Audi e-tron accounting for half of all new sales
The recent move exceeds all Wittebrug Audi's expectations. The sustainable flagship store is busier than ever and for the first time, half of the cars sold there are electric. In short, Audi is ready for a green future.
DATE
23 January 2023
TEXT
Jasper Gramsma
IMAGE
Brian Mul
Audi e-tron accounting for half of all new sales
The recent move exceeds all Wittebrug Audi's expectations. The sustainable flagship store is busier than ever and for the first time, half of the cars sold there are electric. In short, Audi is ready for a green future.
Bighly eight hundred solar panels are on the roof," points out Mark Verhagen, director of Wittebrug Audi, up. His flagship store in the Forepark, which was completed in 2021, is not only the most beautiful in the Benelux, the building is also completely self-supporting. "The energy for the showroom, the workshop and no fewer than seventy charging stations in the car park: we generate it all ourselves. By way of comparison: you can drive fifty of our e-trons around for a year with that. And that completely climate-neutral!"
'Our electric cars have the same sporty Audi spirit'
The magic word has been dropped: e-tron. It is the designation for the premium car brand's electric models, which already account for half of all new sales at Wittebrug Audi.
Mark Verhagen at the e-tron GT, the top model in Audi's electric range.
What is the secret of that success? Verhagen: "Our customers recognise that this is the future. It is now clear that hydrogen and other technologies will not be used on a large scale: too expensive and inefficient. On top of that, quality has taken off in recent years, so our electric cars have the same sporty Audi soul in them as those with traditional fuel engines. Even without the characteristic sound."
Audi e-tron GT
Suddenly Verhagen gets an idea: "You know what? I'll just let you experience it for yourself later with a test drive in the e-tron GT." Well, please: the four-door sports car priced from 109,640 euros is the topper among electric models, which also includes the e-tron and the Q4 e-tron.
"So the Audi driver stays with us and switches effortlessly from his or her fuel car to an electric one," the managing director continues. "At first, these were mainly business drivers, for whom it was fiscally attractive. But as technology advances, the purchase is becoming more affordable, so we are also seeing more and more private customers making that switch. Some do so because of the high fuel prices, although I notice that the desire to do one's bit for sustainability is also an important argument."
The growing supply of used electric cars makes the switch attractive to an even larger group: "The first e-trons from 2018 are now coming back to us as used cars."
Long service life
With such relatively new technology, it is still difficult to estimate how many kilometres can be consumed by the e-trons. Although Verhagen is not worried about that. "In any case, that number will not be less than with a fuel car," he reassures. "And if you consider that the traditional engine consists of numerous moving elements while the battery is just one block, the mileage is probably much higher; the batteries have a very long service life, it has already been shown." In the brand-new workshop, which is visible to visitors thanks to its glass wall, things have also changed with the switch to electric driving. "Because almost everything is digital, the people who work there are more ICT people than mechanics."
Electric showpiece
Time for action. Because at Wittebrug Audi's flagship store, unlike many other dealers, it is possible to test drive all models in the range, Verhagen takes out his electric showpiece today. "What a cool car, isn't it!!!," he says as he gets out of the car. The distinguished grey-green paint is not in the option list, but at an extra cost, the e-tron GT comes in any colour you want. "Before you leave, some more figures: 476 hp, zero to 100 in four seconds, a range of 430 kilometres in normal driving, and with the right fast charger you can charge in five minutes for a hundred kilometres," he lists. "But feel free to step on the pedal, that's the beauty of electric driving."
A promising zoof, spaceship type
Of course with no roar and vibration from the front end, the Audi gets off the mark. Feeling out first. The handling and steering of the 2,200-plus-kilogram car feel light. And thanks to all-wheel steering, the hefty length of almost five metres is almost immediately forgotten, a handsome achievement. With the optional air suspension, it is possible to adjust the car to be more comfortable or firmer.
Driving experience
Once the Wittebrug Audi premises have disappeared from the rear-view mirror, we follow Verhagen's tip to switch on the 'dynamic' mode. That makes the e-tron GT just a little more direct and... there's sound! A promising whoosh, spaceship type. It is the so-called 'e-tron sport sound' that provides even more driving experience.
