Audi e-tron test drive in Berlin

Experience what everyone’s talking about

DRIVE offers much more than a preview of the new all-electric Volkswagen ID.3, which will be showcased at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt later this year. Every visitor with a driver’s licence is invited to test drive an electric vehicle from the Volkswagen Group – free of charge – and drive past some of the famous sights in Berlin.

On the approximately 30-minute test drive, you will be accompanied by an experienced instructor. The vehicles offer space for up to three passengers. The Volkswagen e-Golf and the Audi e-tron are currently available for test drives in DRIVE. Jan from Kassel, Germany opted for the e-tron.

Accelerate and smile

Inside the car, the first thing one notices is that something is missing. Without engine noise, the e-tron glides over the roadway in absolute silence. “The windscreen is double-pane glass and the side windows are made from acoustic glass – this also reduces tyre noise,” explains Thomas Lichtenwald from the test drive team.

Jan ventures out on the road in the e-tron and the responsiveness of the electric motor instantly brings a smile to his face. “So that’s the acceleration everyone has been talking about,” he says. “Really impressive from a standing start.”

Cameras replace exterior mirrors

The Audi e-tron features virtual mirrors, something that has never been seen in a production vehicle. Replacing the exterior mirrors are tiny cameras. A view of what’s happening behind the car is displayed on crystal-clear screens positioned in the uppermost part of the door trim.

The advantage of virtual exterior mirrors lies in better aero-acoustics while driving and a clearer view in rain, snow or glaring sun. “My first thought was: Wow! But you have to get used to the camera mirrors. I’d rather stick with normal exterior mirrors,” says Jan. “But in low light conditions, such as in a garage, the cameras provide a much better view than conventional mirrors.”

After his test drive, Jan says: “Anyone who judges an electric car should drive one first. And they probably won’t want to drive any other car after that.” Jan normally drives a Volkswagen Passat with a petrol engine. “I often drive long distances and petrol engine is the most practical for me at the moment. Although I knew even before the test drive that the future is electric. The question is no longer whether e-cars will succeed, it’s just a matter of when this will happen. Anyone who has driven an electric vehicle will wonder why you don’t see more of them on the road. It certainly isn’t because they’re not fun to drive!”