The Audi e-tron SUV has been on sale for a couple of years now, but one thing that has disappointed is its driving range. Well, a free software update from Audi should help matters for every single e-tron 55 quattro sold worldwide.
Range enhancement
The update, which can be made at any Audi service centre, sees the car's software reprogrammed to improve the efficiency of the car's 95kWh battery, which now has a usable capacity of 86kWh. The upgrade has been achieved courtesy of better optimisation of thermal management within the car's high-voltage running gear and by reducing electrical losses within the drive system, too. The update is claimed to add an additional 20km (12.4 miles) of range.
It's part of the ongoing development that Audi is undertaking with its e-tron models. It contributes to a maximum range of 441km (274 miles) for the current e-tron - as well as a range of 453km (281 miles) for the e-tron Sportback - but the software enhancements are being retroactively added to any e-tron 55 quattro model built from the start of production in September 2018 onwards. So while early e-tron 55 quattros won't be able to match the latest production cars for maximum range, the extra 20km will bring some benefit to existing owners.
Under the skin
As well as improving the e-tron's battery capacity, the update introduces a new management system for the front-mounted electric motor. It is now almost permanently disconnected, so the e-tron is rear-wheel drive the majority of the time, and the front motor only activates when extra power is needed. Before, the car's electrical system sent a small amount of battery power to the front motor to keep it primed for use, but this is now no longer the case, which reduces electrical drag on the car's battery.
The other major improvement is with the cooling system for the car's high-voltage components. The control system has been modified to reduce the amount of coolant volume that's needed around the car's DC fast-charging system, which again reduces the load drawn from the car's high-voltage battery, and contributes to the additional range.
Owners can take advantage of the e-tron 55 quattro's software update now by making an appointment with an Audi service centre, or the update can be added at the car's next service.