Bucket Seat: Audi Q3 Sportback S Line Black 1.4 TFSI

The Audi Q3 has always been one of those premium compact SUVs that quietly gets the job done, but with the arrival of the all-new Q3 Sportback, Audi has given the model a much-needed injection of attitude. I recently spent some time with the Q3 Sportback S line Black, finished in, you guessed, it black, and there is something about this particular specification that really suits the new design. Starting at R964 000 for the 1.4 TFSI S line Black, the Sportback sits firmly in premium territory, but it also brings a sharper design, a more modern interior and plenty of technology to the table.

DESIGN

I quite like the look of the new Q3, but it is the Sportback that really brings Audi's latest design language to life. Where the previous-generation Q3 Sportback could sometimes look like a standard Q3 with a roofline added for good measure, this new generation feels much more cohesive. The clean lines, smoother curves and more sculpted body give it a mature appearance, while still retaining enough attitude to make it stand out in a crowded premium SUV segment. Up front, Audi has taken a different approach with the lighting signature, and the split headlight design gives the Q3 a far more sophisticated appearance than its predecessor. It is a cleaner, more modern interpretation of the Audi face, and when combined with the black exterior treatment of the S line Black package, the car takes on a particularly sinister appearance. The darker exterior detailing works nicely with the aggressive front end, while the overall proportions make the Sportback look lower and wider than it actually is. Move around to the side and this is where the Sportback earns its name. The sloping roofline flows neatly into the rear of the vehicle without making the car look awkward or overly compromised. In fact, I think this is one of the best angles of the new Q3. It has that sleek, almost coupe-like profile that buyers in this segment are looking for, while still retaining the practicality expected from an SUV. At the rear, the illuminated Audi logo is another small but very cool touch, and combined with the modern rear light signature, it gives the Q3 a distinctive night-time presence. Audi has managed to make the new Q3 look more grown-up without making it boring, and that is probably my favourite aspect of the exterior.

PERFORMANCE

Under the bonnet of the Q3 Sportback S line Black is Audi's familiar 1.4-litre four-cylinder TFSI turbocharged petrol engine producing 110 kW and 250 Nm. It is paired with Audi's seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and sends its power to the front wheels. Audi claims a 0-100 km/h time of 9.1 seconds, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the character of this engine. The 1.4 TFSI is by no means a bad engine. Around town it is smooth, refined and perfectly capable of dealing with everyday driving, and the S tronic gearbox does a great job of making the most of what the engine has to offer. The problem is that there are moments when the Q3 feels like it could do with a little more punch. Put your foot down for an overtaking manoeuvre or ask for a quick burst of acceleration and there can be a noticeable moment where you are waiting for the gearbox and engine to wake up. Once it does, the S tronic transmission shifts quickly and keeps things moving, but I couldn't help thinking that the Q3's sporty exterior deserves an engine with a little more muscle. This is where the 2.0-litre TDI becomes an interesting alternative. It produces the same 110 kW, but torque jumps significantly to 360 Nm, giving it considerably more pulling power than the petrol model. For buyers who spend plenty of time on the highway, carry passengers regularly or simply prefer that effortless shove that comes with a healthy dose of diesel torque, the TDI could make more sense. It does, however, push the price of the S line Black Sportback beyond the R1-million mark, at R1 002 300, so there is a significant financial consideration too.

COMFORT

Inside is where the new Q3 really shows just how far Audi has moved the game on. The new interior design language is much more modern than before, and the curved panoramic display immediately grabs your attention. It combines the digital driver's display with the central infotainment screen to create a much cleaner, more integrated dashboard rather than simply having two screens stuck onto it. Audi's latest MMI interface is intuitive and relatively easy to navigate, and importantly, it doesn't take long to find the functions you use most often. I also really like the new steering wheel. It sounds like a small detail, but the redesigned wheel and its multifunction controls give the cabin a much more contemporary feel. Audi has also reworked the controls around the steering column, with the gear selector moved to the steering column, freeing up space around the centre console. It is a clever use of space and contributes to that feeling that Audi has properly redesigned the cabin rather than simply giving the previous Q3 a technology upgrade.

