All-electric Audi – words you were not expecting? I was invited to Scotland to discover the brand new Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q4 e-tron. A few years ago, an electric car was something of a disappointment but now, this is the future of driving.
First Impressions
We started our day from Edinburgh airport in the all-electric Audi Q4 e-tron. The roads to begin with were dual carriage ways and motorways which was a great opportunity to test the car out and push it to its limit to see how powerful and fast it really was. It sped down the motorway with ease and surprisingly, silence. I was expected the usual roar as the speed raised, so I couldn’t quite believe how quiet the car was. Even later in the day when I had my windows down to enjoy the scenery and sun beaming in, I could hear the tweets of the birds flying around and sounds of animals in the distance.
Driving the all-electric Audi Q4 e-tron
After departing the motorway, we were rewarded to dramatic scenery of mountains, forests and lochs which all looked like they were from another world. The roads gracefully winded around the natural beauty of the Scottish countryside and the all-electric Audi Q4 e-tron glided through these roads with control and elegance. It made every twist and turn effortlessly meaning I could enjoy the drive and admire the views that surrounded me. We took a pit stop at Errichel House, a beautiful restaurant and deli high up the mountain top with panoramic views of the land below. The food here had been inspired by the travels of the chef from Mexico, Morocco and Asia and was a great place to relax after a morning of driving around the Scottish countryside.
Turning up the speed with the all-electric e-tron GT
After lunch I took the Audi e-tron GT for a spin. Instantly I could tell this car had some power behind it as it kept wanting to go faster and was biting to be let loose. This was a completely different drive to the Audi G4 e-tron as it has lightening fast responses and incisive handling making it an exciting and entertaining ride. The last stretch to our final destination was back on a dual carriageway which I was racing to get on to, so I could fully accelerate and feel the velocity of this sports car.
The features I loved
The Audi e-tron GT also comes with the best massaging chair I have experienced. It has multiple settings whether you want a full back massage, focus on a certain area or different pressures. This made the journey even more comfortable. I can imagine this would be a great addition to your drive back and forth from work, or on a long car journey to unwind and sink into your seat.
Both cars come with similar features for instance the augmented reality head-up display which shows your current speed, the speed limit on the road and your next direction from the sat nav. At first, I wasn’t too sure about this display and thought I would find it distracting, but within a few minutes of driving I realised it was extremely helpful. I then didn’t look at the main sat nav or dashboard during all the days driving as everything I needed to view was at eye level. This is a great touch which means you can relax into your journey.
A night at a Vegan Hotel
We eventually arrived at our home for the night, Saorsa 1875, the UK’s first vegan hotel. Everything from the food and drinks they provide, the bedding and products in your room are all vegan making it the perfect fit for the new all-electric electric Audi cars. The hotel has also added an electric charging point so it’s a great place to base yourself knowing your car can charge up ready for your adventure the next day.
That evening we were treated to a cooking class where we made our own vegan mozzarella which tasted so creamy and delicious, it would easily be mistaken for the real thing. We also had a go at cocktail making followed by 5-course dinner full of vegan delights. The combination of tastes, colours and textures highlighted the diversity of vegan food and showcased to meat lovers that you can still have a tasty and hearty meal without using any sort of animal produce.
Connecting with nature
The next morning, we were woken early to attend a yoga class followed with a homemade breakfast full of mouth-watering treats from croissants, overnight oats and beans of toast, all vegan of course. We were then invited on a hike to Black Spout Waterfall, which is set within an oak wood and has a tranquil stream and an abundance of wildlife surrounding it. The 60m waterfall makes a dramatic welcome when you walk onto the viewing platform and was a real treat to see.
Being surrounded by all this glorious nature throughout the trip, reminds us of why cars are moving to electric. Not only are the new all-electric Audi’s elegant, classy and fun to drive, but they are really important to the countryside that we take for granted by having zero local emissions.
If you are looking for a family car or just need more space and comfort, then the Audi Q4 e-tron is definitely the car you are looking for. They start from £40,750 which I feel is a responsible price for the quality and features the car provides. However, if you want a more thrilling drive and a car to show off then the Audi e-tron GT is for you. They are more expensive and range from £79,900 to £133,340 but if you are wanting an electric sports car that doesn’t compromise, this really is an incredible car to choose.
No matter what car you choose, both will seamlessly fit into your day to day life and provide enjoyment as well as helping the planet one drive at a time.
To discover more about the all-electric Audis, visit: audi.co.uk
All imagery courtesy of Audi.
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