Audi e-tron | Fully Charged

[@RobbDizzl]

Audis marketing team truly has some balls. To proactively push that “lots of weight can be an advantage”-argument, that doesn’t make any sense at all, is just mind boggling to me.

[@snviper]

It is when you are regeneratively braking. But only then. They have lots of experience in this sector from their hybrid LeMans cars. It's basically them saying it's the only thing they are good at in the EV game.

[@MrYoursoup]

@@snviper no, it's BS. Yes, you regenerate more, but you also use more power to accelerate to the same speed.

[@krusher74]

@@MrYoursoup you regen more from your heavy car. but then you use more to get its heavy ass up the hill in the first place. its basic physics. im surprised jonny did not catch them on that

[@energiewender143]

Audi was too cheap to construct this car in aluminium (or aluminum for Americans). This car is build from steele - not very high end. So you get a weight punishment and need to rust-proof it. Also tooling and production cost might be higher versus an aluminium construction.

[@simonm1447]

@@energiewender143 Steel has also advantages - it can be made with a higher strenght. The Audi Space Frame, used in the A8, is built with a material mix of steel, aluminum and carbon fiber material. Corrosion is only a problem if the manufacturer wants to save money, if they invest the money for a good rust protection a car made of steel can also last long.

[@21335186z]

You could take a Ferrari on that "off - road" track.

[@xavichuvy9047]

Exactly my thoughts.

[@EleanorPeterson]

It's a nature reserve, with roads made for ordinary cars; Jonny did say he wasn't rock-crawling. If he wasn't being filmed and supervised by Audi 'minders' I'm sure he'd have thrashed the nuts off it, got it stuck, trashed the under-pan, etc. Jonny's a complete nutter, but he knows when he has to behave himself. He doesn't want to acquire a reputation as an awkward d**khead like Jeremy Clarkson.

[@morosis82]

To be fair, there was a section with a raised centre that a Ferrari would not like, but generally agree.

[@joopvanroy6599]

I like Fully Charged, and I like all EV's. But I kind of miss the critical points of view that (for example) Bjorn Nyland provides. You're testing an EV in hot conditions while for most of NW Europe the cold weather performance is much more important. EV's do fine in the heat. Not so much in the cold. Will you do real-life testing with the I-pace, E-tron and Model 3? That would be awesome, and I think a lot of people would like to see this!

[@thankyouforyourcompliance7386]

Nextmove in Germany did a parallel test of driving an Etron, iPace and old Model X. Check KZbin.

[@robhaitch5544]

That’s where Audi hosted the event. Nothing any reviewer could do about that.

[@tomquimby8669]

real world tests on this channel no I don't think so, its all about light weight non critical reporting, mostly inaccurately, once you travel with Bjorn everything else pales beside his excellent tests

[@redxsage]

Yes, *Bjørn Nyland* is awesome. This is true. But he is not yet a paid member of the *FullyCharged* crew. That would be a nice addition. Besides, this was a press junket, organized entirely by AUDI, not themselves, to show off their cars in the best possible light. Dude, when someone invites you to the United Arab Emirates, you *GO!* It's a nice place to visit, especially after months of gray, soggy, chilly Winter in the UK. You don't say, _"Oh, that's cool and all... But we'd much rather do a harsh weather 'Real World' test against direct competitors in Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, or Canada instead. Maybe New Zealand too if we have time..."_ They would never answer your phone calls again. I don't even care for AUDI cars all that much. Nothing German really. And I would have gone in a heartbeat upon being invited. Even though the e-tron seems like an overweight electrified Estate/Wagon yawn inducing bore-mobile. I'd have loved the trip though!

[@brightfuture4874]

It’s good to see Audi, VW, and Porsche all sharing their electric platforms. P.P.E. For the larger cars and the M.E.B. ID platform for smaller cars.

[@rogerstarkey5390]

I think you'll find this is neither PPE nor MEB.

[@2nd3rd1st]

Why they named it Premium Platform Electric PPE rather than Premium Electric Platform PEP, when they already have a Modular Electric Platform MEP, is a mystery to me.

[@mkkm945]

This has been the VW group way for decades now. In gas cars there's the MQB (smaller) and MLB (larger). Which is why a VW Golf = Skoda Octavia = Audi A4 in terms of a lot of shared components including engines. Finishes and styling are different.

[@M20B25-User]

P.P.E. has been postponed recently because they found out that they cannot compete with Teslas latest Model 3. After reverse engineering (taking apart everything) a Model 3 at Audi they were shocked about how good this car really is.

[@2nd3rd1st]

@@M20B25-User How old is this interview then

[@MarcCoteMusic]

Jonny Smith is my favourite car reviewer. He is knowledgeable, not only about the vehicle he's reviewing, but all similar cars and competitors. He's fair but doesn't shy away from pointing out possible problems, flaws and issues. I also like that Jonny offers his personal opinions on the vehicles he's reviewing but makes it clear that they are opinions, not facts. While I really enjoy the videos Robert makes - Fully Charged is one of my favourite channels - I do hope that it will be Jonny who does all vehicle reviews. If I could ask for one thing it would be more news segments from both Robert and Jonny... they're great together. All hail Faraday Past!

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Marc Coté Very kind remarks Marc. I try to deliver both fact and opinion, but ultimately it’s up to the viewers to decide the verdict. Always want to make more films with Robert. And yes, hail #faradaypast

[@MarcCoteMusic]

@@TheLateBrakeShow - Thanks, Jonny. Keep up the good work... and feel free to upload more frequently to your own channel when you get the time. Also, I just discovered Smith and Sniff... fun stuff. Out of curiosity, is there any chance of Fifth Gear coming back? I miss the show.

[@johnford3825]

How about test driving at the other extreme condition. Sub zero conditions in Finland. I would like to know how these vehicles perform in cold climate conditions.

[@kuba729]

Yup, hot climate give them more range :)

[@WickedMuis]

That's one of the biggest concerns I've heard from someone in Norway: range and efficiency goes to shit while the vehicle is in -20 C.

[@johnford3825]

Wicked Mouse it is important to know what variation in range we can expect throughout the years driving and what effect the cold/hot cycling will have on the life of the battery. I don’t want to be the test dummy for a remote global company.

[@SMABEM]

I have a Nissan Leaf 2018. I live in Canada where it frequently gets to -20 C. The fact is an electric heater is a significant draw on the battery. Just think about the cost of running an electric heater in your home. So running a heater *significantly* reduces the range in a sub zero winter. Potentially up to 50%. This is why it is critical that EVs have as large a battery as possible.

[@SMABEM]

The thing with ICE cars is that in winter waste heat is used to heat the cabin. The process of combustion is inefficient and produces a lot of waste heat. In the summer this heat is just blown into the air. This just proves how EVs are much more efficient. Only utilizing energy when necessary. i.e. more in winter, less in summer, when you don't need heating.

[@jamesdicken3442]

With respect, in regards to your analysis at the end, you are not the target consumer for this car (hyper aware EV expert, all in on electric cars saving the world). This looks to be designed for the driver that changes Audi's every 2-3 years, that wants to try out an electric car without changing to much of their life style. I think Audi will do well and the next version (that will naturally get lighter, faster, etc) will do even better.

