LA MOTOR SHOW: Audi e-tron Sportback breaks cover
Superhero headlights, improved range and faster rear-end define 'Sportback' version of Audi's electric SUVThe wraps have come off Audi's second all-electric production model, the Audi e-tron Sportback – a sleeker, sportier version of the regular Audi e-tron SUV.
Looking much less adventurous than the concept that previewed it in China in 2007, the Sportback version of the e-tron crossover wagon brings a number of blink-and-you'll-miss-them design changes.
Perhaps the most obvious are the new digital LED matrix headlights, which can project various patterns on walls or the ground depending on the situation, such as leaving the car and walking to the front door.
The high-tech headlights "create the e-tron-specific signature in the daytime running lights" and can project little e-tron logos onto the ground in front of the vehicle too.
The redesigned coupe-like rear-end styling of the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro (to give it the full billing) sees luggage capacity decrease from 660 to 615 litres, and rear seat headroom dip by 20mm.
But the benefits of the rakish rear-end include a 10km-longer range thanks to the improved aerodynamics alone, with the drag co-efficient dropping from 0.27 to a sleek 0.25Cd.
Cruising range is increased from 411km to 446km (WLTP), says Audi, and propulsion is provided by two asynchronous electric motors, hooked up to a 95kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Power levels are the same as the regular e-tron SUV, which means the Audi e-tron Sportback churns out a very respectable 265kW/560Nm, rising to 300kW/664Nm in sport mode.
At full-throttle the German e-SUV will spring out of the blocks and reach 100km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds, making it as quick as its sibling. Top speed is governed at 200km/h.
Measuring 4901mm long, 1935mm wide and 1616mm tall, the Audi e-tron Sportback has the same dimensions as its sibling, but is likely to cost a little more, as is the case with most 'coupe-ified' luxury SUVs.
Despite being on sale in Europe for more than a year, Audi Australia is yet to release the original Audi e-tron here, so there is no confirmation for a local launch on the Audi e-tron Sportback – let alone the battery-powered Audi Q4 e-tron presented in concept form in March or the Audi e-tron GT super-liftback revealed at last year’s LA show.
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