The Audi E-Tron is officially welcoming
its Sportback sibling, the highly anticipated SUV Coupe version of the German
EV and the second member of the E-Tron model family. The sloping roofline is of
course the biggest visual distinction between the two electric Audi SUVs, with
the new E-Tron Sportback also featuring slightly different bumpers and the
company’s new digital matrix LED headlights – Audi’s first model to be offered
with those.
The SUV Coupe styling also helps the Audi
E-Tron Sportback to achieve a drag coefficient of just 0.25Cd, aided also by
the optional virtual exterior mirrors, placing it among the best performers in
its class. The more dynamic profile of the new E-Tron Sportback robs about 20
mm of headroom from the rear passengers while boot volume is also slightly
reduced from 655 liters to 615 liters.
The new Audi E-Tron Sportback will be
available in two versions, starting with the base 50 Quattro. This offers a
combined 308 HP and 540 Nm of torque out of its two electric
motors, which are fed by a 71kWh battery pack (64.7 kWh net). The driving range
of the base Audi E-Tron Sportback 50 Quattro is rated at 347 km on
the WLTP cycle. 0-100 km/h comes in 6.8 seconds, while top speed sits
at 190 km/h.
The range-topping E-Tron Sportback 55
Quattro offers more power and a bigger battery; the two electric motors here
are rated at 355 HP and 561 Nm of torque combined but they can
reach up to 402 HP and 664 Nm of torque for eight seconds in boost
mode. 0-100 km/h can come in as low as 5.7 seconds, with the top speed
limited to 200 km/h. The battery here has a 95 kWh capacity (86.5 kWh
net) and provides a driving range of up to 445 km on the WLTP.
In most driving situations the new E-Tron
Sportback utilizes only the rear electric motor for better efficiency,
activating the front unit only when the driver requests more power than it can
provide or when it detects any grip loss. Customers will be able to quick
charge their new Audi E-Tron Sportback 55 Quattro at up to 150 kW at
fast-charging stations, which means that an 80 percent charge can be achieved
in just under 30 minutes. The 50 Quattro model can charge at up to 120 kW.
An adaptive air suspension is fitted as
standard, as well as Audi’s drive select system with seven predetermined
profiles. The air suspension is capable of varying the ride height by up to 3
inches (76 mm).
The new Audi E-Tron Sportback will debut
in Europe this spring, with prices in Germany starting from 71,350 euros
(US$ 77,300). Audi will also offer a
limited-edition version called ‘Edition One’, featuring a special Plasma Blue
color, the S Line exterior treatment, the door cameras, exclusive 21-inch
wheels, orange brake calipers, and a panoramic sunroof among other.