[@timvonr2802]

James Dicken if it was made for this (or as fleet car for business) they had put in more luxury interior like the Q8...

[@NUTTY-nw4ed]

Well said

[@andymccabe6712]

Hallelujah! a rational comment........

[@ahaveland]

Good point, though that class of case will be relatively short lived as EV sales go exponential.

[@jamesdicken3442]

@@timvonr2802 Except he states pretty early on that the interior was really good quality...but I am not up to date on the differences. I think like Hybrids were a bridge to electric ....making the EV look like the rest of the lineup, or giving the rest of their lineups electric drive train options, is how you get to the mass market effectively.

[@gelisob]

Hey Jonny, the problem with camera mirror is focus, with real mirror your eyes focus far, when looking at the road and glancing the mirror. With display - your eyes now need to focus near and then far again.. that is the disturbing part with changing mirror to display. This little extra work and delay for your eyes is something that a lot of people will find not so comfy, I believe. (test it by looking far and your hand and far and your hand.. )

[@lukalukic1]

Problem is dirt or rain or snow

[@banny123456]

@@lukalukic1 you can create an aerodynamic bubble that ensures the lens of the camera will not suffer that much from dirt. You must clean regular mirrors on the car either.

[@rayphot]

Imagine how expensive it will be if some idiot damages your camera mirror in a car park. Its bad enough when you have to replace mirrors due to inconsiderate drivers.....a camera system isn't going to be cheap!

[@gillespelletier9161]

With mirror you can change your viewing angle by moving your head. Impossible while looking at screen.

[@Markle2k]

It's a safety issue too. It takes your eyes nearly a second to focus far-near-far in order to "glance" at what is behind you. At highway speeds that's a long time to take your eyes off the road for a routine operation. This is one of the advantages of analogue or analogue-like gauges in the instrument cluster. Properly designed, you can get reasonable accuracy without having to "read" something.

[@cawfeedawg]

The 250 miles range with a 95kwh battery pack seems poor.

[@hynsum]

i agree, must be the weight penalty.

[@robhaitch5544]

@@hynsum read somewhere that this could be more to do with protecting the battery than poor efficiency. **if** that is true, we'll probably see Audi batteries lasting a lot longer than Tesla's. Seen some people getting new batteries under warranty from Telsa already. That's great for the customer but it's a disaster for Tesla's bottom line and long term survival if lots of cars they sell end up needing new batteries in order to win the efficiency or performance race.

[@FutureSystem738]

Rob Haitch Really? The overwhelming and vast majority of Tesla batteries last incredibly well. They have the runs on the board. Nobody else does.

[@TheSmallRabbit]

With 95kwh comes the additional weight of the battery which is going to affect performance and efficiency using approx 245Wh/km which is high and must be down to the weight. Imagine a much lighter design and maybe a little smaller using around 180Wh/km would give this a very attractive 300Mile range and maybe a more agile nippy performance like the iPace. I also do not like the side charge sockets so far back from the long hood as charging from a front charger means at times the charge lead is too short or stretched across the body a little. I would have preferred a charge socket at the front and rear. Its a lovely interior which most German manufactures excel at and we take for granted that they will produce a quality squeak and creak free interior. 70K+ is way too expensive for most however like other EV manufacturers their first dip into the EV sales market is top end and I do not blame them for that. What will really make them money is a 300Mile £35K vehicle with agile performance / fast charging from a high voltage battery pack using slightly more advanced batt tech and aluminium body and while I am fantasising about the future a more exotic futuristic design like some of the concept cars would not go a miss. For sure all Audi have done here is basically electrify an existing ICE car IMO. I look forwards to later iterations of their craft.

[@alecktz2677]

yes, the german channel nextmove did a comparrison between E-tron and Model X90D, the Audi needs ~25% more Energy...

[@zapfanzapfan]

11:44 "Good for night time hookups" ;-)

[@electricfelix]

favourite part!

[@charlech]

"not like that"

[@bumblebee9337]

Mass helps... for locomotives, with steel-on-steel wheels.

[@yaris684]

this made me LOL hard Really fucked Audi engineers don't understand how Newtonian physics work going uphill and downhill-all that regen is no good if your trying to haul an RV up the hill on a electric motor.

[@joshuaheffernan4374]

@@yaris684 yes you know better than Audi engineers

[@morkovija]

Just fyi some comparison numbers: Tesla Model X:24.8 kWh per 100 km ((39.9 kWh/100mi). Audi e-tron: 30.5 kWh/100 km (49.1 kWh/100mi). Jaguar I-Pace:31.3 kWh/100 km (50,37 kWh/100mi) Sauce:German electric car rental company nextmove

[@dizzypeasant1632]

At an average 120 kph. Is this down to the Tesla's better aero or is there something Audi and Jaguar are missing?

[@morkovija]

Dizzy Peasant aero for sure, but it's hard to speculate about internals

[@kdkd693]

Interesting, esp considering the X is a bigger SUV than both others. Good sauce lol

[@achenarmyst2156]

1.5x playback everything - thank me later You probably meant „Source“. You don‘t poure Next Move over cars. 😉

[@MadsAarup]

Tesla is ahead of the game. It shines in every parameter. Still unbelievably great to see high end EVs (and don't forget the Mercedes EQ-C) from more than one car maker

[@logicalChimp]

Oddly, there are a couple of points where Johnny starts making a point, then seems to get distracted and forgets to complete it. Separately, 95kwh for sub 250 mile range? And people complained that the Jag iPace was inefficient... :D Edit: And it strikes me that with the 'camera' mirrors, you can't get a wider view etc by moving your body (the way you can with a mirror) - especially with e.g. low winter sun - with a normal mirror, you can try to sit up / scrunch down to get a view without the sun, but you can't do that with the camera setup)

[@davepermen]

i think it was too hot over there for him, but ya, noticed him randomly drifting off, too ;)

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Re the mirrors Style over substance? KISS moment?

[@streetwind.]

Apparently Audi reserves a huge portion of the pack as buffer. When people have tested in ideal conditions, they were only able to get at most 83 kWh out of the 95 kWh pack before the car reported 0% charge. There's no official explanation, but the leading theory goes is that Audi wants to hide battery degradation by successively unlocking more and more of the battery over its lifetime, so the range achievable from the driver's point of view stays completely stable for something like a decade. That seems believable from a luxury car standpoint: make sure the user has to worry about nothing whatsoever.

[@joewhip9303]

I am sorry, but under 250 miles out of a 95 kw pack is unimpressive. Should be north of 300.

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

Camera mirrors are wider angle than regular mirrors so they should eliminate side blind spots.

[@IanScottJohnston]

It's a nice car.....but £70k.....Joe Public hasn't got a chance!

[@FrozenDung]

It trickles down. Being Audis first proper EV of course it will be expensive. Its a fucking good start. And it will come down to the A4 eventually.

[@fionafiona1146]

By the time I can afford a car, I imagine them to be competitively priced (including battery replacement) on the other hand I don't expect to afford a car any time soon.

