Difference between Audi A3 E-Tron and "Ultra E-Tron"

Octavius · Nov 13, 2015

So apparently there are two different trim models. One is the standard 16" low rolling resistant tires and badged 'ultra', and another is any other wheel package with the badge removed.

Apparently without the "Ultra" tire system, on fueleconomy.gov, the mpg and electric range takes quite a hit with 17" and 18" wheels and tires

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do? ... 0&id=37129

Anyone know more about this?

PJFW8 · Nov 14, 2015

There is also a sport package with larger wheels. A foot note says that this tire package reduces range. I wonder if that is the tire combo with the poor range or perhaps that is even worse! The owner in Ireland got great mileage. Does Ireland use the Imperial 5 quart gallon or the US 4 quart gallon? If it is a 5 quart gallon that would convert to mid-40's in US mileage.

Octavius · Nov 14, 2015

The European uses a different standard for mileage and economy than the U.S.. I'm not sure what exactly the difference is, but it always favors fuel economy better than in real world use (much like the old EPA ratings). They still show that A3 E-tron gets 31 mi electric range on the NEDC cycle.

jerry3561 · Nov 15, 2015

PJFW8":2jtyxfmq said:
There is also a sport package with larger wheels. A foot note says that this tire package reduces range. I wonder if that is the tire combo with the poor range or perhaps that is even worse! The owner in Ireland got great mileage. Does Ireland use the Imperial 5 quart gallon or the US 4 quart gallon? If it is a 5 quart gallon that would convert to mid-40's in US mileage.

While the Imperial gallon is approximately 20% larger than the US gallon, this only goes part way to explaining the difference in mpg. I have achieved greater economy in terms of mpg but 55 is a fairly accurate representation of what is possible as it is averaged over 1,700 miles of all types of road from single-track to motorway and over various speeds from 30 mph to 80 mph.

As far as electric range is concerned, I typically achieve somewhere in the mid 20's on a single charge. I charge using the provided Audi charging system at 240/250 V 16A.

PJFW8 · Nov 15, 2015

Thanks, jerry. Perhaps Audi is being cautious. Ford has restated their electric range and "hybrid" mileage for the CMax Energi twice. Lower each time. Your real world experience is useful and appreciated.

bruintoo · Nov 16, 2015

jerry3561":22y36j5e said:
PJFW8":22y36j5e said:

There is also a sport package with larger wheels. A foot note says that this tire package reduces range. I wonder if that is the tire combo with the poor range or perhaps that is even worse! The owner in Ireland got great mileage. Does Ireland use the Imperial 5 quart gallon or the US 4 quart gallon? If it is a 5 quart gallon that would convert to mid-40's in US mileage.

Click to expand...

While the Imperial gallon is approximately 20% larger than the US gallon, this only goes part way to explaining the difference in mpg. I have achieved greater economy in terms of mpg but 55 is a fairly accurate representation of what is possible as it is averaged over 1,700 miles of all types of road from single-track to motorway and over various speeds from 30 mph to 80 mph.

As far as electric range is concerned, I typically achieve somewhere in the mid 20's on a single charge. I charge using the provided Audi charging system at 240/250 V 16A.

Unless, of course Audi changed the available kWh of e-trons coming to the US somehow so that there is always backup range for sporty performance. Only way to tell is for US owners to fully test these cars.

PJFW8 · Nov 16, 2015

Having driven a plug-in CMax Energi for almost 3 years I will be able to post realistic numbers. I should have my car in 2 weeks unless the lease is unfavorable!

pkulak · Nov 18, 2015

If you do the math from the EPA number (assuming 90% charging efficiency), you get about 5.8 kWh of useable capacity, which is far lower than the 7+ number apparently in use in the rest of the world. Audi themselves has said that the US version is still 8.8 kWh, but I really think there's something fishing going on. My best guess is that they took the useable capacity way down because of US emissions requirements (to make sure that the battery never loses capacity, which would change the emissions numbers as the car ages). That's apparently why the Volt uses such shallow charge and discharge cycles as well.

klaus · Nov 19, 2015

Do we know for sure if the 8.8 kWh battery capacity is the full or the useable capacity? I seem to remember some automakers posting the full capacity and others only posting the useable capacity of their battery pack, further leading to the confusion...

pkulak · Nov 19, 2015

Audi says it's 8.8 in all their US literature. It's the usable capacity that I'm trying to figure out; they don't mention that anywhere that I can find.

jerry3561 · Nov 20, 2015

Doing some research on the technical systems of the e-tron, I discovered a slide that lists the capacity of the European variant of the e-tron as 8.8 kWh of which 7.04 kWh are useable.