2019 Audi e-tron EV SUV scores 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating

Team OD Updated: August 22, 2019, 10:29 AM IST

Audi's first all-electric car, the 2019 Audi e-tron SUV, has scored a 5-star safety rating, as per safety testing agency Euro NCAP. The European-spec LHD car was tested, in the sole 55 Quattro trim that this EV is available in.

The e-tron scored 34.9 points out of 38 in adult safety protection, giving it a 91 per cent score. The testing agency noted that the passenger compartment of the e-tron remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. The tests also showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. The SUV also did well in the full-width rigid barrier test, commendably protecting occupants. Only the more severe side pole test caught it out, with less protection to the occupants' chests. There was also good protection against whiplash injuries.

The scores for child safety were also quite good at 85 per cent. The car gets standard ISOFIX child-restraint systems for the rear, while the passenger airbag has a cut-off switch. The Audi scored 71 per cent in pedestrian safety. Poor results were recorded only at the base of the windscreen and on the stiff windscreen pillars. The safety assistance score was 76 per cent with all the alerts and mitigation systems working well. However, it must be noted that the Active Emergency Braking system that this car was equipped with, may not be available on the Indian-spec car when it launches later this year.

The e-tron is expected to be priced around the Rs 1.2 crore mark, when it launches in India later this year. It is motivated by a liquid-cooled 95kWh lithium-ion battery between the two axles. This powers two electric motors, one on each axle, for a combined output of 265kW and 561Nm, and AWD capabilities. This lets the electric SUV get from 0-100kmph in 6.6s and on to a top speed of 200kmph. A boost function is available which increases outputs to 300kW and 664Nm, and drops the acceleration time to 5.7s.