[@ryanmalin]

fiona fiona buy a $1500 gasoline car. They’re cheap and they will get you there

[@vladsaghin7644]

A loaded E-Niro or Kona EV is half the price and offers more range than the E-Tron lol

[@knifeyonline]

@@fionafiona1146 I feel the same, by the time i can afford an electric car, they will be autonomous and there will be ride sharing everywhere which will make owning a car pointless lol

[@jasonfournier]

The main advantages of side cameras instead of mirrors: 1) less drag, 2) being able to see the images on the console straight ahead and not taking your eyes off the road as much, 3) eliminating blind spots. However, they have not completely eliminated the drag and appear to have images in the doors still. Doesn't seem to fully take advantage of the technology.

[@TeslaTravels]

IMO the main advantage of cameras is: no glare! When the sun is directly behind you, it'll blind you in your mirrors. With cameras, that problem is solved.

[@TheBrentieman]

@@TeslaTravels auto dimming side mirrors have been available on some cars for years now and presumably at a lot lower cost than a camera and a screen

[@hazzerhazzer2741]

How much to replace one when some idiot takes it off with there wing mirror?

[@ariip]

@@hazzerhazzer2741 Yes. I mentioned how these do not fold and stick our way too far compared to other such cameras. (which they even showed).

[@TeslaTravels]

My car has auto dimming side mirrors, and they're great when the car behind you has their brights on, but they're no match for the sun when it's in just the right place. Those times, I simply tilt the mirror out temporarily, but of course I lose some situational awareness as a result. Having cameras instead solves the problem.

[@js986]

Jonny always mentions the paddles being ‘wrong’, they’re done that way to act similarly to dropping gears in an ICE vehicle. Also western convention is that we make progress left to right, so slowing progress by pulling the left paddle fits.

[@chrwl007]

My thoughts exactly. "-" paddle on our DSG-equipped VW means a lower gear and more engine braking.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Jorge Kemp I’m left handed. Maybe I’m just weird

[@js986]

CARPERVERT me too, we can be weird together

[@jontait2843]

I can see lines of these parked outside Tarquin & Penelope's prep school as their Ladies-Who-Lunch-Mums drop them off on the way to their Yoga class. They'll sell bucket loads of them!!

[@UncleDavey]

And it's probably Pilates not yoga!

[@mickbitchum4664]

Champagne bucket loads of them!

[@jamesx2703]

Let hope they do! Less emissions outside schools

[@nathanbawden8931]

The quality of your content is really shining through - kudos. Good even handed and enjoyable review by Jonny and the production quality continues to impress - the transition edit at 11:48 is superb!

[@onepunchbud1472]

I just realized that I started this video and clicked like after 3 seconds because its fully charged. I don't do this with other channels. 😄

[@bluejay8836]

One punch Bud I do the same thing!

[@snowstrobe]

The only other site I do that is 'Your Daily Dose of Internet'.

[@fullychargedshow]

Well we're very flattered and honoured to have your premature like. Thank you. :-)

[@VesaGuardian]

I do understand that only too well!

[@angus9541]

Same same

[@NiklasAuinger]

Wow.. this probably was the best fully charged episode ever

[@tomquimby8669]

the one with Helen on battery tech was better, Mr Smith is a bit of a light weight car tester

[@maxtorque2277]

Regarding mass: An EV has a bi-directional powertrain, that can transfer energy both into its mass (via gaining velocity) and also to recover some of that Kinetic energy when it slows down, and return charge to the battery storage system. However, such is the way of the universe (the law of entropy) that process can never be 100% efficient when the energy has to change state, in this case, kinetic energy stored in the cars mass converted to chemical energy in the battery. In fact, for a typical EV with a modern Permanent magnet motor and Pulse width modulated inverter, the overall round trip efficiency is around 75%. That 'round trip' consists of the following: Chemical Energy -> DC electricity -> AC electricity -> Rotational Mech energy -> Linear Energy (KE) -> Rotational Mech energy -> AC electricity -> DC electricity -> Chemical Energy Of course, to recover all that energy, the friction brakes must not be used by the driver (Regen only)! So, what does this mean? well it means two things: 1) In terms of energy consumption, the vehicles mass only looks like ~25% of what it actually is. Ie, a 2,000 kg EV driven for mas economy only using regen to slow, consumes energy during changes of speed at a similar magnitude to a ICE vehicle of 500kg! 2) A passenger car that is usually driven at speed between 30 and 70 mph actually uses most of its energy simply pushing air out the way. The aero drag is by far the largest consumer. Drag that is proportional to the vehicles mass is actually quite small, and is principally made up of mostly tyre loses (hysteresis in the tyre carcass) and a bit of load dependent friction rotating elements like bearings etc So when Audi say "mass helps" the truth is no, no it doesn't, but it is also true that mass for an EV is far, far less important than drag when we are talking about total energy consumption.

[@SimonAnderson]

Great points! Thank you for sharing your insights, I didn't realize the "round-trip" was so efficient. Also, the e-tron's drag coefficient of 0.28 is fantastic compared to other SUV's. It's too bad they didn't use the ASF even if weight isn't as much of a factor on long-distance trips. The cost was probably too high to justify though, especially with the vehicle already priced where it is.

[@drunkenhobo8020]

Drag is proportional to velocity squared, whilst energy losses due to mass increase linearly with velocity. So if you're doing a lot of stop-start city driving then mass plays a bigger role than drag. Sure you can recoup some of it with regen braking, but as you point out that isn't hugely efficient. Reducing both drag and mass is obviously ideal, but mass isn't as insignificant as your comment seems to make out.

[@oquemaur]

Now THAT was a worthy comment !!

[@gasdive]

tl;dr Audi is lying again.

[@dogphlap6749]

@@drunkenhobo8020 I would not say 75% energy recovery under regen was not hugely efficient. Sure the original Tesla Roadster claimed 80% but still compared to any other ICE SUV where 0% of energy is returned under braking this is important and it makes the large mass of this vehicle acceptable (just). It is just a matter of trade offs, lighter is generally better but it costs money to go to aluminium or carbon fibre body panels and it costs more money again to repair them after an accident. Interesting that Audi chose a dry as dust spot for press test drives, if they tried that in Ireland they would have sunk up to their wheel hubs in the first piece of boggy land they touched. If Audi can just avoid screwing up the service experience (looking at you Tesla) they should have a winner.

[@Kniffel101]

6:55 "The customers want something they're familiar with." When it comes to exterior: 100% correct! :)

[@crashbox7130]

I'll wait for the e-Tron Jeff Bridges Edition with some early 1980s style retro computer graphics.

[@LambdaWave84]

VAG Group demonstrates that they are a lot better in marketing that in true innovations and real technological advances. The efficiency and the weight of this e-tron are absolutely awful, and technically way behind Tesla or Hyundai.

[@kensmith5694]

Yes but at least there is no test cheating software.

[@hippievogelei]

Hyundai are u serious they have the kona that car is half in space

[@Zuchu4501]

"technically way behind". You are joking, right?

[@LambdaWave84]

@@Zuchu4501 No. Metrics of a good EV are mainly efficiency and weight. That Audi is too heavy and the efficiency is catastrophic, 95kWh battery for about 400km range is horrendous. The Kona does 480km with only 64kWh. Yeah, it's a smaller SUV but come on...

[@bhew7409]

my old housemate had an Audi and it cost a lot to maintain as it kept on breaking... lol.