The cabin itself is typical Audi clean, modern and well put together with the sort of build quality you expect from a premium German brand. There is also a good balance between technology and everyday usability, while the Sportback's body shape doesn't completely sacrifice practicality. The rear bench can slide to help balance passenger and luggage space, while boot capacity is 488 litres and expands substantially with the rear seats folded. There is, however, one feature that really bothered me: the seats. My test car had manually adjustable seats, and I honestly feel that this is an area Audi could have done better. When you are talking about a vehicle with a starting price of R964 000 in this specification, I expect at least electrically adjustable front seats, particularly for the driver. It might sound like a small complaint, but at this level of the market, buyers are paying for that premium experience, and electric seat adjustment should feel like part of the package rather than something you need to add to the options list.

VERDICT

The new Audi Q3 Sportback is an interesting evolution of what was already a strong product for Audi. It doesn't try to reinvent the compact premium SUV formula completely, but instead takes what worked with the previous Q3 and gives it a much more modern interpretation. The Sportback body style is, in my opinion, the one to have because it gives the Q3 a much sleeker and more distinctive presence, particularly in the S line Black specification. The combination of the black exterior, sharper lighting design, flowing roofline and illuminated Audi logo at the rear gives it plenty of road presence without becoming overly flashy. For South African buyers, though, the pricing is where things become interesting. The new range starts at R814 200 for the conventional Q3 and R849 200 for the Sportback, while the S line Black Sportback tested here comes in at R964 000. That represents a significant increase over the outgoing generation, although Audi has also brought a considerably more modern interior, new technology and a fresh exterior design to the table. The range also comes standard with a five-year/100 000 km Audi Freeway Plan, which adds some value to the overall ownership proposition.

The competition is just as tough, though. The BMW X2 brings its own coupe-SUV interpretation to the segment, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA continues to appeal to buyers looking for that three-pointed-star premium experience. The Q3 Sportback's advantage is that it feels like a very well-rounded package: stylish without being excessive, technologically advanced without being overly complicated and comfortable enough for everyday use. The 1.4 TFSI does leave me wanting a little more performance, and the lack of standard electric seat adjustment is difficult to overlook at this price, but the S tronic gearbox does a good job of compensating for the engine's limitations. Ultimately, the new Q3 Sportback feels like Audi has finally brought the Q3 properly into the modern era. It looks sharper, feels more premium inside and has the technology to match its rivals. If you want the practicality of a compact SUV but don't want something that looks like every other SUV on the road, the Sportback makes a compelling case and in S line Black guise, it is easily one of the best-looking versions of the new Q3.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.4L TFSI
Gear Box	7-Speed S-Tronic
Power	110kW
Torque	250Nm
Fuel Effeciency	6.8L per 100km
Price	R849,200*

*Base Model

 

Bucket Seat: The new Audi Q3

Yesterday I attended the launch of the 3rd generation Audi Q3, this mid-sized SUV has been a market favourite for many over the years and I was looking forward to seeing what the latest iteration of it had to offer. The launch taking place at the picturesque Cavalli Estate in Stellenbosch, set the scene of what we could expect in the new Q3. Previous generations offered a fun and funky feel to the SUV but with the 3rd generation it looks and feels more mature with bolder lines, larger body and modern design. The car is an important one for the brand as it ushers in the latest form of their SUV design language that we have already seen it translated into the designs of the new Q5 and Q7 which were showcased internationally. 

The Q3 launches in two variants, the SUV and the Sportback, both designs are similar with the Sportback having a more sleeker and sloped roof line to mimic a coupe styling. The entire design has been revamped, the front see's a new take on the famous Audi Matrix LED lighting with the day time running LED's having their own cluster and the headlights being house below them. The LED design has been enhanced and now has a projection feature on that gives you signs on the road if you are veering off the lane, warns you of snow and icy conditions and lights up the lane next to you when the indicator is activated. The profile of the car looks more bulky than the previous model with the wheel arches gaining some width to enhance that SUV look. The SUV has has two clear and distinct lines which flow from the bonnet and headlamps respectively which the Sportback has just one because of the sloped roof line. The rear end looks sublime and probably my favourite view of the Q3 with that split light design coming in again and a solid LED bar that runs across the rear. The indicator is integrated into this. With the Matrix LED system you also get an illuminated Audi logo on the rear which looks really cool. 

The interior of the Q3 looks amazing and very similar to that of the A5 we had on test last year. The curved type dash which houses the virtual cockpit and the large infotainment unit. They have done away with the gear shift and like many other manufacturers put this as a stalk behind the steering wheel on the left side, thus leaving more room for storage in the center console. The wireless charging tray has been made bigger thanks to this. The interior lighting has some cool enhancements too, with lighting now available on the door panels and they all integrate with the cars lighting, so for example if you put the hazard lights on, they will animate on the inside as well. The infotainment user interface is really simple to use and phone connectivity made really simple with wireless mobile phone app integration for Car Play and Android Auto. The materials and textures can be suited to your taste, having only driven the S Line trims with both leather and cloth options, both were equally great and comfy, my only gripe is that on the base model you still getting manual seat adjusters. 

