Does The Audi e-Tron's DISAPPOINTING Range PROVE Today’s German Engineers AREN’T What They Used To Be?

One of 2018's biggest head scratchers came to us from Audi. No, it wasn't the A8 that looks more like a Lincoln with a bad face.

It's the all-new e-tron sport-utility vehicle.

I remember Agent 001 and I just discussing this vehicle and wondering why anyone would even want one. It's not that big, its estimated range wasn't anything to write home about and its performance was milquetoast at best.

Hell, I even wrote a very blunt story about it.

This week the official numbers were published, and, guess what? They're meh. That's because Audi is saying it will only get 204 miles on a full charge. Remember, that's assuming optimal conditions.

Having said that, this leaves us wondering: Are today's German engineers NOT what they used to be? For years, the German products have been looked to when it comes to paving the path of innovation. From what we can tell, that's simply not the case — at least with Audi's all-new e-tron.

Just 204 miles (328 km) of EPA range

We were waiting for the first series produced all-electric Audi e-tron for quite some time (deliveries in the U.S. from May) and were hoping that such a company will deliver range and performance comparable to Tesla Model X, but after the most recent announcement of EPA test results, one should be disappointed.

The Audi e-tron’s energy consumption of just 74 MPGe (455 Wh/mile or 283 Wh/km) on the combined cycle is the worst result on the market, even behind the Jaguar I-PACE. Will it negatively impact sales? We think so...

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TomM - 4/11/2019 4:49:10 AM

+3 Boost

THe question is - at what "range" are customers satisfied with their EVs

Obviously - until there is Instant recharging - EV's will not replace ICE vehicles for people driving LONG distances - so I still believe they will be used primarily in Suburb to city work driving and back - and local errand trips.

A 200 mile range may be the "magic" figure people will be happy with. There are few people who live 100 miles away from their work - we are talking a 2 hour commute in most areas because some will be in city. The Bolt gets about the same range as well.

If I want to drive to Florida from New Jersey I would never use an EV.

rockreid - 4/11/2019 6:37:34 AM

-6 Boost

Btw, Porsche Taycan also uses this same compromised platform as the e-Tron, meaning this platform was made to house an ICE engine. This platform is not a dedicated EV unit so any designs will be instantly crippled in regards to battery placement and layout, front frunk area, and overall proportions.

Expect the Taycan to also disappoint.

MDarringer - 4/11/2019 8:36:32 AM

+3 Boost

WRONG: "The upcoming Taycan, and further derivatives like the Taycan Cross Turismo, is based on a dedicated EV platform code-named the J1."

mre30 - 4/11/2019 7:04:30 AM

+3 Boost

Unlike Tesla, every decision that a normal automaker would make is grounded in the cost-benefit analysis.

In this case, lots of VW-Group/Porsche brainpower was expended to decide:

(a) what is the appropriate size battery for the segment and type of vehicle (i.e. cost of batteries, weight of batteries, impact of batteries on styling and passenger room, and finally safety [how to secure the batteries to minimize that embarassing exploding fire-ball in the Target parking lot scenario]);

(b) what do the customers want/need and at what threshold will they prioritize having an enoormous batter versus the considerations in (a), and finally

(c) what is the best balance of battery size/complexity that will allow a vendor to provide a steady supply for the vehicle.

Unlike Tesla (who seems to "wing-it" all the time - Falcon Doors? Really?) other automakers do not "wing it".

vdiv - 4/11/2019 11:14:26 PM

+1 Boost

rockreid - 4/11/2019 7:42:04 AM

-4 Boost

Ummm, the e-Tron uses a 95kW size battery, right at the same size as a new Tesla Model S w/ 100kw. Except the Model S gets 335 miles range. do the math. The older discontinued 90 kW Model S range was 303 miles.

What Audi has produced using their 95kW battery is pathetic, plain and simple.

MDarringer - 4/11/2019 8:36:10 AM

0 Boost

How much did Elon pay you for that comment?

hangtime010 - 4/11/2019 3:12:34 PM

+2 Boost

rockreid - the E-Tron has a 95 kWh battery, but only uses between 82 and 87 kWh to maintain longevity and sustainable performance.

MDarringer - 4/11/2019 8:16:23 AM

+1 Boost

I think the Germans are eminently capable as engineers, but the person that set the range parameter should gave been aiming for a 500 mile range or a 5 minute recharge rather than a class trailing range. The Taycan's rumored stats seem entirely better.

absent - 4/11/2019 8:41:11 AM

+1 Boost

Still some of the best automotive engineers in the World but hostile political climate in Germany recently and push toward socialism forced a lot of them to seek employment elsewhere.
Now, they contribute to Hyundai and others......

Truthy - 4/11/2019 11:53:15 AM

+1 Boost

Their are many resources you could utilize to confirm the Taycan is a dedicated EV platform.
You and the other Elon worshippers posting here are not pro EV, just pro-Tesla.

ColMosby - 4/11/2019 12:58:35 PM

0 Boost

Why not publish an article written by someone knowledgeable about EVs?
The German designed Porsche Taycan will get roughly 300 miles of range -
I don't have to point out any other German EVs to rip to shreeds the silly notion that Germans don't have the engineers that can design an EV.
One of the really dumb articles I've ever come across.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 4/11/2019 3:20:38 PM

+3 Boost

It is a first generation product for Audi. It is to be expected on some level. It will be interesting to see what the other VAG brands come up with.

atc98092 - 4/11/2019 3:35:31 PM

+5 Boost

German engineers are the same they've always been. Arrogantly telling us what we need, rather than listening to what we want. Been that way since the Apollo space program.

pdperry23 - 4/11/2019 6:04:46 PM

+5 Boost

These comments by Tesla haters are hilarious. Scrambling to make sense and excuses for this disappointing metric. Plain and simple... big miss and not competitive! Still waiting for the competition to catch up!

hangtime010 - 4/12/2019 10:03:54 AM

+1 Boost

pdperry23 - I suppose the question is this. What is the definition of catching up, is it sales, range or something else?

hangtime010 - 4/12/2019 10:19:15 AM

+1 Boost

just an additional thought. when a manufacturer does catch-up or surpasses Tesla, I'm sure the Tesla fanatics will have a new definition ready to say/show how far behind those brands are.