[@WTFSt0n3d]

"Modularer Elektrobaukasten" is probably the most german way to describe that thing lol

[@anthonyharding5]

Jonny Smith is by far the best motoring journalist around, along with this channel with brilliant quality content, an absolute must to view. Thank you very much indeed🎥👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@stockstreamtwitch]

It's nice dont get me wrong, but im still buying a Rivian. 👍👍👍

[@smolfer73]

Good choice, it look like you are paying a lot for the four rings and it doesn't have torq vectoring.

[@tory6733]

Rivian may be the first Tesla competitor. The Honda electric cars coming in 2020 are also pretty dope

[@BOT-dv9lz]

Oh yes the Rivian 👍. It maybe my first pickup 😀.

[@nnnkatze4329]

You can buy the Audi today, there's no production Rivian yet.

[@paladro]

apples and oranges, sure they are both ev, but do you think the respective designs appeal to the same markets? a pickup vs suv tesla is about to get buried or lose all their tech to the chinese.

[@dvrsflrs]

This is a really honest interview. It's not begging for attention, it's just a calm honest review. Thanks man!

[@Tohari_Nor]

Why diden´t you ask the Audi representative about the choice to go for steel over aluminium..? Seemed like a missed opportunity. Love the car though.

[@DLiberator78]

I was thinking that also.

[@TheBrentieman]

It might be cost cutting. Steel is cheaper than aluminium

[@shamil454]

@@TheBrentieman steel might be cheaper, but isn't it much better in terms of durability?

[@kasperholmj]

another honest review by Jonny.... These are so worth so much more than all the others out there attempting to do reviews... Thanks, Jonny.

[@Luca148S]

@Johnny the minus paddle increases regen because it resembles putting in a lower gear in an ICE car. So engine/motor braking in both type of cars with the left paddle 😀

[@Chilukar]

So glad I'm not the only one to think that way.

[@unreliablenarrator6649]

Today, I just saw my first Audi e-tron on the road, black exterior. Brilliant. Right sized, superb build quality, gave the driver a double thumbs-up and she blushed and smiled. ME: : "So"?" She: "Great. Love it." And then she was gone, leaving my X5 in her dust. Seriously impressive.

[@manpetepetrop8034]

2.5 Ton car... for Fook's sake!! Is it a Panzer Tank or a Soccer Mom's new toy?

[@RedBatteryHead]

They should call it the Maus. In honor of that megaton panzer

[@maxant4285]

So 2.2 ton Tesla is ok?

[@DavidDrivesElectric]

Thanks for being honest. Fully Charged usually is very much on the positive side, sometimes to the point where I feel like you guys are trying too hard to make every EV look awesome. Very happy to see that you are being honest about not being blow away by this car.

[@kom2falcon]

Jonny Smith, what a great addition to the team. I hope these companies can welcome the honest reviews and not expect a babbling drooling love fest all the time. I think you hit all the right points good and bad and who will enjoy this Audi the most. When we start to take certain features as expected and are looking for more it shows EVs are getting out of the honeymoon phase and into real competition. Keep it up.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

kom2falcon Thank you v much

[@AdAstra95_]

This is one of the best videos you have made, so much detail whilst being interesting! Keep up the good work!

[@davidbarnes7866]

Excellent honest review well done Jonny. To safe and to expensive to get the numbers Audi are looking for. The German guy is wrong. You can’t charge 70 grand and make a car with steel panels and bin parts from other motors. Hurried to the market place before they missed the boat but missed the point instead.

[@VesaGuardian]

I guess you meant to say: "too safe and too expensive". That would make your sentence understandable. Just add those missing letters and you´ll be fine!

[@davidbarnes7866]

vesa vartiainen well nineteen people currently found the comment perfectly understandable and liked it. At nineteen to one I will take those odds all day long. I will not sleep tonight knowing that I have failed your high standards. Must be a full time job for you correcting everybody’s mistakes. Oh to be perfect.

[@andymccabe6712]

@@davidbarnes7866 oops -touched a nerve there.........Yes - I suppose the world's largest vehicle manufacturing group haven't a clue what they're doing......

[@davidbarnes7866]

Andy McCabe just an opinion. The sales will ultimately tell if they know what they are doing not you or me. Doubt if they will ever hit a hundred thousand sales or indeed ever make a profit from this particular vehicle.

[@robhaitch5544]

The "bin parts" thing is nonsense. The term was popularised by Clarkson to describe the likes of Aston Martin using door handles from Ford Mondeos, i.e. cheap parts being used in prestige/super cars. An e-tron using the same seats as an A6 or suspension from another high end Audi is not "raiding the parts bin" in any way. It's sensible use of modular parts that have already been designed and machinery built to produce them.

[@adamfry1125]

Jonny's reviews are superb. Love the detail and how he takes with passion about things that don't normally get a mention. Thanks.

[@daseteam]

I would have like Johnny to ask him why it was built with steel. It might have been an interesting answer. Probably just cost though.

[@ukeuwatch]

Agreed. I was thinking it was to do with manufacturing tolerance of steel vs aluminium. I guess he didn't want to annoy the Audi guy too much, though. Journos need cordial relationships to get access, to some extent. Also I think Jonny is just a nice chap in general and doesn't like to rub people up the wrong way or make things awkward.

[@JJ-SH]

Another great review. Jonny Smith, you sir are the best motoring journalist going.

[@isaidholla4088]

The Tesla model x was supposed to have cameras for side mirrors but lawmakers said no.

[@TerraIAm]

But if it was tesla it would be ok. It would have been amazing.

[@drxym]

Maybe the law has changed, or European law is different to US law.

[@pepstein]

Yeah, I don't think they'd be allowed in the US. The logic behind them is of course reduced aerodynamic drag.

[@ferkeap]

Only allowed in the EU for now. maybe japan as well, don't know for sure.

[@andrewrobotbuilder]

Wonder if they can be used as dash cams as well. Could be useful

[@TylerAult]

I appreciate your honest opinions in this vid. Keep it up & don't feel obligated to sugar coat a review just because they let you test drive and record in an exotic place!

[@M0LHA]

Cars without wing mirrors make a lot of sense for electric, unfortunately I feel Audi have missed a trick with this car. They appear to neither be ergonomically placed in the cabin, or particularly efficient outside the car. Ideally the cameras would form part of the main body so they don't "stick out". How you resolve the interior is a tricky one, maybe some sort of HUD on the windows ala BMW M6 display. Maybe the right answer is to revisit what they are for and whether a conventional view is even required? Maybe a simple blind spot warning would suffice if the coverage is sufficiently wide? Like Jonny, I'm not particularly impressed with the e-tron - they've bringing a car to market that's barely matching what Tesla launched years ago. THAT SAID, it is precisely the kind of car that would get my ICE friends into an EV. it looks like a 'normal car', non-offensive and unlikely to draw unwanted attention. I feel you could happily drive this in incognito mode and think nothing more about it. That price tag does sting though, 50k~ would be a better base (and that's still a lot of money). Great review, almost unfully charged like which sometimes falls foul of being a little non-critical (cough, sion).

[@Natorisama]

Tesla have mirrors ONLY because of conservative US roads restrictions. They will get rid of them as soon as laws would change.

[@svenjorgenson3224]

Don't thing the camera mirrors are ideal on EV's just yet as battery range is still an issue especially somewhere like Canada and so every ounce of power needs to be utilized for range....not cameras.

