Audi was very busy during the Frankfurt Motor Show, showing off a slew of cars, both electric and gasoline powered. One notable omission was a full unveiling of the Audi e-tron Sportback. We now know that it will be making its full debut on November 19th.
The e-tron Sportback was first seen back in 2017 along with the current base e-tron. The two are virtually identical when it comes to powertrain and design. The only main difference is the sloped roofline which gives the Sportback a more coupe-like appearance.
Given that the regular e-tron has already been out for over half a year, we can imagine that the e-tron Sportback has been completed for quite some time given that the roof is the only main thing that needs to be changed. That is, unless there has been an unannounced change to the powertrain, but that is highly unlikely.
For those that need a refresher, the regular e-tron uses a two motor setup that has a combined output of 355 hp with a “Boost Mode” that increases the output to 402 hp. When using the full power of the e-tron, the electric SUV accelerates to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
The battery pack is 95 kWh with only 83.6 kWh that is actually usable as Audi states that this allows for improved battery durability and longevity. Unfortunately, the regular e-tron is not particularly a stand-out when it comes to range with an EPA-rated range of only 204 miles. However, it is a leader in regards to charging rate with a max rate of 150 kW, allowing for faster charges.
The standard model starts at around $74,800 and given that coupe SUVs tend to cost more than their regular counterparts (i.e Mercedes GLE Coupe vs. GLE SUV and BMW X5 vs. X6), it will not be surprising if the e-tron Sportback costs more than the regular e-tron.
Given that Audi seems to have been delaying the release of the e-tron Sportback, there is some hope that there may have been changes to the powertrain rather it being simply an e-tron with less headroom and cargo space. There have been rumors of an “e-tron S” with a third motor included and increased power, but we will have to wait and see.
November 19th coincides with the Los Angeles Auto Show, so keep your eyes peeled during the event to see the final production version.
What do you guys think of e-tron Sportback? Do you think it will come with the same specs? Let us know down in the comments below.
Source: Motor1
