**Little Warning - long and potentially boring review + pictures**
Hi Guys,
So if you're following this thread you'll know I had the e-tron over the weekend. I'm going to sum up my thoughts as best I can.
Starting with the bad news:
- Range
The e-tron is rated at an average of 31 miles for EV alone, I wasn't able to test this to the fullest extent (as it wasn't fully charged, and I wasn't able to) but I'm told that at best you can expect 25 miles. This is weather dependant and obviously driving style, also A/C, Radio, Sat Nav, Lights, Heated Seats etc all count. I was a little disappointed by this, especially as my commute is bang on 30 miles, I was hoping for a free ride every day!
- Economy in "Auto"
I played with all the modes and found that in auto mode, on the minor A and B roads, I wasn't able to extract more than 60mpg. I'm sure this is better if I was a) on a more familiar road and could anticipate it and b) had more charge in the batteries to start.
- Braking
You sure feel the weight when throwing the anchor out the window, especially when I drove in my A3 saloon and jumped straight into the e-tron. I'm pretty sure I needed another 10 metres or so to slow from 40-50mph.
That's pretty much all I had for the down sides. So onto the things I loved:
- Speed/Power in EV mode
Surprisingly, it feels like you're driving a modest hatchback. Comparable to my better half's Ford C-max. It gets better in Auto mode as the ICE will cut in to give you a blast off the line.
- Space/Comfort
It felt no different to any A3 I've driven before, which is kind of the point of this car. Boot space is no worse than a S3 and no space in the cabin is compromised. Car handling is a little worse and laboured but then I'm not buying this car for its sportiness! The standard addition of Tech Pack and LED lights is pretty awesome too. My spec also had leather/alcantara heated seats and the Interior Light Pack (no mono.pur however).
- DIS
The Driver's Information Display is enhanced by having a graphic of the car and how it is using/collecting energy. This made me smile a lot and led me to even shout "I'm creating power!" like some sort of divine being. It was pleasing to see the electric miles rise occasionally!
- Noise
Simply put, the lack of it. In EV mode it's silent until the road noise is heard at 45mph+. There is an initial hum like a tube train when you move from a standstill, but that's nice to know it's actually working!
All in all, I loved it. It's a great step into what felt like the future. It is also leaps and bounds ahead of a couple of other EV's I have driven (Prius and Nissan Leaf). Also if you are not fussed about the basic spec and have somewhere to charge it, I don't see the reason to buy the equivalent TDi, bar 100 litres of boot space. I was asked if it was better than my Saloon, I can't say it was a step upwards, but it is definitely an exciting step sidewards. My enquiries are ongoing to see what PCP deal I can achieve.
Now to some selected images I took with the iPhone, I tried to concentrate on the things that were different from the standard A3/S3. Also a picture of the boot with the cable bag inside and with my daughters pram (the boot closed too!)