Heels & Horsepower Magazine

What you should know about charging the Audi e-tron

For over 100 years, Audi’s history has been marked by prestige, automotive ambition and technological excellence.

Here are a few things you need to know about charging the Audi e-tron range which is due to hit our shores soon.

Does the Audi e-tron come with a charger?

Each Audi e-tron comes standard with an AC charging unit and two charging cords – a standard domestic 3 pin 16 amp plug and a 32 amp industrial plug and cable (recommended) capable of up-to 7.2kW charging.

What can I do to prepare my home for electric vehicle charging?

Audi South Africa will partner with a certified installation service provider to provide you with home energy solutions to ensure you can charge your Audi e-tron in the best possible way. For further information please contact your preferred Audi e-tron Dealer.

What is the anticipated charging time for the Audi e-tron?

Most of us will charge our electric vehicle just like our cell phone – overnight on trickle charge, and at the lowest rate provided by the energy supplier. Charging time will vary based on your electrical current supply i.e. 16 amp/32 amp and the charge state of your e-tron’s battery.

Estimated charge time against 32 amp power supply is approx. 13 hours from flat to fully charged. An overnight 8 hour charge will give you approx. 240km of range. Charging stations outside of your home will have a varying kW charge, however are generally at a 50 kW level, allowing a full charge from flat in a little under 2 hours.

What effect will loadshedding have?

Loadshedding is generally managed and scheduled per area, so you should be able to plan around this. Most home-charging takes place overnight, when loadshedding does not usually occur.

If at any time, loadshedding takes place when you need to charge your e-tron, you may find a suitable public charging facility close to your place of residence.

The range is the Audi e-tron is sufficient, so that often, with usual daily commuting, daily charging is not always necessary.

Are there many charging stations outside of the main cities? How do I find them?

Yes, there are many public charging stations around the country for fast (DC) charging. We are partnering with a leading and reputable service provider to ensure customers have access to the available public charging stations across the country.

  • NB: The above answers about charging the e-tron are based on the Audi e-tron 55. Some of these questions will also apply to other plug-in hybrid and fully electric models.

All the basic stuff you ought to know about the Audi e-tron

For over 100 years, Audi’s history has been marked by prestige, automotive ambition and technological excellence.

Here are a few basic things you need to know about the Audi e-tron range which is due to hit our shores soon.

Can you tow with the Audi e-tron? What towing capacity does it offer?

Yes, the Audi e-tron can tow. The tow rating on the Audi e-tron is 1.8 tonne. A tow bar is available as an optional accessory.

What is the range of the Audi e-tron?

WLTP (real world driving test) sets the Audi e-tron 55 quattro range at up to 417km, Audi e-tron 55 Sportback range at up to 446km, and the Audi e-tron 50 quattro Advanced has an estimated range of up to 336km. This is variable based on driving conditions, style, situation and terrain.

The e-tron offers an innovative recuperation system, meaning the vehicle can recover energy in two ways allowing the potential of further range: by means of coasting recuperation when the driver releases the accelerator, or by means of braking recuperation when the brake pedal is depressed. In both cases, the electric motors function as a generator and convert the kinetic energy of the Audi e-tron into electric energy so you can raise your charge level when driving.

What performance does the Audi e-tron deliver?

Two electric motors power the Audi e-tron. The Audi e-tron 55 quattro and e-tron 55 quattro Advaned has a system output of up to 300 kW (in boost mode) and 664 Nm of torque. The Audi SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with top speed electronically governed at 200 km/h.

The Audi e-tron 50 quattro Advanced outputs up to 320 kW and 540 Nm of torque, while accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 190 km/h.

Is there anything special regarding the Audi e-tron’s handling?

The electric e-tron SUV is optimised for on-road and off-road capability. Placement of the battery gives the Audi e-tron a low centre of gravity, enhancing the dynamics of the vehicle.

Air suspension come standard on the vehicle, allowing customisation at the push of a button.

Does the Audi e-tron feature quattro technology?

quattro has gone electric with the Audi e-tron. Our iconic 4WD system allows all terrain capability within the e-tron model.

What safety systems does the Audi e-tron have?

  • ISOfix child safety system
  • Audi level of active and passive safety features
  • Class leading driver assistance systems
  • Battery – Crash tested safety system

Is there a range of accessories available for the vehicle?

We have a wide range of Audi e-tron accessories available from your local authorised Audi Dealer to suit your needs and lifestyle including roof rails and attachments to mount roof boxes.

Tribute to a global industry giant, the late Dr Johan van Zyl

On Friday 6th August 2021, industry player from around the globe, joined Toyota South Africa bid farewell to one of Africa’s business giants, Dr Johan van Zyl, during a touching celebration of his life and legacy.  

Dr van Zyl began his career with the company in 1993 as Director for Vehicle Sales & Dealer Network. He was appointed President and COO of Toyota South Africa (TSA) in 2002, and President and CEO in 2003. In June 2009, Dr van Zyl was appointed as a Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation(TMC), CEO of Africa Region in April 2013, and Senior Managing Officer in April 2017.

