Audi e-tron SUV updated with fresh tech and tweaked trim-levels
New infotainment system as well as a revised trim-level structure and some new optional extras for electric SUV
Audi has launched an updated version of the all-electric e-tron SUV, which has been outfitted with a range of technology and specification tweaks, as well as a revised trim-level structure.
The revised model range is available to order now, with prices starting from £59,900 for the entry-level 50 quattro variant.
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The most noticeable technology upgrade for the e-tron is the addition of the Volkswagen Group’s latest infotainment hardware, dubbed MIB 3. Audi says it offers ten times the processing power of its outgoing touchscreen and adds support for a range of additional upgrades, including the brand’s latest navigation and voice recognition systems.
The e-tron’s sat-nav system now has the ability to learn the driver’s on-road habits, offering navigation suggestions based on previously driven routes while taking into account traffic conditions. Everything from the driver’s phonebook to the car’s climate control system can now be operated using voice commands, and the revised e-tron’s infotainment system can also produce text messages via dictation.
The e-tron range is presented in a new five-tier trim-level structure – with the existing Technik, Sport and S line models being joined by high-spec Black Edition and Vorsprung variants.
Standard equipment for the new Audi e-tron Black Edition includes 21-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, Matrix LED headlamps and tweaked LED tail lights. It also shares the same body kit as the S line model, while swapping the chrome brightwork and bumper trim for gloss black replacements.
The revised flagship e-tron Vorsprung edition builds on the Black Edition with 22-inch wheels, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround sound system, electrically closing doors and a heated steering wheel. There’s also a brace of safety technology, including a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
Audi has also fitted new digital Matrix LED headlamps. The company says the latest headlight tech uses one million micromirrors, each of which can be adjusted up to 5,000 times per second to project light onto the road or reduce it to avoid dazzling oncoming road users. The lights also automatically adjust when the driver is changing lanes on the motorway, to keep a puddle of light under the e-tron’s front wheels.
Audi is offering all e-tron buyers a free 12-month subscription to the brand’s in-house e-tron charging service, along with 1,000 miles-worth of free electricity. The offer is open to buyers of both the entry-level 71kWh model and the range-topping 95kWh variant throughout 2020.
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