUV, which was world-premiered in San Francisco, USA, in September 2018, and sales began in the European market from March last year.

The e-tron model making its debut in Korea is the 'Audi e-tron 55 Quattro,' equipped with two powerful electric motors on the front and rear axles of the vehicle, delivering a combined maximum output of 360 horsepower (265 kW, 408 horsepower·300 kW in boost mode) and a maximum torque of 57.2 kg·m (67.7 kg·m in boost mode). The top speed is 200 km/h (speed limited for safety), and it takes 6.6 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h (5.7 seconds in boost mode).

The e-tron is equipped with an electric all-wheel-drive system called electronic Quattro, and its 95 kWh lithium-ion battery consists of 12 battery cells and 36 battery cell modules. It supports both slow (AC) and fast (DC) charging at home, public, or Audi network-installed charging stations. During fast charging, it can charge up to 80% in about 30 minutes with a maximum output of 150 kW. Audi designed a safe battery placement structure to withstand high-speed collisions, and the centrally low-positioned battery contributes to safety, sporty driving, and precise handling.

Additionally, it is the first mass-produced pure electric vehicle to adopt a newly developed brake-by-wire system, which can recover energy through the electric motor in over 90% of deceleration situations.

Jeff Mannering, Head of Audi Division at Audi Volkswagen Korea, is participating in the e-tron launch event at the InterContinental Hotel in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 1st, introducing the new vehicle.

From a design perspective, Audi took on a new challenge with the e-tron. The vehicle's front features an octagonal single-frame front grille with vertical struts, along with door sills and black inlays indicating the battery location, and a diffuser without exhaust pipes, visually emphasizing its identity as a pure electric SUV.

Also, the virtual side mirrors, applied for the first time in a mass-produced vehicle, reduce the vehicle's width by about 15 cm compared to traditional external mirrors, considering aerodynamics and futuristic design. This allows the e-tron to boast a drag coefficient of 0.27, the highest level in the SUV segment.

Various conveniences stand out as well. The vehicle is equipped with ultrasonic sensors that measure the distance between the vehicle and objects, displaying it on the MMI display to assist with precise parking through the 'front/rear parking assist system,' 'surround view display,' and '360-degree camera.' Safety features have also been enhanced, including 'Audi Side Assist,' 'Pre Sense 360°,' 'Intersection Assist,' and 'Virtual Engine Sound' (AVAS), which detect vehicles approaching blind spots or from behind during driving and send warning signals via the side mirrors.

Audi offers an 8-year or 160,000 km battery warranty for the e-tron. After-sales service is provided at 15 nationwide e-tron specialized service centers staffed with technicians trained in e-tron service and repair courses and equipped with dedicated equipment, with plans to expand to a total of 21 service centers by the end of 2020.

Additionally, to enhance charging convenience for e-tron customers, Audi has installed dedicated 150 kW fast chargers at 41 dealerships and service centers nationwide, with plans to complete installation of a total of 35 chargers by the end of 2020. All customers who complete delivery this year will receive a charging credit worth approximately 1 million KRW valid for five years, along with free installation of home chargers. Customers without home charger installation will receive a charging credit worth approximately 2 million KRW valid for three years. Furthermore, the e-Car Service Plus program offers various regular inspections and consumable replacement services for five years, and customers can purchase an extended warranty product for an additional two years beyond the basic three-year warranty at a special price.

The price of the 'Audi e-tron 55 Quattro' is 117 million KRW (including VAT).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.