Sports seats
When a tempting empty asphalt carpet presents itself, we push the accelerator further. The Audi shoots away as we are pressed deeper and deeper into its sports seats. Once we are at (permitted) speed, the kilometres slip by almost imperceptibly. This provides an opportunity to glance at the personalised multimedia display that, like the virtual clocks, is presented behind the wheel on a crisp LED screen. Even those who have never driven an Audi will find their way around the many functionalities effortlessly. We could get used to this e-tron GT, but this emission-free adventure is sadly over. Satisfied, we hand in the key. The green future is full of driving pleasure.
text Jasper Gramsma image Brian Mul
Bighly eight hundred solar panels are on the roof," points out Mark Verhagen, director of Wittebrug Audi, up. His flagship store in the Forepark, which was completed in 2021, is not only the most beautiful in the Benelux, the building is also completely self-supporting. "The energy for the showroom, the workshop and no fewer than seventy charging stations in the car park: we generate it all ourselves. By way of comparison: you can drive fifty of our e-trons around for a year with that. And that completely climate-neutral!"
'Our electric cars have the same sporty Audi spirit'
The magic word has been dropped: e-tron. It is the designation for the premium car brand's electric models, which already account for half of all new sales at Wittebrug Audi.
Mark Verhagen at the e-tron GT, the top model in Audi's electric range.
What is the secret of that success? Verhagen: "Our customers recognise that this is the future. It is now clear that hydrogen and other technologies will not be used on a large scale: too expensive and inefficient. On top of that, quality has taken off in recent years, so our electric cars have the same sporty Audi soul in them as those with traditional fuel engines. Even without the characteristic sound."
Audi e-tron GT
Suddenly Verhagen gets an idea: "You know what? I'll just let you experience it for yourself later with a test drive in the e-tron GT." Well, please: the four-door sports car priced from 109,640 euros is the topper among electric models, which also includes the e-tron and the Q4 e-tron.
"So the Audi driver stays with us and switches effortlessly from his or her fuel car to an electric one," the managing director continues. "At first, these were mainly business drivers, for whom it was fiscally attractive. But as technology advances, the purchase is becoming more affordable, so we are also seeing more and more private customers making that switch. Some do so because of the high fuel prices, although I notice that the desire to do one's bit for sustainability is also an important argument."
The growing supply of used electric cars makes the switch attractive to an even larger group: "The first e-trons from 2018 are now coming back to us as used cars."
Long service life
With such relatively new technology, it is still difficult to estimate how many kilometres can be consumed by the e-trons. Although Verhagen is not worried about that. "In any case, that number will not be less than with a fuel car," he reassures. "And if you consider that the traditional engine consists of numerous moving elements while the battery is just one block, the mileage is probably much higher; the batteries have a very long service life, it has already been shown." In the brand-new workshop, which is visible to visitors thanks to its glass wall, things have also changed with the switch to electric driving. "Because almost everything is digital, the people who work there are more ICT people than mechanics."
Electric showpiece
Time for action. Because at Wittebrug Audi's flagship store, unlike many other dealers, it is possible to test drive all models in the range, Verhagen takes out his electric showpiece today. "What a cool car, isn't it!!!," he says as he gets out of the car. The distinguished grey-green paint is not in the option list, but at an extra cost, the e-tron GT comes in any colour you want. "Before you leave, some more figures: 476 hp, zero to 100 in four seconds, a range of 430 kilometres in normal driving, and with the right fast charger you can charge in five minutes for a hundred kilometres," he lists. "But feel free to step on the pedal, that's the beauty of electric driving."
A promising zoof, spaceship type
Of course with no roar and vibration from the front end, the Audi gets off the mark. Feeling out first. The handling and steering of the 2,200-plus-kilogram car feel light. And thanks to all-wheel steering, the hefty length of almost five metres is almost immediately forgotten, a handsome achievement. With the optional air suspension, it is possible to adjust the car to be more comfortable or firmer.
Driving experience
Once the Wittebrug Audi premises have disappeared from the rear-view mirror, we follow Verhagen's tip to switch on the 'dynamic' mode. That makes the e-tron GT just a little more direct and... there's sound! A promising whoosh, spaceship type. It is the so-called 'e-tron sport sound' that provides even more driving experience.
Sports seats
When a tempting empty asphalt carpet presents itself, we push the accelerator further. The Audi shoots away as we are pressed deeper and deeper into its sports seats. Once we are at (permitted) speed, the kilometres slip by almost imperceptibly. This provides an opportunity to glance at the personalised multimedia display that, like the virtual clocks, is presented behind the wheel on a crisp LED screen. Even those who have never driven an Audi will find their way around the many functionalities effortlessly. We could get used to this e-tron GT, but this emission-free adventure is sadly over. Satisfied, we hand in the key. The green future is full of driving pleasure.