In 2015 he took on the role of President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe (TME) until his retirement in early 2021. It was noted that he left an indelible mark there too as, under his tenure, sales in Europe passed the one-million mark in 2019 for the first time in 10 years. On his return to South Africa, Dr van Zyl remained chairman of TSA.

He was without a doubt my mentor and confidante and I’m going to miss bouncing ideas off him.

– Andrew Kirby, Dr van Zyl’s successor and current President and CEO of Toyota South Africa

“The Doc”, as he was affectionately known, had an uncanny sense of knowing just what consumers want and he was able to instill this thinking in all his colleagues, which is why he had such a profound impact on the Toyota Family.

But for all his successes in the corporate world, what “The Doc” will be remembered for the most was his humanity – his ability to remember the name of each and every person he came into contact with, his self- deprecating sense of humour that immediately put everyone at ease, and his comprehensive wealth of general knowledge.

Due to the pandemic restrictions, physical attendance at the company’s Sales and Marketing head office was limited to close family, friends and Toyota colleagues, but thanks to technology, close to 7000 from around the globe were able to watch the livestream and playback of the proceedings.

It was a fitting tribute to a truly remarkable captain of industry as all 14 speakers attested to. Andrew Kirby, Dr van Zyl’s successor and current President and CEO of Toyota South Africa, was personally appointed by the Doc.

“I owe my career and many opportunities that I have been given to Johan. He helped me develop and lead me to where I am today. He was without a doubt my mentor and confidante and I’m going to miss bouncing ideas off him.”

Brand Pretorius recalled that the last time he stood at the podium in the Toyota Auditorium was 26 years ago when he was still at the helm of Toyota; then it was for his own farewell, and now it was for farewell of another kind, but a far sadder one – saying goodbye to his lifelong friend. Interestingly, it was Brand that set Johan on the automotive path, having poached him from academia.

“From the first moment I met him I could sense his formidable intellect and integrity. I was also impressed with this sense of attitude, energy, passion and saw some definitive leadership qualities that would lead to greater things. I knew we needed him to be part of the Toyota team. In 1993, we had a vacancy for the Director of Sales and Dealer Network. I recruited him and got him to join Toyota… He did a brilliant job and I was immensely proud of him.”

Brand Pretorius

And true to that prophecy he did scale the heights of automotive excellence, landing the top spot as President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe (TME) in 2015. His successor, Matthew Harrison recounts that he “will forever remember his leadership and humour. He leaves behind an incredible legacy of his six years in Europe. Under his leadership, we grew the business to over 1 million sales and Toyota became the Number-two passenger car brand for the first time in our history.

He saw the opportunities to partner with government and to grow local component manufacturing

– Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition

We also led the market in terms of our electrification mix and environmental performance. At the same time, we increased our profitability… We will also never forget his personal engagement in the Brexit negotiations to ensure the best possible outcome for Toyota.”

The Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition, Ebrahim Patel echoed Matt’s sentiments, highlighting how Johan was instrumental in helping to shape the new fit-for-purpose APDP.

“He saw the opportunities to partner with government and to grow local component manufacturing. He just had passion for industrialisation. By 2019, before the pandemic hit, the industry in South Africa had reached record local production and export levels – a tribute to his leadership and his work.”

What was noteworthy is that despite the fact that each speaker touched on a different aspect of their time with the Doc, there was one golden thread – and that was sheer quality of his humanity. Roelf Meyer, summed it up the most appropriately: “Johan had the most unassuming nature – his interactions with people from grass-roots level to presidents was the same. It was a model on how all people should conduct themselves.”

It’s therefore fitting that Andrew Kirby closed off the event with the announcement that in recognition of Dr Van Zyl’s significant contribution to the SA motor industry, the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) is going to set up a memorial education initiative in his name – the proceeds from the members will be bequeathed to TWIMS (Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies) and will be used as bursaries for deserving students.

Toyota South Africa is also going to establish a Dr Johan van Zyl Scholarship Bursary Endowment Fund to further the much-needed education of previously-disadvantaged South Africans. (In a similar vein, Matthew Harrison also announced that TME would be establishing a foundation in Dr van Zyl’s name to support education and uplift young people; a scholarship in the Doc’s name will likewise be set up in Israel.)

Introducing Audi’s most powerful diesel engine: The Audi SQ7 and SQ8

Local pricing and availability

The SQ7 and SQ8 TDI are officially available for sale in South Africa in limited numbers as part of a once-off launch opportunity. The models are priced as follows (inclusive of all taxes) and comes standard with a five year Audi Freeway Plan:

Audi SQ7 TDI quattro                              R 1,679,500

Audi SQ8 TDI quattro                               R1,848,500

 
 

WATCH: Tribute to the late Dr Johan van Zyl

Watch the short tribute, produced by Toyota South Africa, in honor of the late great Dr Johan van Zyl, which will be aired on South African television platforms in celebration of his life and legacy.