Audi Q8

We are just back from the Audi Brand Singapore Experience 2018 that concluded yesterday. This five-day event gave us an illustration of Audi’s vision of the future in terms of urban mobility, autonomous driving and electrification.

Audi e-tron

We were expecting this vehicle to be exhibited at the stall, but couldn’t find it anywhere. But as they say, the best things are to be kept for the last. Audi too brought this car in at the end of the show and in style. In fact, it was driven into the area stating how close it is to production. This is Audi’s first fully-electric SUV that made its debut in San Francisco and will be introduced for the Indian market in 2019. Its USP is to provide a range of 400km and its ability to get charged to 80 per cent of its capacity in just 30 minutes with a DC fast charger. It will be slotted between the Q5 and the Q7 SUV when launched in India.

Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo and Formula E

I was excited to see the e-tron Vision GT at the show. This was once only a virtual car in the ‘Gran Turismo’ PlayStation game and is now a fully functional race car. It makes demo runs at Formula E races to attract the crowd. Another car that grabbed attention at this show was this single-seater Formula E electric race car. This is in the latest iteration for the all-electric Formula E Series.

Audi Aicon

The fully autonomous Audi Aicon took the prime spot amongst a slew of cars displayed. It has suicide doors that open into a futuristic cabin with no steering wheel or even pedals. One can just sit back and relax in a first-class lounge-like cabin. The car will drive on its own and Audi says they plan to bring it out on the roads by 2021. It is expected to deliver 700-800km on a single-charge making it impressive for a futuristic, fully-electric self-driving car.

Audi Elaine

The other concept car that gives a glimpse of the future is the Elaine, also shown to us but at the end of the show. This vehicle comes equipped with a steering wheel and pedals, but still comes powered by AI – Audi intelligent technologies. So the Elaine, which is a level four self-driving car, can drop you at a mall and park itself.

Audi’s portfolio

The carmaker had also displayed almost their entire range at the pavilion. These included the new Audi Q2, A3 models, A6, A7 Sportback, TT, S5, A8L, Q7 and even the Q8 amongst other models totalling to around 60 units.

Visitors including us were able to easily witness the ‘Vorsprung’ of the brand’s new range of products and innovations, thanks to this Audi Brand Singapore Experience 2018.

Pictures by Ninad Ambre