On the road, both the petrol and diesel offer great power to the car, the diesel obviously feeling a bit more eager thanks to the torque levels. The car feels solid and capable on the open road with the car being able to speed up smoothly as it shifts through the 7 gears on the S tronic automatic gearbox. The large wheels also make a big difference, combined with the new suspension with dual valve chambers for those pesky potholes makes the ride ultra smooth. The turbo petrol engine delivers 110kW and 250Nm of torque with the turbo diesel producing 110kW with 360Nm of torque. There are planning on introducing a 142kW version of the diesel engine later on. Talks of a performance model were played down as Audi SA are stil unsure but we might see a SQ3 model instead of the RSQ3.

Pricing for the new Q3 is as follows:

All models are sold with a standard 5-year/100,000 km Audi Freeway Plan.

Bucket Seat: Face-lift Audi A3 Range

The Audi A3 and RS 3 Sportback and Sedan head into 2025 with a sportier look, refreshed design elements and enhanced standard specification. In addition, new materials have been applied for increased comfort, and highly specified and eye-catchingly designed Black Edition and Carbon Edition derivatives will form part of the range. Later this year, these models will be supplemented with the S3 Sportback and Sedan.

Now available for order: the engine line-up and trim levels

For the time being, Audi South Africa will offer the standard A3 range with the lauded 1.4-litre 35 TFSI turbocharged petrol engine developing 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque. It’s coupled with a slick-shifting eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission. Buyers can select either S line or Black Edition trim for the Sportback and Sedan models.

The RS 3 Sportback and Sedan, meanwhile, retain the legendary 2.5-litre TFSI five-cylinder engine producing 294kW and 500Nm. The RS 3 accelerates to 100km/h from standstill in just 3.8 seconds. Here, Audi South Africa offers the option of standard or Carbon Edition trim lines, the latter bespoke to our country.

Pricing

• A3 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line / Black Edition: R808,200 / R834,500
• A3 Sedan 35 TFSI S tronic S line / Black Edition: R823,200 / R849,500
• RS 3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic / Carbon Edition: R1,498,200 / R1,591,900
• RS 3 Sedan TFSI quattro S tronic / Carbon Edition: R1,528,200 / R1,610,700

Like all other Audi models, the A3 and RS 3 are sold with a 5-year/100,000km Audi Freeway Plan comprehensive service and maintenance plan as standard.

Bucket Seat: Audi Q2 35 TFSI

Audi launched their subcompact SUV the Q2 back in 2016 with the model reaching our shores around a year later, this was a car was an oddball in the greater scheme of things as it didn't really have any straight up competition from its counterparts, so it made it unique in a way. It was cheaper than the Q3, but still preserved that Audi look and feel to it. Fast forward to the latest version of the Q2 and from what we are told is the last version of it as they are stopping production, not much has changed, while it still preserves the Audi look and feel but I really mean when I say not much has changed, the car looks the same now as it did back in 2016 and I don't really know what is Audi's deal with this one. Yes I know they are discontinuing the model but can adding a few cosmetic changes, slight upgrades to engines and minor tweaks to the tech really entice people to spend that much money on a car that essentially still is from 2016? I spent some time with the car to find out. 

DESIGN

I'm battling to find words to describe the look of this car from the previous models that I've had before, I should really just copy and past what I wrote then, now because there really is nothing much to speak about. Okay, I am being a bit cynical because they have refreshed the design by enhancing key elements by putting bigger broader borders for example around the grille which is a key focal point of the car, giving it a more three dimensional look, the air-intakes on the bottom part of the bumper have been enlarged and its shape is more pronounced, the details continue with a brushed aluminium skid plate underneath the grille. The front is further enhanced by the introduction of new LED matrix headlights which for me is the stand out feature of the car. The back follows the same trend with the accents and lighting and this particular model came with a panoramic sunroof which I quite enjoyed but also added to the looks when opened in the tilt position. The C-Pillar is key design characteristic of the Q2 is coloured differently to the main body paint which helps it stand out more. Like I said, it still is a good design but I just wished they did a bit more. 

