2021 Audi e-tron S Sportback: Three electric motors, torque vectoring and more power
The Audi e-tron S Sportback will come with a combined output of 429 horsepower (320 kW / 435 PS) and 596 lb-ft (808 Nm) of torque
Headed for the 2020 Geneva Motor Show debut, the Audi e-tron family is about to get bigger, as the German automaker has previewed the upcoming e-tron S Sportback model range. The S version of the all-electric luxury vehicle from the Ingolstadt carmaker is set to be offered with a tri-motor electric powertrain, delivering impressive performance.
According to the carmaker, the e-tron S Sportback will showcase a powertrain layout featuring a single motor powering the front axle, with two electric motors delivering the most powerful punch in the rear. Thus, this will essentially make this an all-wheel-drive setup with impressive traction and torque vectoring. In turn, the crossover will be more than capable of using a combined output of 429 horsepower (320 kW / 435 PS) and 596 lb-ft (808 Nm) of torque to the fullest extent. Furthermore, this power output is significantly more than the e-tron 55 quattro which normally produces 355 horsepower (265 kW / 360 PS) and 414 lb-ft (561 Nm) of torque.
In addition to this, the Audi e-tron S lineup will – like the e-tron 55 quattro – also have a boost function, enabling the vehicle to produce a whopping produce 496 horsepower (370 kW / 503 PS) and 718 lb-ft (973 Nm) of torque for up to eight seconds at a time. In turn, this will allow the e-tron S to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 4.5 seconds, before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 131 mph (210 km/h).
While the performance side of things is important, more so, the e-tron S’ electric motor layout will allow it to use electrical torque vectoring. In turn, this is will improve agility, high-speed cornering and offer more fun for the driver as well. As Audi explained, “If the driver accelerates out of a curve in a sporty manner, the electric motor gives the rear wheel on the outside of the curve up to 162 lb-ft (220 Nm) more torque than the wheel on the inside of the curve.”
Furthermore, the automaker said the e-tron S’ will have a 95 kWh battery pack which can be charged from 5% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes using a 150 kW rapid charger. Currently, the Audi e-tron Sportback comes with a 86.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack promising a 446 kilometers (277.1 miles) range in the EU’s WLTP cycle. With a bigger battery, we can probably expect the e-tron S family to achieve even better results. Well, in testing scenarios, at least.
The vehicle is set to come with several S oriented body and interior features, most notably the 20-inch wheels, which can be upgraded with 21 or 22-inch wheels. However, since we’re great fans of the aftermarket wheel industry, we see a lot of Audi e-tron S customers opting in for the stock 20-inch wheels, then going with an aftermarket custom-made wheel solution; whether forged or flowformed. In addition to the larger wheels, the e-tron S is slated to be fitted with a set of high-performance aftermarket brakes. These are set to come with six-piston calipers and 400mm (15.7 inch) brake discs in the front. Naturally, the calopers will be painted in a clean glossy black, featuring a red “S” accent.
Suspension wise, the car will come with an adaptive damping air suspension as standard. Thus, this will allow the ride height to be adjusted up to 76mm (3.0 inches). More specifically, during dynamic driving, the ride height can be lowered up to 1.02 inches (26 mm), enhancing the cornering performance and helping you tackle those windy backroads perfectly.
Interior wise, Audi didn’t reveal much. But we can expect the full S treatment being done to the passenger compartment. This means that profiled leather seats, quality materials, lack of buttons and an interesting selection of mood lights can be expected, as well as a driver-oriented interior overall as well. Furthermore, just like the standard model, we can also expect a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.1-inch infotainment system and a lower 8.6-inch display that provides access to climate control and convenience settings.
For a full showcase of the Audi e-tron S Sportback teaser images coming from the carmaker itself, please take a look at the media gallery below. We’ll be sure to publish the full showcase of the new model from the Geneva Motor Show as soon as they become available next month.
