Range     

Now the 55 has been discontinued, there are two versions of the e-tron available. The cheaper standard model uses a 71kWh battery (64kWh useable) which gives a range of 182 miles, while the faster 'S' models get a bigger 95kWh (86kWh useable) pack and a longer range of up to 223 miles. 

The mathematicians among you will notice that that's a 33% bigger battery but only gives you 22.5% more range. That's because the S is heavier and has bigger wheels and tyres, which create more friction on the road. 

Battery 

The e-tron's biggest 95kWh battery is pretty huge by electric car standards – it’s more than double the capacity of a standard Nissan Leaf’s power pack for example. It is mounted underneath the floor to give a lower centre of gravity, making the e-tron feel more stable than a conventional SUV.

The battery is liquid cooled too, which has big benefits for charging times. Whereas some cars will cut the speed at which they can be charged if the battery starts to overheat, the Audi’s cooling system keeps the temperature in check and means it can take charge at up to 150kW.

Charging

The e-tron makes charging really simple. The car is supplied with three cables which can be used at public or workplace charging points and allow the battery to be topped up at a rate of 11kW if available. Most public and home points are currently 7kW, although this is expected to change in the future, if your house wiring is up to it. Audi even provides a three-pin domestic plug, although a full charge using this would take almost two days!

At the other end of the scale, the e-tron is able to accept the new super-fast chargers which feed the battery at 150kW, making it possible to take the level to 80% in under 30 minutes and up to 100% within 50 minutes.