[@klaxoncow]

I'm also thinking that cameras would make more sense, if they actually showed you more than a wing mirror could. There's a limit to how big you could make wing mirrors, of course. You couldn't exactly have a car with massive "Dumbo ears" on either side - this would obscure more than it's revealing. But you could, with cameras, capture a heck of a lot more of what's going on behind and to the sides of the car and present some nice big HD screens on the interior. THAT would make tremendous sense. Because it's actually showing you more, while obscuring the view less, and giving you, of course, better aerodynamics. But, weirdly, perhaps tied to "tradition", what happens is that they just try to emulate the wing mirrors, as they are, with cameras. So, indeed, what's the point? The best you can do emulating something is to be exactly as good as it - so the very best is simply "as good". So, by definition of this, it can't be better than physical wing mirrors and you've got to ask "why bother?". But if they took advantage of what cameras can do that physical mirrors stuck on the side of your car can't really do so well, then you could see exactly why it's worth having them. (For example, imagine a long screen, right across the dashboard, that displayed the entire unobscured side and rear view. That's possible with cameras. No blind spots. A proper 360 view right around your car. If you saw something like that then, ah, the utility of using cameras instead of mirrors would become obvious... and actually useful.)

[@Natorisama]

Sven Jorgenson Camera is a low-power device. All 9 of them together consuming less than a laptop. Different story about dealing with all data that coming from them + radars. But it is also pretty much manageable today, if you distribute processing lines into different units, like it is done in iPad Pro for example.

[@svenjorgenson3224]

@@Natorisama The reason I mention this is in a place like Canada with its extreme weather wouldn't you want every bit of power being utilized for range?

[@Northbaylandscaping]

I like the fact Audi is at this point with the E tron and I can see Audi buyers liking it. Will be interesting to see how Audi makes out with their E-tron going forward.

[@MortyMortyMorty]

4:23 It charges faster than my phone lmao

[@amolbhavsar1620]

One of very honest reviews i saw on KZbin. Keep it up.

[@savoryflan]

I would buy this for $40K

[@snviper]

So would I. Hope we get to that point in a few years.

[@gasdive]

No. It would want to be a lot cheaper than a Kona. Similar range, but longer to charge. It would take a big discount to choose this.

[@tomquimby8669]

@@snviper in a few years this car will be out dated, tech is improving at a rapid rate

[@0Turbox]

@@tomquimby8669 In ten years, you can fit a bigger batterie into it.

[@GranVlog]

Best series on youtube

[@bluejay8836]

Is anyone else fascinated by the urban planning and infrastructure of these newly built cities?

[@didierpuzenat7280]

For me if you do not see peoples it is not a city.

[@curmudgeon1933]

Blue Jay88.. Fully Charged has done a few videos on new sustainable projects in the Gulf. Robert Llewellyn went to Masdar City, where this video was filmed, about 5 years ago and also to a place in Dubai. They are experimental but useful for proof of concept. It's encouraging to see these countries using some of their wealth to find possible solutions for when the oil starts to run out. It's a shame the UK didn't create some kind of sovereign wealth fund, before we ran out of North Sea oil and gas, as has been done in Norway.

[@redxsage]

Fascinated and impressed.

[@redxsage]

@@didierpuzenat7280 -- You haven't spent much time in Los Angeles or, Las Vegas have you? Most _FAT_ people spend their time indoors, under air conditioning, or refrigeration, and spend little to no time walking anywhere outside if it can be avoided. If the Sun can be seen, they cannot.

[@Scott-sm9nm]

Really love the reviews by Jonny Smith and he is informative and clear. Definitely does his homework. FCShow really does nice editing and graphics for presentation.

[@thankyouforyourcompliance7386]

Too heavy, looks boring, no need for camouflage as there is nothing spectacular in design. The grill is ridiculous.nextmove in Germany did a nice comparison between an old Model X, the new Etron and the iPace. The consumption of the Etron is nearly as bad as with iPace. The old Model X blew them away. The sound proofing is brilliant, though.

[@maxmouche]

100% agree

[@WeaponGrade]

I wished you had elaborated on two points. 1. How autonomous ready is the car? 2. Why Audi choose steel when everyone else sees that as a disadvantage? Regen cannot be the whole story. Thanks.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Nima Nikuie They wouldn’t answer the second point. I can only presume it came down to price. Shame.

[@stevenford737]

Camera side mirrors are an excellent idea but this implementation of the idea is unbelievably bad. The camera should be at or near the top of the A pillar to avoid road spray and impacts. The screens should be as near the same sightline as the interior rear view mirror as possible.

[@nitramluap]

9:00 - the problem with most off-roading here in Australia is that they like the noise and smoke. It attracts a special kind of person.

[@alasdairpage]

I remember the Tamiya Hornet! :D

[@peterryan7340]

11:45 Johnny like the lights on for night time hook ups! 😂😂😂

[@timothysullivan7433]

So let me understand Audi says more mass equals more energy. They solved the energy problem. Yeah right.

[@johnknight9150]

Glad to see Jonny gives it an honest review rather than fawning over it simply because it's electric, nice work. [edit]: And those camera mirrors are just another thing to go wrong. And be expensive.

[@M20B25-User]

I don´t like Audi ... and I don´t like this guy Stefan Niemand (Chief of Electromobility at Audi). I was on a event where he was making jokes and fun of Tesla ... Quote: "Tesla is not able to run mass production ... we can ... Teslas reduce power at top speed ... we don´t ... bla bla bla. What he did not tell: The E-tron is limited to 200km/h ... so you willnever find out if the E-Tron needs to reduce power like the Teslas at ~230km/h. Sorry, but I don´t like arrogant people believing that they are the best and others don´t know how to build proper cars/ EVs. Thats why I will never ever buy an Audi.

[@ToumalRakesh]

But.... it's an Audi. It MUST be better. Don't you understand? Just kidding. Getting my Model 3 in a week or two. Can't wait.

[@elliottslab]

Also like Audi would be making this right now if it wasn’t for Tesla

[@LambdaWave84]

Agreed, Volkswagen AG is the most arrogant company out there, no doubt.

[@glenf4115]

Reminds me of a Simon Sinek talk of finite players vs infinite players. Tesla is obsessed with their vision of the future and Audi is just trying to beat Tesla. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmbRcpSuftCgfKc

[@FutureSystem738]

Not to mention that Audi/VW are mass murderers, thanks to dieselgate. Yes I know it was a few years ago now, but if not for a few clever uni students, they’d still be doing it to this day. Liars and cheats!

[@benpaynter]

Jonny really knows how to review a car! Top work as usual guys!!

[@clonatul1]

Why don't they just put the "mirror" screens at the base of the A pillar

[@ramblerandy2397]

1) Why are the door cameras stuck so far into the wind? The whole point of the tech is to lose the drag. 2) Why have the display screens placed so far left/right? It negates the whole reason for the tech. As I said before, it's bitzy and flawed. Which is a shame because there's a potentially nice car there. All in my humble opinion, of course.