PERFORMANCE

The main differentiater between this car and the one that came out in 2016 is the engine, I had the 35 TFSI on test and for those who are not familiar with Audi's naming convention, it basically means this is a 1.4 L Turbo-Petrol engine and let me tell you something, this is the key reason I'm not slating Audi in this review because this engine coupled with that 7-speed tiptronic gearbox was magic. For a car like the Q2, you're not expecting mad performance figures but something that would do well for Urban driving and the occasional long distance trip and for that, this engine was perfect. With just the right amount of power and torque that made driving a pleasure. The engine produces 110kw and 250Nm of torque which for Urban cruising is more than adequate, I did take it on a long distance stint and the beauty of its fuel economy shone through then. Audi didn't give this one the mild-hybrid treatment like the rest of their stable but this engine doesn't need it with a claimed fuel consumption of 6.1-litres to the 100km, and a 50L fuel tank, Audi claim you could get up to 820km from a tank, I think that is a bit of stretch but I think it could easily get to 700km with no hassle. 

COMFORT

This is where my biggest gripe with the Q2 comes in, the interior is a complete let down for me, there is nothing different to me about it, yes they have enabled mobile car apps but it is only accessible via a USB cable. The UI is still that same junk from 2016 with slight enhancements to the graphics, the infotainment screen resolution is crap and really shows when using Apple Car Play. The general layout of the interior is out dated quite frankly a slap in the face for anyone walking into a showroom, looking at the new Audi models interiors and then seeing this. The least I feel they could have done was incorporate the Audi connect screen that comes in the Audi A4 and Q5 models. That aside, the choice of materials and textures used in the cabin is of great quality, the seats are super comfortable, for this price tag I do wish they came with electric seats though, they were heated and I did make use of this as it still was chilly in Durban that time so that was a nice plus. The rear passengers enjoy decent leg room and head room, even though this car is a compact one. The boot space is nothing to write home about but can store your groceries with ease, just not a golf bag, which you would have to drop the seats for. 

VERDICT

I didn't hate my time with the Audi Q2, because it still is a well made car, which is super fun to drive and extremely comfortable for its size but that price tag is what bothers me, for what you getting I think they could have given you a bit more. Maybe throw in a surround camera view, bigger screen, electric seats and a bit more cosmetic changes to the outside. The winning feature for me as mentioned were the matrix LED headlights and the panoramic sunroof deserves a mention but with a starting price of R744,980, it will have many considering other options for that price range.  

 SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.4L T
Gear Box	7-speed TipTronic
Torque	250Nm
Power	110kW
Fuel Consumption	6.1L per 100km
Price	R744,980

Bucket Seat: Audi Q5 Black Edition

Audi’s global bestseller, the Q5 premium midsize SUV, gains a quartet of new Black Edition derivatives for the South African market. Placing the focus squarely on dynamic design and convenience, these new options in the Q5 range join a plethora of special edition variants across the Q2, A3, Q3 and A4 line-ups that have captivated local buyers with their design appeal, generous standard specification and compelling finance offers.

Q5 40 TDI and 40 TFSI up the ante

Stationed above the popular Advanced trim line in the Q5 range, the new 40 TDI 140kW and 40 TFSI 183kW models available in SUV and Sportback body styles utilise Audi’s frugal four-cylinder turbodiesel and turbopetrol engines. The powerplants are mated with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission that ensure quick shifts and optimum powerband operation.

Over and above the generous standard specification, the Q5 40 TDI 140kW and 40 TFSI 183kW Black Edition models and their Sportback equivalents offer:

• Black styling plus package and black mirrors
• 20-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels
• Matrix LED headlamps
• Technology package, including MMI navigation plus and Audi connect infotainment services
• Deluxe package, which incorporates:
• Panoramic sunroof
• Trailer hitch
• Comfort key
• City assistance package (rear-view camera, lane-change assist, pre-sense rear)
• Sport seats with electric memory adjustment, incl. 4-way lumbar support
• Electrically folding mirrors
• Accent surfaces in gloss black
• Flat-bottom steering wheel
• Storage and luggage package

The Q5 40 TDI 140kW Black Edition retails for R1,210,500 (SUV) / R1,273,500 (Sportback), while the Q5 40 TFSI 183kW Black Edition costs R1,215,600 (SUV) / R1,278,400 (Sportback). All Audis feature a five-year/100,000km Audi Freeway Plan service and maintenance plan as standard. 

