Audi e-tron arrives in NZ
Following the reveal of four left-hand drive Audi e-trons in New Zealand in earlier this year, Audi has officially launched its game-changing Audi e-tron to the premium electric vehicle market.
As part of the launch, 10 journalists put the all-electric newcomer to the ultimate test in some of New Zealand’s most extreme terrains, marking the first zero-emissions public ice drive experience in the Southern Hemisphere.
From the Queenstown streets and winding country roads, to snow-covered mountain passes, the two-day itinerary set out to be an electric vehicle test drive like no other. In fact, it’s the first zero-emission ice drive experience to take place in the Southern Hemisphere.
Navigating the 88 kilometres from Queenstown to Clyde Dam, drivers tested the vehicle’s dynamic handling, performance and off-road capability via the twisting roads of the Kawarau Gorge and Hawkesburn Road.
The day was completed with a tour of the internal workings of Clyde Dam, connecting the Audi e-tron to one of New Zealand’s largest renewable energy sources. An exclusive, alpine ice drive experience the following day put the all-wheel-drive system through its paces at the award-winning, Southern Hemisphere proving grounds.
Audi New Zealand, general manager, Dean Sheed, says: “This event was a fitting way to exhibit the capabilities of the Audi e-tron. This all-electric vehicle represents the future of Audi, combining quintessential Audi technology and performance with the latest in electric innovation. The result is an unprecedented electric vehicle, fit for any New Zealand adventure with its on-road, off-road and towing capabilities.”
The Audi e-tron sets out to revolutionise the electric vehicle category in New Zealand. Carefully engineered to ensure high levels of efficiency and safety, the lithium-ion battery is at the heart of the Audi e-tron, delivering an exceptional range of over 400 kilometres.
Built to perform, two electric motors with peak electrical output and boost of 300kW, quickly accelerate the SUV from zero to 100kph in 5.7 seconds.
The latest in Audi intelligence and driving assistance systems make driving more efficient and intuitive.
The standard efficiency assists in combination with the adaptive cruise assist, brake and accelerate the Audi e-tron predictively for optimal safety, while predictive tips and automatic recuperation make for a more economical drive.
Backing the assist systems is the central driver assistance controller, which continuously computes an exact model of the vehicle’s surroundings, fusing the driver and vehicle seamlessly with its environment.
The Audi e-tron is available now at Audi authorised dealerships across the country priced from $148,500 + optional extras and on-road-costs. For more information, please refer to www.audi.co.nz.