[@rednammoc]

@@ramblerandy2397 On 1: they must do this to replicate the perspective (viewpoint) that existing mirrors give. As the front element of the lens system is moved closer to the car body, more and more of the relevant scene becomes blocked from view, and no amount of image processing can fix this. On 2: I expect it's to accommodate our current familiarity and expectations, but the bigger problem for me is forcing one to regularly refocus from the medium-long distance of the outside scene to a significantly nearer focus of an internal screen - and back again, causing unnecessary eyestrain. For some of us, this is far from instantaneous, and gets worse with age for everyone. As mentioned elsewhere, perhaps HUD-style optics could solve this.

[@robhaitch5544]

@@ramblerandy2397 Re: point 1. I agree. They should use one camera near the tail light and another near the A-pillar and then merge the video streams - similar to how virtual shots are created for overhead views. This would give an amazing field of view without the need to have an offset side mirror or camera.

[@ramblerandy2397]

@@robhaitch5544 Indeed. Or you could have tiny bulges in the B pillars. Basically, they could have thought about it a bit more rather than producing little more than a gimmick.

[@danam2584]

"Night time hookups. Not like that." LOL! Love the video's guys.

[@ShadowRaptor8]

Just waiting for FullyCharged to get their hands on a E-Tron GT and/or Taycan

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Rishab Gangopadhyay Me too man!

[@redxsage]

Yeah. Waiting...

[@shirewark]

A comprehensive & decisive video, nice work

[@stjabraham]

Fully Charged is like Top Gear/The Grand Tour: except with good presenters, entertainment and relevancy...

[@jafuk]

A good honest review. Thanks again, Jonny.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Paul Jefferies Thank you Paul

[@lcd1957]

I'm not convinced at all for £82,240. In real life day to day ownership (Not off-roading in nature reserves) much cheaper South Korean BEV's have the high ground.

[@JohnCline]

Another outstanding (and honest) presentation from Jonny Smith, who has become my favorite automobile reviewer.

[@Appalling68]

I have been sorta mulling over this car as a future replacement of my 2017 Volvo XC90 (D5 AWD). I want to get away from ICE and in to EV's. But there's NO WAY I'm shelling out some €75k to do it, especially given how heavy this car is. No way. :-(

[@M20B25-User]

Wait for the Tesla Model Y ;-)

[@Appalling68]

@@M20B25-User Can't bring myself to buy Tesla. I hate the interior of their cars, and can't stand the android-tablet-glued-on-the-dashboard look. In fact interior "look and feel" (not to mention real dash displays) are what draw me to European manufacturers.

[@tomquimby8669]

yes the weight is a real problem when you run out of charge and have to push it to the next charger. You want to replace your 2 year old volvo XC90 diesel?? nice to know there are uninformed miserly lotto winners about. You bought a diesel???

[@Appalling68]

Tom Quimby Uninformed? And you, tough guy?

[@tomquimby8669]

@@Appalling68 clearly uninformed or just plain arrogant to leave everybody you pass in your diesel, covered in carcinogenic partials , just to save a bit of money. I do not need to be tough to point your clear poor decision in buying a diesel, I just have to be informed about the toxic nature of diesel fumes

[@macgreiner]

I thought the main reason for camera mirrors was reduced air drag - not for tech reasons per se.

[@WeirdSeagul]

its worse than the I-pace and more expensive. hmm

[@Luca148S]

not really. I would say they are on the same level. For example the i Pace' infotainment is worse, it has even worse consumption than the rather inefficient e-tron (despite beeing heavier) and less interior space. (the channel "next move" tested the real life motorway consumption) Also the e-tron can charge much faster, especially because the i Pace at the moment doesn't even reach 100kw (but closer to 75kw)

[@cte4dota]

Worse ? LOL Since when is Audi worse than Jaguar ? I-pace is so bad and lagy,Audi is pestige.

[@justsomeguy1715]

I-pace is fine but the audi e-tron is just amazing

[@Milkshakman]

Luca Also worth noting we’re comparing an ELECTRIC car from Audi/Jaguar... Jaguar are well known for having terrible electronics issues

[@cte4dota]

@@Luca148S well... You Britslove your car but rest of the world is no go for Jaguar.Audi will dominate i can bet.

[@Br1anuk]

Great video Jonny and love the cheeky winks to camera.

[@cinilaknedalm]

This car is D.O.A. Why would anyone buy this instead of a Model X?

[@mattrobinson5254]

Cheaper, nicer interior, faster charging, no silly doors.

[@andymccabe6712]

@@mattrobinson5254 AND, hey-it's got a hatchback!! Isn't that what EVERYONE buys - like, for the practicality??

[@meomarte]

I guess every car has been designed for a target group. Clearly the target group of e-Tron is not EV-enthusiasts. So says the big grill at the front. This has been designed for the people who are EV-shy, embarrassed to choose a non polluting vehicle. I don´t know if such people exist. Never met one.

[@mvmallinson]

cinilaknedalm Have you seen the build quality of a Model X? There is the answer to your question.

[@VSS1]

Rivian

[@InVIism]

Great episode! Thank you! Every new episode is like a celebration and a sign of the development. Excited for the Rivian news/videos btw!

[@ramblerandy2397]

I don't often disagree with Jonny, but I think the Audi is just not that nice to look at. I generally don't like the SUV vehicle look anyway, but both the Model X and iPace are prettier examples, for me. And there's taking a traditional look too far by keeping the wind dragging token grille, and yet adding wing cameras, which stick out in the wind as well. So, for me, it doesn't work. It's bitzy and flawed, as if Audi rushed it to market, in order to put their part in diesel-gate behind them. The nice thing is that it does a lot of things well, so there's a very good basis. So, sort it out properly Audi, especially as I understand You and Porsche have reverse-engineered a Model 3 and was shocked at how more advanced it was than your EV product.

[@SimonAnderson]

When I saw the first photos of the e-tron online, I was really disappointed also. However, my local dealership brought two e-trons in for the day for customers to check out and in my opinion, it looks much better in person. Especially in all black. Of course it's always subjective, but as someone who thought it looked bland in photos, I was pleasantly surprised. Still nowhere as nice as the GT (but who knows how that will look in production).

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Rambler Andy I think it’s tasteful looking - better than an X, worse than an iPace. It is familiar, which bodes well for introducing people from Q5/7s to EVs

[@ramblerandy2397]

@@TheLateBrakeShow Well, it's just a matter of taste anyway. As said before, I generally don't like the SUV look anyway. Had Audi made it overtly 'future ev-ish', like BMW are attempting with that ghastly Vision iNEXT, then that would have been way over the top, so I congratulate them on that, at least. However, it's a styling and tech collision, for me, rather than a harmonisation. A good basis, but unfinished, in my opinion.

[@trashmail8]

I’m really surprised that they haven’t simply covered that top grill section with a smooth, transparent cover to effectively keep that traditional look, but hugely improve frontal aerodynamics. Cooling can then still be done by the lower section, like Tesla does.

[@asharak84]

As a current Audi driver - this thing is hideous as well as inefficient, short ranged, overpriced. Why on earth would someone buy this? Granted, not a fan of any SUV style vehicles, but this is much worse looking than average.

[@aigarius]

Great review. A lot of thoughts and insights that are different from the usual car review routine. Well done!

