The all-electric Audi e-tron SUV has now got its Coupe sibling. Besides the sporty styling, the e-tron Sportback boasts better aerodynamics and more range than its sister model.
The singleframe grille with its vertical struts is finished in a light platinum gray—a specific identifying feature of the e-tron models. A total of 13 paint finishes are available for the Coupe-SUV, including a new plasma blue metallic, which is exclusive to the e-tron Sportback. The S line model gets 20-inch wheels as standard.
With the S line exterior and virtual exterior mirrors, Audi claims an outstanding drag coefficient value of 0.25 Cd for the Sportback, which is even better than its e-tron sister model (0.27 Cd with virtual mirrors). Thanks to the improved aerodynamics, the Sportback offers more range too.
The highlight of the e-tron Sportback is really the digital matrix LED headlights, which Audi claims to be the first usage in a production vehicle. The design is based on a technology abbreviated as DMD (digital micromirror device) and is also used in many video projectors.
At its heart is a small chip containing one million micromirrors, each of whose edge length measures just a few hundredths of a millimeter. With the help of electrostatic fields, each individual micromirror can be tilted up to 5,000 times per second. Depending on the setting, the LED light is either directed via the lenses onto the road or is absorbed in order to mask out areas of the light beam.
The digital light can perform multiple tasks including dynamic leaving- and coming-home animations that appear as projections on a wall or on the ground.
When it goes on sale in the European market in spring 2020, the e-tron Sportback will be available in a limited edition model called ‘Edition One’. Finished in the plasma blue color and based on the S line exterior, it also includes the virtual exterior mirrors, aluminum accents, exclusive 21-inch wheels, orange brake calipers, panoramic glass sunroof, matrix LED headlights with front & rear dynamic turn signals as well as dynamic light scenarios, illuminated front door sills with logo projection, and Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with front 3D sound.
Naturally, the interior of the e-tron Sportback looks pretty much the same as its sister model. Technologies include OLED displays for the virtual exterior mirrors, 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit, MMI Navigation plus, Car-to-X services, and the optional Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System.
For the front seats, buyers 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 spiced up with the optional bright orange contrast stitching and piping.
Audi claims that the rear headroom is just 20 mm (0.8-inch) less than in the e-tron. The car offers a total of 615 litres (21.7 cu ft) of luggage capacity, which can be increased to 1,655 litres (58.4 cu ft) with the rear seat backrests folded down.
The tailgate is of course, electrically operated. It can also be operated by foot movement as an option. The aforementioned total capacity includes a 60 litre (2.1 cu ft) stowage compartment underneath the floor, which houses the vehicle tool kit and charging cable.
The e-tron Sportback will be available in 50 quattro and 55 quattro variants. The former generates 230 kW (313 hp) of output and 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of torque. Its 71 kWh battery (64.7 kWh net) pack gets a range of up to 347 km (215.6 mi) on a full charge as per the WLTP cycle.
The 55 quattro gets a battery pack with 95 kWh of gross energy (86.5 kWh net). It is also the powerful variant with an output of 265 kW (360 hp) and 561 Nm (413.8 lb-ft) of torque. In boost mode, the motors generate 300 kW (408 hp) of output and 664 Nm (489.7 lb-ft) of torque for 8 seconds. A 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration is claimed to happen in 5.7 seconds while the top speed is electronically-limited to 200 km/h (124 mph). The 95 kWh battery is claimed to get a range of up to 446 km (277.1 mi) on a single charge.
The e-tron Sportback 55 quattro is capable of charging at up to 150 kW at DC fast-charging stations. In this way, the battery reaches 80% of its capacity in under 30 minutes, Audi said.
The Sportback borrows most of the other technology from its e-tron sister model, including the adaptive air suspension with controlled dampers. The S line gets a sporty tuning for the air suspension.
In Germany, the prices start at €71,350.
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