SQ5: performance melds perfectly with practicality

Those customers who desire a sportier drive without sacrificing any of the practicality and refinement that have made the Q5 range so popular are catered for by the SQ5 TFSI. Thanks to its 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine delivering a stout 260kW and 500Nm of torque and mated with an eight-speed torque-converter Tiptronic automatic transmission, the SQ5 bolts from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds.

Reflecting its standing as the flagship product in the Q5 line-up, the SQ5 Black Edition includes the following luxury and convenience features:

• 
  Black styling plus package and black mirrors
• 21-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels
• Matrix LED headlamps
• Panoramic sunroof
• Trailer hitch
• Bang & Olufsen premium sound system
• Comfort key
• Audi phone box
• Sport seats with electric memory adjustment
• Adaptive air suspension sport
• Park assist package
• Storage and luggage package

The SQ5 TFSI Black Edition costs R1,541,000 (SUV) / R1,612,800 (Sportback)

Bucket Seat: Audi e-tron 55 Sportback

It seems like a life time ago since I got to experience Audi's range of electric cars at their launch in Cape Town, even though it was March 2022. Just feels like so much has happened since then and truth be told, a lot has happened but rather late than never, Audi sent down a test unit for me to zoot across town with a for a week. It wasn't the Iron Man edition RS e-tron GT but rather the 55 Sportback which, coincidentally I didn't get to drive on that evening, so I wasn't too disappointed to see this quietly roll into my driveway. Audi is one of the only manufacturers who have committed to a date whereby they will be stopping production on all internal combustion engines from their line-up, some might so bold, some might say stupid but given the vast array of models showcased in their e-tron line-up, it might be very bold of them to do so. After experiencing what the RS GT could do, I was blown away, so spending a week with the e-tron 55 Sportback was looking rather exciting to me, especially seeing that this would be my fourth EV on test, and the first from Audi, so I could gauge how different their approach is to the competitions. 

DESIGN

The one question I got when EV's were first introduced into the market was "why must they be so ugly", I get that manufacturers wanted them to stand out, but some designs were a bit out there. I admired the creativity from some brands which incorporated recycled materials and made their EV's in factories which were Green rating but to the normal consumer, these were not characteristics they were interested, they just wanted normal looking cars and to their credit, that is exactly what Audi have done. The e-tron 55 Sportback looks as normal as a car could be, Audi say it combines spaciousness of an SUV with the performance of a four-door coupe. The lines of the car are stunning and with the large 21-inch 5 V spoke diamond turned rims really make the car give off a commanding presence. The headlamps are identical to the Q3, the body is similar shape to the Q5 and the only major difference is the dynamic looking rear of the car with the solid rear light. Both front and back lights are Audi's famed Matrix LED's which provide you with a welcome sequence "dance" as they like to call it, which one never gets tired of. The colour of this particular model was something that got a lot of attention too, the one pager I got with the car said it was Beige but after looking at the Audi website, the closest colour to it from their pallet I could see was "Typhoon Grey Pearl", I'll go with Beige. I know I said the car looked normal but there are distinct design differences which does make the car stand out and be more bold than other SUV's in the Audi stable. While the large Audi grille is there, it's completely blanked off, as there isn't a radiator that needs cool air to come through the car. The SUV coupe body does make it look ever so elegant on the road as well, one of the other big talking points was the lack of side mirrors which were replaced with the optional extra virtual exterior mirrors which I will touch on further on in the blog. The interior design matched the current new design language from Audi, almost a replica of the Q8 SUV Coupe. 

PERFORMANCE

From the previous reviews, we know that EV's are super quick, with no combustion engine and no gears, it just means all the power available at once! But these cars are heavy, thanks to the batteries and other electrical elements to make the car function, also there has to be a way of regulating the power delivery to the wheels otherwise the driver and its occupants would suffer from whiplash on every take off! The 55 Sportback comes power with two synchronous electric motor which derive a combined power output of  300kW and 664Nm of torque at full tilt, this can be adjusted by the various driving modes with Dynamic being the one that unleashes the most amount of power on demand and Eco being the one that limits the most power. The various modes would obviously determine the amount of power is consumed by the batteries, hence the range when fully charged can give you anything from 372km to 453km. An interesting thing happened to me while driving this car, I think given the fact that I have driven quite a few of the newer EV's, I found that my range anxiety was no where existent when driving the 55 Sportback. Not sure if it was due to the realisation that this was one of the bigger batteries being the 95kW giving that longer lasting usage or that I was just becoming accustomed to EV driving. For the 7 days I had it, I probably only needed to charge it once but due to the inner journalist in me, I had to go try out the various new charges that have been installed around town. Fast charging had me go from 10% to 99% in just 28 minutes, you can download the Audi app and keep connected to monitor your cars status while you go about your shopping and know exactly when its time to go. The Quattro four wheel drive gives the car more composure and helps balance out that high torque factor, the large tyres minimize the bumps on the road and gives you a softer ride. The e-tron 55 is the first EV I saw with charging ports on either side of the car and with automatic retractable and closing covers. The right side also had the DC fast charging while the other had the normal AC charging port only. 

