I have been writing about cars for 12 years now, having started my career at The Midweek Sun before moving to The Patriot on Sunday, and then Mmegi before landing a job right here at The Business Weekly & Review.
In between my motoring lifestyle work, I have also been a contributor at the defunct In Business magazine. In the course of this time, one day I had a social conversation with a couple of associates who all wanted to know what really drove me to write about cars and why cars in the first place?
My answer to them was that every day is different and never gets stale or boring, I am always travelling and meeting new people, which allows me to have a different perception about how I look at life in general. I told my colleagues that it is great to drive different models of cars and that chances of travelling abroad are plentiful in this line of work. This brings me to a recent experience of great delight that I, together with a colleague here at The Business Weekly & Review, was presented with in the form of a rare opportunity to have a first-hand feel of an all-electric car, courtesy of Audi Centre Gaborone.
After our arrival, we were taken through some induction process of our hosts’ production, ranging from an Audi A3, A4, Q3, Q5 Sportback and the Q7, all of which were parked in the showroom. The taste of the pudding being in the eating, we were then presented with an opportunity to feel the car by way of test driving it. Our route was south-bound on an A1 Highway to Boatle Intersection Flyover and back to the capital city.
The car was an Audi e-tron 55 Quattro brought to this country solely for demonstration purposes. The specification sheet includes the following:
Performance
- Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h 7 sec
- Top Speed 200 km/h
- Electric Range 365 km
- Total Power 300 kW
- Total Torque 664 Nm
- Drive AWD
Battery
- Nominal Capacity 0 kWh
- Battery Type Lithium-ion
- Number of Cells 432
- Architecture 400 V
- Useable Capacity 5 kWh
- Cathode Material NCM622Pack Configuration 108s4p
- Nominal Voltage 400 V
Charging
- Charge Port Type 2
- Port Location Driver’s Side – Front
- Port Location 2 ‡ Passenger Side – Front
- Charge Power 11 kW AC
- Charge Time (0->365 km) 9h15m
- Charge Speed 39 km/h
- Fastcharge Port CCS
- FC Port Location Driver’s Side – Front
- FC Port Location 2 –
- Fastcharge Power (max) 155 kW DC
- Fastcharge Time (37->292 km) 26 min
- Fastcharge Speed 590 km/h
Safety
- ENCAP 5atar
- Rating of Year 2019
Dimensions and Weight
- Length 4901 mm
- Width 1935 mm
- Width with mirrors 2192 mm
- Height 1616 mm
- Wheelbase 2928 mm
- Cargo Volume 660 L
The mid-morning drive was nothing short of amazing, a once in a lifetime experience reserved for a lucky few. We were treated like royalty and are really thankful for such an invite, which is rare to come by, particularly in an environment like ours in Botswana. After such an exhilarating experience, one question that comes to mind was, is this the beginning of the future or the end of the past?
NEW RANGE ROVER SPORT DELIVERS ARCTIC THRILLS ON ICE
The powerful New Range Rover Sport is coming to the Range Rover Ice Driving Academy, where dynamic sporting performance and refinement meet Arctic splendour.
The Ice Driving Academy in Arjeplog, Sweden is the ultimate way to exploit the most desirable, advanced and capable iteration of the definitive luxury sporting SUV. Learn to drift around a handling track, go off road and take an excursion to the Arctic Circle. Four-day driving adventures are now available to book for February and March 2023. Three- and two-day experiences are also offered. In addition to the Range Rover Sport, there is a chance to explore the full capabilities of the New Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque luxury SUVs as you navigate deep snow banks and tree-lined trails.
Said David Griffiths, Brand Experience Senior Manager: “The Range Rover Ice Academy will take your breath away – from the performance, refinement and all-terrain capability of the New Range Rover Sport to the spectacular Arctic landscape. Whichever ice drive you choose, you’ll be honing your winter driving skills in the most visceral way imaginable.” A visit to the Jaguar Land Rover Cold Climate Test Centre is also highly recommended. This is the secret zone where new models are tested to extremes ahead of release. Clients can curate their adventure by adding further experiences to their itinerary.
Take the controls of a powerful snowmobile for an exhilarating journey through the frozen landscapes of Arjeplog. Or swap horsepower for husky power and enjoy the thrill of controlling a dog-sled team as it races through the wilderness. All ice drives offer authentic Swedish accommodation at the Hotel Silverhatten with its stunning views of lakes and mountains to enjoy when not sliding around the frozen tracks. Clients can share the adventure of a lifetime with a non-driving companion. There’s a plus-one itinerary with a choice of daily Arctic activities while you’re honing your skills behind the wheel.
