The local arm of German luxury car maker Audi has confirmed that it will be introducing a range of electric cars to South Africa in 2022. As the world heads toward EVs, many South Africans are reluctant to accept the electrification of motoring. Audi hopes to change this mindset, with the local debut of three models.
Available overseas for quite some time, the E-Tron SUV will be made available, with two states of tune offering varying performance and range figures. The base-model 50 - with 230 kW and 540 Nm of torque - uses a 71,2 kWh battery which allows it to sprint to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and achieve a claimed range, on a full charge, of 341 km. The slightly more powerful 55 (with 265 kW and 561 Nm) is slightly faster to 100 km/h (6.6 seconds) but has a superior range of 440 km, thanks to a 95 kWh battery.
Fancy a bit more performance? The E-Tron will also be sold as a Sportback, available only as a 55 derivative or sportier 'S' model. Using the same layour as the conventional SUV, the 55 sports the same performance capabilities but with a slightly higher claimed range (453 km). With a 0-100 km/h time of just 5.1 seconds, the swift 'S' derivative has 370 kW and 808 N.m of silent power on offer - the downside is a slightly reduced electric range of 378 km.
Sitting at the summit of Ingolstadt's EV line-up is the sleek and elegant E-Tron GT and the range-topping RS E-Tron GT. The regular model, with a considerable 350 kW and 630 Nm of torque, sends power to all four wheels via a 93,4 kWh battery. According to Audi, the figures are momentarily increased (to 390 kW and 640 Nm) in boost mode - 0-100 km/h is dispatched in just 4.1 seconds, with an impressive claimed range of 488 km.
Those wanting even more performance from their electric Audi will have to opt for the RS model. Using the same battery as the conventional E-Tron GT, the RS-model receives 440 kW and 830 Nm of torque. This cuts the 0-100 km/h sprint down to 3.3 seconds, while still retaining nearly the same claimed range figure - 472 km.
Expect Audi to make announcements regarding pricing, optional extras and other pertinent information closer to the launch in 2022.
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