Audi Gives Older e-tron Models More Range

Audi is preparing to unleash an onslaught of new electric vehicles, among which is theall-new Q6 e-tron. We're also getting some stunningnew S-badged performance modelssoon. At the same time as developing and releasing new EVs, Audi is also continuouslyupgrading existing all-electric modelslike theAudi e-tron SUV, but while most cars would only see changes from a new model year, the wonders of the internet have allowed modern cars to get upgrades long after they roll off the dealer floor. Audi's e-tron SUV is one of these, and the German automaker has announced that 2019 and 2020 55 quattro models of the electric crossover will now be capable of going even further on a single charge.

The free software update "expands usable range of the high-voltage battery, reduces electric losses in the e-motor, and optimizes thermal management." This update allows the 95 kWh battery in the crossover to deliver more net usable power, which is now rated at 86 kWh. The update is available for 34,000 55 quattro models built between mid-September 2018 and the end of November 2019 (model year 2019 and 2020 respectively). Audi claims that the changes deliver improvements of up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of additional range "in actual driving conditions," which works out to around 5% more range on a single charge.