Primarily based on the MLB Evo platform slightly than an EV-specific structure, the Audi e-tron and its better-looking brother have been hit with a recall. An estimated 26,866 autos produced for the 2019 by way of 2022 mannequin years are geared up with LG Power Resolution E61V battery modules that – in sure situations – might overheat and catch fireplace.
Volkswagen Group of America stories {that a} small variety of e-tron electrical autos skilled thermal overload that resulted in smoke or fireplace from beneath the automobile. Nevertheless, the German automaker hasn’t decided the basis trigger for this overheating situation. The chance, nonetheless, is related to battery modules exhibiting a vital self-discharge habits. Affected autos have been manufactured between January 3, 2019 and March 11, 2022 on the Audi Brussels facility in Belgium.
On December 22, 2023, the Volkswagen Group of America instructed Audi sellers to put in superior onboard diagnostic software program to be able to detect any suspect modifications within the battery module. Be that as it could, the software program in query will grow to be obtainable within the third quarter of 2024. Autos with an lively knowledge plan will likely be monitored on-line. In case of a probably vital module, Audi will advise the proprietor to cost the automobile at 80 p.c capability till the module may be changed by a technician.
Sellers have additional been instructed to carry out diagnostic procedures and change any suspect battery module. After all, sellers may even instruct house owners to cost at not more than 80 p.c capability till the superior onboard diagnostic software program turns into obtainable within the third quarter of 2024. As a short refresher, the pre-facelift Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback are geared up with 95- or 71-kWh batteries. The Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback, by comparability, provide 114- or 95-kWh battery packs.
Picture: Audi
Autos produced from March 2022 onward aren’t affected as a result of stated autos use a special battery cell. For the Q8 siblings, Audi stated “auf wiedersehen” to LG Power Resolution in favor of Samsung SDI. As per paperwork revealed by the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration, house owners will likely be notified through first-class mail no later than February 16, 2024. For the US market, an estimated 21,981 examples of the e-tron and 4,885 of the e-tron Sportback have been produced with suspect modules.
By no means a giant vendor, the e-tron premiered on the 2018 Paris Motor Present with – get this – solely 204 miles of driving vary. That is the EPA estimate slightly than the extra optimistic WLTP estimate. The swoopier e-tron Sportback launched for the 2022 mannequin 12 months with 218 miles, whereas the 2023 mannequin 12 months Audi e-tron topped 226 miles (364 kilometers). By comparability, the Q8 e-tron provides 285 miles (459 kilometers). The driving vary champ, nonetheless, is the Q8 e-tron Sportback with its 300 miles (483 kilometers).
Nonetheless not spectacular, although, however what did you count on from an electrical automobile based mostly on a platform developed for ICE functions? The identical applies to the J1 of the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan, a platform derived from the MSB of the Bentley Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Panamera.
Trying ahead, the Volkswagen Group intends to deliver all of its electrical automobile platforms beneath the SSP banner. Come 2026, the Scalable Techniques Platform will likely be launched because the successor to the MEB of the Volkswagen ID.4 and PPE of the yet-to-debut Porsche Macan EV and Audi Q6 e-tron.