2019 LA Auto Show: Audi e-tron Sportback Debuts

After launching its first electric car ever, Audi has now revealed the second model in its e-tron product line up. It's called the e-tron Sportback and it is an SUV coupe. As far as looks go, the Audi e-tron Sportback retains the family look, so, you get the octagonal single frame, with its vertical struts is presented in a light platinum grey. In the lower area of the matrix LED headlights, four horizontal segments create the e-tron-specific signature in the daytime running lights. This is taken up at numerous points on the model and interpreted in three dimensions, for example, on the striking side sills. Their black inlays draw the eye to where the batter. The designers also varied the signature at the broad diffuser, drawing attention to the absence of exhaust tailpipes. A light strip connects the LED lights to one another. A total of thirteen paint finishes are available for the all-electric drive SUV coupé, including the new color plasma blue, metallic, which is exclusive to the e-tron Sportback. Its digital matrix LED headlights are a new feature now available for the first time in a mass-production vehicle. Their light is broken down into tiny pixels and can be controlled with exceptional precision.

The Audi e-tron Sportback can do a 0-100 kmph sprint in just 5.7 seconds

But let's get to the powertrain. The Audi e-tron Sportback is a dynamic SUV coupé offering up to 402 bhp and a range of up to 446 km from a single battery charge. Roughly 10 kilometers of the increased range compared to the e-tron can be attributed to the aerodynamics of the car. Each axle is fitted with an asynchronous electric motor that is fed with three-phase current by the power electronics. The Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro takes just 6.6 seconds reach 100 kmph, and its top speed is electronically limited to 200 kmph. By shifting from drive range D to S and fully depressing the accelerator pedal, the driver can activate boost mode. Here, the drive generates 402 bhp and 664 Nm of torque for eight seconds. This enables the SUV coupé to sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.7 seconds. Two-stage planetary gearboxes with one gear range transfer the torque from the electric motors to the axles. A switch, which the driver can operate with the thumb and forefinger, is used to select the gears. It is embedded in an elegant lever that is set low above the center tunnel and serves as a hand rest. All of the heaviest components are concentrated in the center of the vehicle. The axle load distribution with a ratio of almost 50:50 is perfectly balanced; the self-steering behavior is neutral. With components such as the five-link suspensions, the progressive steering and the electrohydraulic brake system, the suspension combines the latest technologies, which together ensure agile vehicle handling and a high degree of comfort. The standard 255/55 R19 size tyres stand out with their ultra-low rolling resistance. On request, tyres of up to 22 inches will also be available from the middle of 2020-one size larger than on the e-tron.

The aerodynamic refinement also extends to areas hidden from view. Among others, these include the controllable air intake with channels for cooling the front brakes, the aero wheels, and the fully lined underbody including the aluminum plate to protect the high-voltage battery. The optional virtual exterior mirrors, whose wing-shaped supports integrate small cameras, represent yet another efficiency factor. The captured images appear on high-contrast OLED displays in the transition between the instrument panel and the door.

The Audi e-tron Sportback

On the dimensions front the e-tron sportback is 4,901 mm long, 1,935 mm wide and 1,616 mm high. Its roof extends flat over the muscular body, dropping down steeply to the rear-in typical coupé style- and flowing into the steeply raked D-pillars. The lower edge of the third side window rises towards the rear-a typical Sportback feature. The aerodynamic refinement also extends to areas hidden from view. Among others, these include the controllable air intake with channels for cooling the front brakes, the aero wheels, and the fully lined underbody including the aluminum plate to protect the high-voltage battery.

The cabin of the Audi e-tron Sportback is an elegant lounge featuring a seamless blend of design and technology. A generous arc that spans the instrument panel, extending from door to door, integrates the cover for the Audi virtual cockpit. The wrap-around in the door trims also integrates the screens for the optional virtual exterior mirrors. The instrument panel with its two touch displays is angled towards the driver and therefore particularly ergonomic. When deactivated, the upper of these blends almost invisibly into the large gloss-black surround. Open sidewalls at the center tunnel console emphasize the impression of lightness.

The Audi e-tron Sportback gets a generous arc that spans the instrument panel, extending from door to door

For the front seats, customers can choose between the standard design, sport seats, S sport seats, and the customized contour seats, with optional ventilation and massage functions. Their stitching pattern is reminiscent of electric circuits and can be enhanced with optional bright orange contrasting stitching and piping.

The Audi e-tron Sportback, which is being built in the CO2-neutral plant in Brussels, will debut on the European market in 2020.