Audi E-tron long-term test: report 4

The car Audi E-tron 55 quattro Run by Allan Muir, managing editor

Why it’s here To see whether Audi has succeeded in raising the bar for electric vehicles with its advanced Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X rival

Needs to Pamper its occupants as thoroughly as any regular luxury SUV and be able to cover virtually any distance without undue recharging concerns

Mileage 2882 List price £71,520 (before £3500 gov't grant) Target Price £71,520 Price as tested £78,245 Test range 220 miles Official range 241 miles

30 July 2019 – Running on empty 

Most owners of electric cars will, quite sensibly, recharge their cars’ batteries well before they become fully depleted so they don’t get stranded somewhere, but on occasion I’ve deliberately run my Audi e-tron almost down to zero, just to see how it responds. 

‘Low battery charge’ messages begin to appear in the digital instrument panel with around 50 miles of indicated range remaining, accompanied by offers to find a convenient charging point. Then, at 30 miles, they’re joined by a permanently glowing yellow battery symbol. With just 10 miles’ range left, the battery symbol starts alternating with a little yellow tortoise emblem – a cute touch – and the car starts capping its performance quite rapidly. 

I’ve got as low as two miles’ indicated range to go, doing short runs within easy reach of home, before losing my nerve, at which point the power output from the two electric motors has been reduced to 25% – although the car doesn’t feel as strangled as you might expect, at town speeds at least.

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