From the same “factory” that produces the famous Audi R8, masterpieces are once again born from skilled hands on the Böllinger Höfe factory line. The e-tron is Audi’s key entry into the electric car game in Vietnam.
Impressive sporty design
With its bold design, it’s hard to believe that Audi’s first electric model is the distant cousin of the Porsche Taycan. Both models are based on the Volkswagen J1 platform from the parent company and share many common components. Both the Taycan and e-tron are now available in the Vietnamese market as official imports.
However, unlike the Taycan, the e-tron clearly inherits the sporty design of the R8, with highly recognizable details from the four-ring brand. Also because of its design inheritance from the R8, e-tron models have surprisingly aerodynamic characteristics with a drag coefficient of only 0.24 Cd.
First, we must mention the hexagonal grille – the “uniform” face that almost every current generation model in Audi’s lineup has. Next is the intelligent full LED lighting system with a sharp, three-dimensional design – also an “Audi” characteristic.
Of course, the electric car still has its own unique features, with the most prominent being the solid, aerodynamically-designed front grille, no longer needed to cool the engine like fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
On the front face, the hexagonal design details are now decorative vanes. However, the air intakes positioned on the front sides are retained to cool the tires and braking system. The airflow that moves from the front and passes through the wheel arches continues to be guided along the body thanks to a longitudinal slit running along the door towards the rear.
In Vietnam, Audi e-tron GT models are equipped with 245/45R20 tires on a 5-spoke dual design to optimize aerodynamics, wrapped in 4 sporty Pirelli tires, ensuring the ability to grip the road when operating at high speeds – up to over 200 km/h.
On the front sides, the charging ports of e-tron are positioned on both sides of the vehicle. These two charging ports are compatible with AC bidirectional charging, while the side charging port on the right side is also integrated with the ability to connect to the DC fast charger.
At the rear, the Audi e-tron is designed with a sloping and straight rear end, following the direction of sports coupes – extremely attractive yet also contributing to the vehicle’s aerodynamics to optimize performance. An added detail is the integrated rear wing in the trunk lid, with a sporty look that cannot be ignored.
The rear light cluster is also arranged in a three-dimensional angular design – in line with the front lighting language. A horizontal LED strip connects the two taillights, creating a unified appearance with the beautiful “Audi” chase effect.
In an electric vehicle, there is no exhaust system like conventional gasoline/diesel vehicles. Instead, the air splitter on the rear bumper ensures that the Audi e-tron maintains a complete sports appearance and impressive aerodynamic ability.
Luxurious and modern interior space
If looking at an Audi e-tron can evoke emotions, stepping inside the car will definitely continue to elevate that feeling – encapsulated in one word: modern!
Capturing the true essence of an Audi model, the interior of the e-tron is neatly and simply arranged. The glossy black trims on the dashboard and door panels are designed in contrast with the bright metallic accents. Meanwhile, almost the entire cabin area is covered in a dark, luxurious tone with high-quality leather.
In front of the passengers are a pair of large screens: on the driver’s side, the Audi Virtual-cockpit plus digital instrument cluster is located behind the steering wheel, and the infotainment screen is positioned in the middle of the dashboard.
The steering wheel is flat-bottomed with large paddle shifters – a characteristic of high-performance sports cars. Below the center armrest, the aircraft-style electronic shifter commonly seen in Audi models has been replaced with a very sporty lever/button that has a Lamborghini influence – a “distant cousin” brand of Audi.
In the RS e-tron GT version, the car is equipped with sport seats upholstered in striking red leather. Meanwhile, the e-tron GT model wears more understated black seats. Audi chooses to use eco-friendly materials across all its e-tron models.
The car is equipped with a 3-zone automatic climate control system with an “air quality” package, a panoramic sunroof above the heads of the passengers, and an interior ambient lighting system. With the advantage of using the VW J1 platform specifically designed for electric vehicles, the e-tron eliminates the need for space for an engine-transmission unit – this allows passengers with a height of up to 2.1m to still sit comfortably inside.
In addition, the e-tron is also equipped with prominent driving assistance systems including:
- Night vision assist;
- Lane departure warning;
- Head-up display;
- Audi Drive modes and parking assist with a 360-degree camera
- Especially at night, the Audi laser light in the form of an X doubles the illumination range from a speed of 70km/h.
Supercar-level performance
The Audi e-tron is available in Vietnam in two versions, both equipped with dual electric motors placed on the front and rear axles. The Audi e-tron GT quattro has a maximum power output of 350 kW, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds and reaching a limited top speed of 245 km/h.
Meanwhile, with a more impressive power output – at 440 kW, the Audi RS e-tron GT quattro can achieve the same performance in just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of up to 250 km/h – comparable to current high-performance supercars. Especially, the electric motor on each Audi e-tron GT has the ability to store energy and “release power” up to 530 horsepower (equivalent to 390 kW) in 2.5 seconds in boost mode.
The Audi e-tron GT in the Vietnamese market can travel up to 488 km on a full charge. The car has a high-power charging capacity of up to 270 kW, which means it only takes 5 minutes to travel 100 km or quickly charge from 5 to 80% in just over 20 minutes at fast 800V charging stations.
In Vietnam, Audi e-tron GT quattro models are already available, while the RS e-tron GT model is also ready for reservation. All e-tron models have 8 exterior color options and are covered by a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty; the battery system is warranted for 8 years or 160,000 km.
Together with the Porsche Taycan, VinFast VF, and soon the Mercedes-Benz EQS, the Hyundai Ioniq5 – Kia EV6 duo, and the Hongqi eHS9, the Audi e-tron GT will create a vibrant and diverse electric car market in Vietnam. With rapid and strong growth, the electric vehicle market will undoubtedly flourish, benefiting domestic consumers.
Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)
Photos: Hồng Đức
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