COMFORT

Being based of an SUV, even though the coupe spec, the 55 Sportback was extremely spacious. The brown leather seats really complemented the beige exterior and black finishes on the inside. The piano black elements gave the car the premium feeling it deserves. The e-tron like the Q8 comes with a triple screen display, with the virtual cockpit which can be changed per user preference to display anything form your normal speedometer, to a full size navigation map. The main infotainment screen with MMI touch response is easy to use with Audi's new tile interface and has wireless mobile app connectivity which is simple to setup. The bottom screen is mainly used for the climate control settings but also displays the keyboard for navigation and as a sketch surface to write commands into. The gear shift is a rather interesting design, which looks like a plane throttle lever, its wrapped in soft touch leather which makes its nice place to rest your hand while driving, not that I'd encourage it as both hands should be on the steering at all times! The drive quality on the e-tron is smooth as silk, the lack of noise coupled with how easy it is to maneuver this large chassis around really makes it a pleasure. Now many think due to the car being electric, most of the creature comforts of the normal cars are cut out due to their high power consumption, well you'd be wrong because the e-tron 55 Sportback also offers seat heating for the driver and front passenger. The rear occupants also get dual zone climate control, a full panoramic sunroof, mesmerizing ambient lighting fills the cabin at night and remember those virtual exterior mirrors? Well add another two more screens, one on each door panel. It was a bit to get your head around at first but one quickly adjusts to it. Coming in at R24,000, it may seem like a massive waste of money but to me, after using them and seeing how much more attention it gets you, if you spending this much on a car, whats that little bit more to make it stand out? The benefits of it really came through in night driving, where it would cancel out the harsh glares from cars behind and give you a better view of either side when driving. The car also came with Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D sound system which is standard by the way. The slanted boot has an automated tailgate with a large luggage space and a full size spare wheel. The charging cables can be found at the front of the car. The Matrix LED lighting works like a dream, knowing when to switch on the extended lights, beam lights onto road signed and bend around corners, seriously my favourite lighting from all manufacturers at the moment. 

VERDICT

I say this with a big chest, as this is the first EV I've driven and felt it just as or even better than a normal car. The confidence you get from driving the e-tron really gives you faith in Audi's goal of cutting out the ICE engines from their line up by 2026. If the technology they've managed to create now can deliver so much in their products, I can't wait to see what the next range of e-trons have to offer. While I was snobbish at the launch, only opting to drive the GT's because I wanted to unleash my inner Tony Stark, these are the really money makers for the brand and where you see the true benefit of their EV journey. It's for everyday people, doing everyday things but without the hassle of needing to fill fuel. I think if driven properly and not like a maniac like me, one only has to charge these cars maybe once every 10 days if its basic running around town you're doing. The regenerating power from the average driving around is pretty good too, so you learn to adapt to get the maximum benefits from it. The price is a bit much and a big pill to swallow but its the price to pay to change the future which is inevitable. There is a massive drive to get more charging facilities in the country and Audi have partnered with Rubicon to install more chargers at their dealerships and malls around the country. This is another massive positive step to making South Africa more EV friendly. Notice I didn't bring up load shedding once in this article but I have to unfortunately, lucky for us, its the one thing that we get right all the time, they keep to the time tables so you should plan in advance if your car requires charging, don't get caught out then put the blame on Eskom if you aren't quick to act. Also not sure if I mentioned in any of my other posts on EV's, most public places have dedicated EV parking bays, like major shopping malls and the airport, which are usually right by the entrance and wheel-clamp zones for none EV's, so you score on that front by getting premium parking!

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	Two Synchronous Electric
Gear Box	Single Gear
Torque	664Nm
Power	300kW
0-100km	5.7 seconds
Price	R2,115,000