Audi e-tron & e-tron Sportback

Audi E-tron Sportback 55 2020 review

Should I buy one?

The £79,900 E-tron Sportback is more driver-orientated than the £71,520 E-tron, if not quite to the degree we were led to believe by Audi when revealing it at the Los Angeles motor show last year. The difference between the two is quite subtle on pure performance alone.

However, with a more sporting shape, greater athleticism on more challenging roads, further improved refinement and a superb interior that continues to offer a good deal of everyday versatility, even despite the coupé redesign, the E-tron Sportback sets a high standard among the electric SUV ranks.

It’s certainly one the I-Pace won’t have an easy time surpassing when we get to put the two side-by-side after the lockdown.

Audi E-tron Sportback 55 specification

Where Munich, Germany Price £79,900 On sale June Engine Twin asynchronous electric motors Power 402bhp (Boost Mode) Torque 490lb ft (Boost Mode) Gearbox 1-spd, direct drive Kerb weight 2480kg Top speed 124mph (governed) 0-62mph 5.7sec (boost mode) Battery 95kWh lithium ion Range 277 miles CO2 0g/km Rivals Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model X


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VIDEO: A closer look at the new Audi e-tron Sportback

MORE THAN JUST WATTS

Ultimately, while the key selling point of the e-tron range is the fact that it's electric, one cannot deny that it's a luxury vehicle at its core. You still get amazingly high-levels of comfort and luxury features as standard, and you can personalise your e-tron to your heart's content through Audi's personalisation programme.

If you currently drive a premium, luxury car and you're thinking of upgrading to something new and very different to the internal combustion vehicles you're used to, the Audi e-tron Sportback, like the Jaguar i-Pace that's already sold here, represents the future of fast premium motoring.

 
Coming to SA in 2021:

Here's what Audi is bringing to SA over the rest of 2020 (and in 2021)

Later in 2021, Audi SA says we should also expect to see the facelifted Q2 and refreshed Q5, as well as the new A3 Sportback and the all-electric e-tron.

 
New Audi E-tron S and E-tron S Sportback arrive as hot electric SUVs

Audi’s electric SUV and coupe-SUV gain flagship S models powered by three electric motors and priced from £87,000

Audi’s expanding electric car range has gained its first performance models, with the E-tron S and E-tron S Sportback detailed ahead of UK orders opening later this summer.

Priced from £87,000 for the standard SUV and £88,700 for the Sportback, the two range-topping variants are claimed to be the first volume-production cars to use three electric motors. Two are mounted on the rear axle and one sits at the front.

The result is 496bhp and a stout 718lb ft of torque, although these peak figures are available for only 8sec boost periods. The cars dispatch 0-62mph in 4.5sec and have a 130mph top speed.

The trio of motors don’t just improve straight-line pace but are also used to provide an electric torque-vectoring function. In normal driving modes, just the rear motors operate and torque is sent to each wheel via a single-speed transmission.

In dynamic driving modes or when full power is requested, the front motor activates. It can also predictively activate when slip is detected and decelerate the inside front wheel on a bend to prevent traction losses. Audi claims the S models can perform “controlled drifts” due to a more rear-biased power delivery than the standard car.

The E-tron S and E-tron S Sportback are powered by a 95kWh battery, with respective claimed ranges of 223 miles and 226 miles on the WLTP cycle. That's around 50 miles less than the most range-efficient E-tron 55 models.


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New Audi E-Tron S And E-Tron Sportback S Revealed With 496 HP (370 KW)

Audi has added new performance variants to their e-tron range with the introduction of the e-tron S and e-tron Sportback S.

These S derivatives receive the larger 95kWh battery and a three-motor setup compared with the standard car’s dual-motors. Two electric motors power the rear axle, with one at the front, for a total combined output of 496 hp (370 kW) and 973 Nm of torque.

Audi claims the e-tron S is capable of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph), in both standard and Sportback form. Maximum range is 358 km (223 miles) and 363 km (226 miles) for the more aerodynamic Sportback version.


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Audi E-tron gets new trim lines and tech upgrades for 2020

E-tron and E-tron Sportback electric SUVs now available in Black Edition and Vorsprung forms, with new infotainment and matrix LED lighting

Audi has introduced a series of upgrades and revised the trim structure for its E-tron and E-tron Sportback electric SUVs. The revised Mercedes-Benz EQC rival is now available to order now priced from £59,900.

