Audi Korea will launch the mid-to-large electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) Q8 e-tron in the domestic market in the second half of this year. The goal is to increase market share in the imported electric vehicle market with a lineup covering all models from compact to mid-to-large SUVs and high-performance models.
According to Audi, 178,000 Audi electric vehicles were sold globally last year, a 51% increase compared to the previous year. In Korea, starting with the launch of the 'Audi e-tron 55 quattro' in July 2020, the electric vehicle lineup has expanded with the 4-door coupe 'Audi e-tron GT quattro' and the compact electric SUV 'Audi Q4 e-tron 40.'
The 'Audi e-tron 55 quattro,' Audi's first pure electric vehicle, is a concentration of the brand's innovative technology. In particular, it is equipped with a 'virtual side mirror,' a small camera installed in the position of the side mirror, which improves aerodynamic performance and takes the level of digitalization of electric vehicles to the next stage.
The compact electric SUV 'Audi Q4 e-tron' is a model that will lead the popularization of electric vehicles. This vehicle offers excellent practicality with a long driving range of up to 520 km (WLTP standard). With a low center of gravity and balanced weight distribution, it delivers sporty driving, precise handling, and outstanding safety.
Finally, the 4-door coupe 'Audi e-tron GT quattro' shows the current state of Audi's pure electric vehicle technology. Based on advanced engineering technology, it features emotional design, innovative new technologies, and sporty driving performance. Two electric motors are installed at the front and rear of the vehicle, allowing it to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Using boost mode reduces this time to 4.1 seconds.
Meanwhile, as the number of electric vehicle sales increases in the domestic market, Audi Korea continues to invest in strengthening electric vehicle service infrastructure, training specialized technicians, and automating parts management systems. As of March this year, the number of service centers equipped with electric vehicle repair capabilities has increased to 32, and 14 high-voltage battery maintenance centers are in operation. A systematic certification system for training electric vehicle specialists is also in place. Audi Korea has a total of about 900 electric vehicle specialists across various fields and conducts training for experts in each course.
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