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A new software update has added up to an additional 20 kilometers to the range of Audi e-tron 2019 & 2020 models. This means Audi owners can experience increased efficiency the same as new models and the update can simply be installed as your local Audi Service Centre.
Due to the release time, the current model Audi e-tron 55 quattro1 can now travel up to 441 kilometres on a single battery charge (WLTP cycle). The increased range was a positive result of modified hardware and optimized software.
Other existing vehicles can now also benefit from this efficiency enhancement from the software features. Additionally, the update expands the usable capacity of the high-voltage battery. Therefore, the 95kWh battery delivers more net useable power which then translates into increased range.
In addition to the battery capacity, the new software also optimizes the control of the front electric motor. In normal driving mode, the motor attached to the rear axle is responsible for propulsion. For improved efficiency, the front electric motor is now almost completely disconnected and powered off – and only when more power is needed do both motors come into play. This makes it possible to even more effectively exploit the major advantage of the asynchronous motor concept, i.e., currentless operation without electrical drag losses.
Furthermore, the update also improves cooling. The highly flexible thermal management system, which consists of four separate circuits, regulates the temperature of the high-voltage components even more efficiently. Modifying the control system made it possible to reduce the volume flow rates in the coolant circuit, thus reducing energy consumption. The cooling system is the basis for fast DC charging, long battery life, and consistent driving performance, even under high loads.
The first fully electric car from the brand with the four rings has been manufactured at Audi’s net-zero carbon-neutral site in Brussels since the end of 2018. By this spring, the e-tron had already surpassed 100,000 units sold. In Norway, the model was even the best-selling car across all drive types last year.
The success of the Audi e-tron is largely due to its suitability for everyday use. In addition to plenty of interior space and exceptional comfort, it’s the range of the e-tron Sportback 55 quattro2 and e-tron 55 quattro1 that plays a decisive role – with ranges of up to 453 kilometers (WLTP) and up to 441 kilometers (WLTP), respectively, longer distances can be covered with ease. The Audi e-tron also stands out for its impressive charging speeds. Ideally, the car needs just under ten minutes at the charging point to achieve a range of around 110 kilometers; the Audi e-tron 55 quattro1 reaches the 80 percent mark after around 30 minutes. In this context, customers of the e-tron Charging Service can now select from more than 275,000 charging points in 26 European countries. The e-tron route planner shows the route to the nearest charging station. The system assists the driver by scheduling the charging sessions in as needed – and always doing so when the next destination is out of range. An intelligent algorithm calculates the fastest route, takes traffic and route data into account, considers the driver’s driving style, calculates how long it will take to charge the vehicle, and includes it in the total driving time.
The software update for all Audi e-tron 55 quattro1 production vehicles built between mid-September 2018 (model year 2019) and the end of November 2019 (model year 2020) can now be installed free of charge at your local Audi Service Centre. If you would like more information about electric driving or wish to explore the new Audi e-tron range, please click here.