Key to the relatively minor revisions is a complete overhaul of both variants’ ranges. They now consist of five trim lines: entry-level Technik, Sport, S Line and two new versions: Black Edition and Vorsprung. All variants receive wheels in excess of 20in in diameter, LED lighting, adaptive air suspension and the MMI touchscreen infotainment system.

Black Edition models build on existing S Line trim with gloss anthracite wheels, a black grille and black front and rear bumper inserts, window trims, roof raills and door mirror surrounds. Front sports seats with powered lumbar also feature alongside extended synthetic ‘twin’ leather across the dashboard, doors and centre console.


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Audi E-tron S Sportback 2020 review

Should I buy one?

The E-tron S Sportback lives up to its billing as Audi’s most athletic electric model. It’s more sporting in character than the milder E-tron 55 Sportback. A definitive verdict will come once we get the chance to drive it on UK roads, but based on its strengths on smooth-surfaced German roads, it gets a clear thumbs-up.

Audi E-tron S Sportback specification

Where Germany Price £88,700 On sale September Engine 3 asynchronous electric motors Power 496bhp Torque 718lb ft Gearbox 1-spd automatic Kerb weight 2620kg Top speed 131mph 0-62mph 4.5sec Range 227 miles (WLTP combined) CO2 0g/km Rivals Telsa Model X, Mercedes-EQ C 400 4Matic


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I've been seeing more and more of them on our roads lately. I'm still not sold on the camera-mirror idea. It seems like an unnecessarily expensive item to fix. Otherwise, not bad looking.

I keep seeing the e-Tron more and more. Turns out it's been Norway's most sold EV this year so far - beating last year's Model 3 with almost 3x more sales.

I like the eGolf. It doesnt give away what its packing under the hood and looks like a "normal" car. The leaf is crap and apparently despite its sales more and more people are trying to sell theirs after 2 years because of the battery degradation.

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I keep seeing the e-Tron more and more. Turns out it's been Norway's most sold EV this year so far - beating last year's Model 3 with almost 3x more sales.

I like the eGolf. It doesnt give away what its packing under the hood and looks like a "normal" car. The leaf is crap and apparently despite its sales more and more people are trying to sell theirs after 2 years because of the battery degradation.

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Nice share.

Impressed the e-Tron is doing so well there & even rocking Tesla's boat!

Kona Electric shifting good volume (no surprise).

Looks like the reports about the EQC are true, it's tanking hey....hmm
 
EQC's?

Oh right the Merc. Yeah I don't think I've ever even seen one of those.
 
Just checked and the eTron 50 is selling for around NOK 600k with a lowly 360km range.

The 55 has longer range but also chimes in at 700k - that's heavy.

As a comparison, the RAV 4 plug-in hybrid which is the most sold SUV out there is NOK 509k. I'm very interested to see how the Model Y ( NOK 550k) will impact this or vice versa.
 
Audi E-tron Sportback 55 quattro S Line 2020 UK review

Should I buy one?

On standard air springs, the E-tron has been allowed to breathe and float more than, say, a Jaguar I-Pace or Tesla Model X so rides comfortably, even on 21in wheels.

It’s certainly more pliant than the Tesla. Body movements never get out of hand, though. In fact, it’s an enjoyably well-sorted, relaxing drive. The quietness suits it.


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WATCH | The new Audi E-Tron S Sportback

• Audi's E-Tron is the car company's standalone electric vehicle.

• In Europe Audi has just launched more powerful S version of the E-Tron as well as a Sportback version.

• It has 370kW and 973Nm from three electric motors, two of which are located on the rear axle.

 
'Not an opportune time' to launch e-tron in South Africa, says Audi

Audi South Africa says it’s currently “not an opportune time” to launch the e-tron electric vehicle locally.

Speaking during an online session with local media, Asif Hoosen, who heads up retail, planning and supply chain at Audi SA, said “a combination of factors” had seen the company hold off on launching the e-tron thus far.

“The market is in a very challenging space at the moment so we have to keep a close eye on developments. It’s not an opportune time to be launching future mobility in a market like this,” Hoosen said.

“Of course, infrastructure problems contribute to it as well. We need the government to provide us with incentives to bring these cars to market as well. So, it’s a combination of factors I think will affect the readiness of Audi to launch e-tron in the market,” he added.

Still, Tarryn Knight, head of marketing and product at Audi SA, suggested the Ingolstadt-based firm’s local division was targeting a late-2021 introduction.


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