[@didierpuzenat7280]

A Sono would have been better for this place. And Sono has 3 independent rear seats. SUVs are not the good path. But we are not supposed to compare cars according to their releventness, but by category, how stupid... I think it would be quite more logic to compare this 5 seats Etron to a model 3 (even if it is not a SUV) rather than a model X, but off course it would loose on all valuable points : range, safety, acceleration, efficiency, price, etc. And in Europe the model 3 can acces both Tesla and CCS networks...

[@derMaulwuff]

Are you sure on the three seats? I thought they cancelled them when having the vlog on updated battery price?

[@didierpuzenat7280]

@@derMaulwuff My post is based on what I saw in a quite recent Fully Charged "episode" : kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX29fJehnKdra80 I do not know if they have changed the design since this video.

[@didierpuzenat7280]

With 3 children I have to admit that this 3 seats is almost the only reason I am still following what they do, so I hope they haven't switch to only two.

[@derMaulwuff]

@@didierpuzenat7280 Same for me. The fully charged episode was recorded long time before the battery update :-( There was a twitter thread on the back seats on the sono motors account, too, but I didn't get a clear answer there, neither.

[@didierpuzenat7280]

@@derMaulwuff Ok, too bad. In fact I have tested Zoé but it was too small for 3 children, I have tested the Kona EV but it was *horrible* for 3 children (we came back before the scheduled time, too inconfortable in the middle rear seat). I think it will be a model 3, too expansive but not so much if you take into account it can be the only vehicule of the family.

[@runemaster96]

The production and presentation is amazing

[@Baj64]

I bet they'll change the name in french speaking countries... E-Tron = Etron = Turd...

[@didierpuzenat7280]

Not worth than "I piss"...

[@gasdive]

Seems appropriate

[@davefiddes]

You can't polish an E-tron!

[@Baj64]

@@davefiddes Excellent ! lol.

[@amdadurrahman3967]

I just like his watch! What make and model is that?! I want one!!

[@pawefiett2468]

It's such a good review!

[@guantou2520]

Can't wait for this platform to appear in a Macan, now that would be worth my hard earned

[@dougowt]

We are only going to see truly great EVs from the established manufacturers when they change from vehicle architecture and production lines designed for ICE vehicles. The e-tron is rather underwhelming, the range, the weight, the price (possibly a significant production delay) and I agree with the comments regarding the optional mirrors. Those on the test car, do not represent any advantage over a conventional mirror. It must surely be possible to have cameras that don't stick out waiting to be knocked off by a passing van driver. And the screens would be better further up the A post? They are really going to have to try a lot harder. It makes you wonder if they are taking EVs seriously. They are in danger of getting left behind because I think business and the public are not that far off from understanding that EVs have many more advantages than disadvantages, running costs being a rather significant one.

[@Alex-tf8fr]

Doug Palmer Elon said the camera mirrors can save 1.7 miles of range then a conventional mirror

[@lukealiciouss]

Is it just me or is the car on the left floating at 8:41?

[@ramblerandy2397]

The car is sitting on three wheels. The wheel off the ground at at the end of the suspension travel.

[@grahamarnold2591]

THE WEIGHT UNLOCKS " THE HUMMER TAX CREDIT" IN USA $26 K BUSINESS TAX CREDIT hmmmmm !!!! I wonder ---

[@Markle2k]

Section 179 has been scaled way back for vehicles with passenger space that aren't used as taxis or car service vehicles.

[@mmimmas]

Can you charge it from the both sides at the same time to be faster? :))

[@tymanot]

Nice Car, poor EV in my eyes. Fully charged is a bit late with this review though...

[@electricfelix]

late (in my opinion) is when you see them on the road everywhere already, I haven't and I even live in a country full of EV's!

[@Markle2k]

Late? Isn't this right around the embargo date for discussing performance figures?

[@mgammeren]

@@electricfelix A neighbour a few houses down he road had someone visiting with the E-tron. He invited me to come and look/drive because he knows I'm an EV fan, driving a Zoe myself for daily commute. And I think that while the range is a bit "disappointing" it is more than enough for normal driving and even on a normal weekend break it will be enough. Most weekend breaks are within the 300km radius of home.

[@electricfelix]

@@mgammeren yes obviously for all daily rides this is more than enough especially in a country like NL and also charging is very fast! Very cool that you already had a taste near your house!

[@mgammeren]

@@electricfelix Even in countries like Germany/france this is a great car. After 3-4h driving I like to take a little "coffee" break, I drink tea don't like coffee. But then a 30min break is perfect. After that you go on the way again. I have done already some distance with a Tesla model S 100D. 900km and the way I drive it took me about the same time then driving the same distance in an ICE car. But with the Tesla I was far more happy when arriving. No fatigue whatsoever. And yes I was first thinking that it was an Q8 but then he called me over to show the E-tron. Very nice car!

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

Wonderful, wonderful, review; world class journalism, we enjoyed very much, thank you for your service, always highly appreciated!

[@dwightperry9811]

It look like they took a normal boring Audi and put two electric motor in it. Why in hell they made it from steel? 🤔

[@Dudleymiddleton]

7:45 I cant agree it looks pretty im afraid they cant get rid of the stormtrooper look!

[@LucifersTear]

I think it's ugly as sin. Dunno, really can't like it; as much as I've tried. Jag, Kia, Tesla and Rivian have this thing beat...It's just fat and boring.

[@neillivewire6843]

Yes it looks "FAT", it looks "fookin" heavy like the last generation Peugeots, bulbous.

[@francesconicoletti2547]

One day there will be in a museum of transportation somewhere this Audi e-tron and an electric car from the early twentieth century. It will show how the electric car looks like a handsome cab without a horse and the Audi looks like an ice car without an engine. It will be a display on how form does not follow function but rather the inflexible minds of the designers, even over the course of a century.

[@cashbonanza963]

if anyone tells you they prefer a Jag over an Audi don't ask them where they are from. It's so obvious.

[@cashbonanza963]

@John W but you know what the rest of the world thinks about the two industries

[@anthonydayspring9923]

Where... the land where people think rationally with their wallet, want better/ equal range and love great designs?

[@majcus]

love the cut att 11:46

[@Dave-in-France]

No-one has yet mentioned that since this video was made, Audi have announced that they are having problems with this car's battery meeting it's targets. As a result Audi are putting production back 18 to 24 months !!!!! Meanwhile Tesla is pumping out it's cars with Model 3 now arriving in Europe literally by the boatload. Honestly I think this is a poor bloaty product that may never get produced for the public in it's current (sic) form.

[@aigarius]

Never mentioned because such thing does not exist? It is already in production and deliveries were always targeted at Q2 2019 after the software recertification requirement was clarified.

[@mjrc123]

Source?

[@jonpetter8921]

Quality is more important than quantity. German doesn t rush and take their time to build high quality product. Tesla has have issue with build quality as well as service. They are doing well in luxury segment in Europe not because they are better car but because people consider them as the brand that challenged ICE vehicles. Wait until the Audi Porsce mercedes are rolling out their new EV then people will realise the quality difference. Range won t be an issue neither as Superchargers are being built in Europe right now.

[@redxsage]

@@jonpetter8921 -- I have been _'waiting'_ for traditional automobile manufacturers to make a move toward electric drive for thirty years. They should have made their moves in 2013, six years ago. They didn't. Instead, they spent year after year getting their backsides kicked by Tesla. And spent the whole time downplaying the importance of electric drive and ignoring all of Tesla's accomplishments, claiming their cars were _'better'_ because of _'quality, heritage, tradition, craftsmanship, attention to detail, luxury'_ and a bunch of other marketing baloney. Seems that fooled you. Poor guy. All this time since Tesla Model S launched in 2012, and _THIS_ is their answer? Really? An AUDI Tall Estate/Wagon with AWD? Tesla has steadily learned from their mistakes and improved. I don't know why the Service issues exist in Europe, but in the U.S. several States prevent Tesla from doing either Sales or Service by law. It is amazing that with such roadblocks in place they managed to make tge Model 3 the fifth best selling passenger car for the last six months of 2018. There was some word out of the Q4 2018 conference call that issues with Service, particularly,with receiving replacement parts, would be a priority in Europe going forward.

[@NeilBlanchard]

Video mirrors are a good thing! I drove with my own home brew units, and there are lots of advantages: smaller frontal area and lower coefficient of drag - which increases range. When they are done right, you have much smaller blind spots. You don't have to change anything between drivers. You don't get blinded by headlights. In the rain and fog, you have less of an issue with obscured vision. Edit: the location of the screens is key. I put my two 7" screens side by side right in front of me. This was in a Scion xA, and I can see both sides of the car - by looking in 1 place.

[@airheart1]

yeah..I gotta disagree with Jonny for once.. Audi doesn't really give a shit about selling EVs.. Audi wants you to believe they do.. but they don't. I came out of a few Audi's.. I loved em.. but this company is blowing a lot of smoke right now.. and Jonny seems to not be seeing through it very well. I get it.. they were nice to invite you.. you gotta be polite to some degree.. but there needs to be criticism where it is deserved.. and this car deserves a LOT of criticism. Oh yeah.. sure it's great, there's another EV on the market! It's nice.. it's better then another ICE model.. but this thing is a COMPLETE disappointment considering Audi has had at least 7 years of watching what Tesla has had on the road in the field.. and THIS is their best effort? Common.. it's pathetic that a company as big.. as premium.. as experienced.. as Audi.. to have THIS as their best effort to break into EVs and show up Tesla. P a t h e t i c.. my opinion... but lack or range.. lack of performance.. lack of tech (ooo it's got a camera mirror.. big f'n deal).. Ok, it's got a bit better regen.. it's a little faster charging, IF you can find one.. and it's a bit quieter cabin... common.. really? that's the best you could do Audi? really???? That's what you consider showing up Tesla in the market?? WTF!? Or are you pulling your punches because you KNOW if you built what you COULD build.. no one would buy your ICE cars.. and that's still your money maker.. and you're still being leaned on by big oil to keep that gravy train rolling... that's the f'n problem here.. this is a half hearted effort to just.. tick a box.. this thing is a joke compare to what they SHOULD have built. Rivian is building a 0-60 in 3ish seconds truck.. RIVIAN!.. who the f is Rivian? Tesla's X already does it in 3.5 or less.. and has for years now! Audi comes out with a 5.7 sec 0-60? That's your break out EV! That's your best foot forward? REALLY?? Ok.. 0-60 aint everything... what's the range? WHAT? what's its efficiency on the road? WHAT? Are you kidding me? They suck at everything this bad except.. oh it's got a nicer interior then a Tesla.. pff.. maybe in some peoples opinion.. but I thought that interior looked a bit lame.. not horrible.. but nothing that amazing.. good quality.. sure.. but I don't like the layout at all! Ok.. my opinion.. yeah.. but you get to the numbers on everything and it's not opinion any more.. the numbers say this thing is years and years behind where it should be

[@andymccabe6712]

Look, it's really very very simple:- Legacy car makers make ICE cars. They have to transition their business model in a way, and at a rate which is viable for the continued success of the business. So they do what they do with this fundamental requirement in mind. They don't exist to keep the screaming EV nerd community happy.......

[@airheart1]

@@andymccabe6712 it's a valid point.. I would counter with.. they are f'n it up.. and they are going to wind up out of business in less than 10 years, because trying to play both sides of this coin, is a losing game. They are going to fall too far behind the future of mobility, by clinging to its past success... just watch and see. A couple will make it on their own merit and decisions.. a couple will buy some of the EV startups and manage the transition that way... but a lot of who we know now as the major automobile makers.. will be gone in 10 years. That's my Nostradamus moment of how I see it shaking out.. all in no small part due to Tesla.. and also in no small part, due to the Chinese EV automakers that I think are going to start dominating in 2-3 years time. They have the tech.. they have the full backing of their Gov... they are increasing their quality.. and they are going to force down the doors of every market and undercut everything out there.. watch the dominoes fall. ICE manufacturers will be dinosaurs in less then 10 years. Oh.. and go F yourself with the EV nerd comment.. schmuck.. grow up... apologies to the other decent Fully Charged viewers.. lol.. but I can't stand people who think that EVs are for nerds.. you gotta be some seriously uneducated moron

[@tomquimby8669]

@@airheart1 you forgot to mention that they don't have their own battery plant, they are buying on the tight open market 100k cars a year, no chance no batteries for them

[@redxsage]

@@andymccabe6712 -- Every single one of their _'transition plans'_ has been shot to hell by Tesla. They must $#!+ or get off the pot. No more delay tactics. No more Concepts. No more Hybrids. No more Plug-in Hybrids. Turn the corner, hit the brakes, throw it in reverse, pick a new direction. Build fully electric cars with the express intent to _REPLACE ICE FOREVER._ Because you won't have, can't have, a Real Tesla Killer until or unless you are ready to _KILL EVERY ICE_ you currently make. That's what Tesla wants to do.

[@meomarte]

I agree that Audi or any of the legacy makers have no desire to design and build EVs instead of ICE. They have no ideology, no goal other than making profit. The best way not to be disappointed is not to expect much from them. Already their design language speaks of conservatism and fear of any novel ideas. Also it is quite common to see companies coming out with products with "room for improvement" if they don´t have any new ideas on where to take it next. That will lay a path for them to follow for the next few years, until it becomes more obvious what should be developed and what dropped.

[@elliot330]

Brilliant review Jonny, so much better than all the others. So good questions asked to the Audi rep, even if his answers were a little cagey!

[@2xjsf83f2]

when will any1 make an EV anywhere close to being as good as a tesla model

[@andymccabe6712]

if only the Tesla was a hatchback.....

[@xavichuvy9047]

Teslas are dull, ugly, badly made, unreliable and hugely expensive to run once you're out of warranty. "As good as" is a relative term in this case.

[@2xjsf83f2]

@@xavichuvy9047 hahahaha good job dipshit. dull and ugly, that's why they are one of few car companies that littreraly gets large crowds cheering as they unval each model for the first time.

[@2xjsf83f2]

@@xavichuvy9047i appolagies for using relative terms. please forgive my terms for being relative. £5 is as good as £5. is my "as good as" a relative term in this case bro. hahahahahahah #themindofaretard

[@xavichuvy9047]

@@2xjsf83f2 You lot remind me of i-Phone cheerleaders, what a bunch of twats.

[@dozeyy]

"It's a heavy beast! This guy is a heavy beast... But the dash is gorgoeos!" :D