Introduction
After the presentation more than a year ago of the Audi e-tron, the firm with the Rings unveils today the Coupé version of its 100% electric SUV. Here is our test.
The Audi e-tron Sportback in action // Source: Étienne Rovillé for Audi France Last year, Audi presented the e-tron, its first all-electric SUV. A year later, it is its Coupé version that enters the scene, called “Sportback”, and which aims to expand the range and offer a little more choice to customers. Basically, the Audi e-tron Sportback is nothing much different from the classic e-tron apart from its receding roofline giving it better aerodynamics.
With a Cx of 0.25, the Audi e-tron Sportback is at the level of the Tesla Model X at this level and gains 0.02 points compared to the classic e-tron. Thus, the autonomy climbs a few tens of kilometers. Audi announces 448 kilometers autonomy with a single charge in the WLTP cycle for the Sportback version against 417 for the classic e-tron.
The Audi e-tron Sportback, seen from behind, in action // Source: Étienne Rovillé for Audi France
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Two versions available in the catalog
Two versions are offered in the catalog, the first is called “55 quattro”, the model we are testing, and the second “50 quattro”. The first develops 360 horsepower and can even climb to 408 horsepower thanks to a function boost for eight seconds. The car has a battery of 95 kWh (86.5 kWh useful) and therefore claims, as stated above, 448 kilometers of autonomy. The second develops 313 horsepower and is equipped with a 71 kWh battery allowing it to display 347 kilometers.
Our trial version uses two asynchronous motors, each of the two motors being placed on each axle. The rear engine develops 190 horsepower and 314 Nm and the front engine 170 horsepower and 247 Nm. the rear engine that runs most often since the one at the front comes to lend a hand during heavy loads. TheAudi l’e-tron Sportback can bring down the 0 to 100 km / h in 5.7 seconds.
As stated above, the energy is supplied by a nominal 95 kWh lithium-ion battery at 396 volts. This is made up of 36 modules with a total of 492 cells. In total, this battery represents 700 kilos out of 2.5 tonnes empty of the car. To cool the whole thing, there are no less than four liquid circuits.
The Audi e-tron Sportback from the front // Source: Étienne Rovillé for Audi France
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The Audi e-tron Sportback from behind // Source: Étienne Rovillé for Audi France
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What about recharging?
Regarding charging, the Audi e-tron Sportback obviously accepts direct current (DC) up to 150 kW. Therefore, Audi announces a recharge from 0 to 80% in less than half an hour on an ultra-fast terminal, at Ionity for example. Charging can also be done at home or at small public alternating current (AC) terminals, up to 22 kW. At home, it will take more than 35 hours for a full recharge and eight hours on a fast terminal of 11 kW. Audi also offers to support its customers in charging and has partnered with several companies, such as Zeplug for example, to facilitate the installation of a home terminal.
The car is fitted with a Combo CCS connector on the left hatch while the right hatch houses a Type 2 connector. A “plug & charge” function will also arrive soon allowing the car to be recharged without using a badge, as at Tesla. Audi offers a subscription to accompany customers in their new electric adventures.
The charging socket // Source: Étienne Rovillé for Audi France
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The charging socket // Source: Étienne Rovillé for Audi France
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The “City” subscription at 4.79 euros per month provides access to many public charging stations. On the other hand, the bill will be quite steep on the Ionity terminal since recharging will be billed at 0.79 euros per minute, or 35 euros for 45 minutes of charging. And we will see it, with the range displayed by the car on the highway, it is not necessarily a good deal.
If you have to make slightly longer journeys in an Audi e-tron, you should rather prefer the “Transit” subscription at 17.35 euros per month. On Ionity, prices will drop considerably to 0.31 euros per minute, which gives us 13.95 euros for 45 minutes of charging. It is much more honest.
Barely marred habitability
Before starting our test, let’s get inside the welcoming cabin of this e-tron Sportback. The whole is dressed to the nines, the materials are of quality, the finishes impeccable. In short, we are in a high-end Audi. Three screens are available to control the entire car, one at the level of the dashboard, an infotainment screen and a screen for managing the air conditioning and driving aids at the foot of the console.
All the screens are fluid and benefit from very beautiful graphics, it is quite rare among car manufacturers to underline it. The infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless.
As an option, our test model is equipped with the famous camera mirrors (optional at 1,850 euros). These also have a small aerodynamic function since they allow to gain 0.01 in Cx and three kilometers of autonomy. As a result, the small exterior windows disappear in favor of cameras responsible for transcribing the image at the end of the storm door. The camera position is adjusted via the driver’s side touchscreen.
If you damage your camera mirror, be aware that replacing it will cost you around 630 euros, excluding labor costs. It is a little more expensive than a classic mirror which will cost you on average 500 euros, if you have the blind spot alert or a flashing light reminder.
Camera mirrors // Source: Étienne Rovillé for Audi France
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Camera mirrors // Source: Étienne Rovillé for Audi France
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The graphics are fine, but the placement of the screens requires a little adaptation time, as does the perspective which is difficult to understand, especially for those who are used to parking with the help of mirrors. On the central screen, our Audi e-tron has the 360 ° camera, which is relatively efficient and which will help to visualize everything around the car. To finish with the interior, know that the fact that this e-tron Sportback is electric does not prevent to benefit from a good habitability. Still happy with 4.90 meters you will tell us, even if the Audi e-tron Sportback loses 45 liters compared to the classic e-tron and peaks at 615 liters.
Alliance between dynamism and comfort
Our test, carried out in the Paris region, did not allow us to test the charging. In general, on a route of a little over 200 kilometers with 30% city, 50% secondary roads and 20% on the highway, we did not need to recharge. In terms of road behavior, Audi e-tron Sportback emphasizes comfort with first class soundproofing and suspensions that filter out the slightest bumps in the road.
The Audi e-tron Sportback is not ridiculous either when you increase the pace despite its 2.5 tonnes on the empty scale. It does not sag too much on its supports and takes very little roll, the raises are lively and dynamic, in short, without being a real athlete, The Audi e-tron Sportback combines two opposing qualities very well: comfort and dynamism. Weight inevitably results in inertia under braking, and even if the brakes are well sized, a bit of anticipation will be needed. The only small negative point in our eyes, the steering is too artificial, not really natural, and overall smooths all the information related to our driving.
In terms of consumption, we found around 23 kWh / 100 kilometers, without ever adopting dynamic driving or even without having done eco-driving. Gargantuan consumption, but not really surprising considering the weight of the car. On the highway, consumption soars and blithely exceeds 30 kWh / 100 kilometers, which considerably reduces the range of action of the car. With a few comfort elements activated, you can expect a little more than 250 kilometers with a single charge on the highway.
A salty final bill
Available from 74,500 euros, it will obviously take a little more if we want to have all the equipment in accordance with the pedigree of the car. Therefore, our trial version in version “55 quattro” and with the highest level of finish, namely “Avus Extended”, is charged. 110 600 euros.
For comparison, a Tesla Model X Grande Autonomie is now displayed in France from 89,900 euros and claims, under the WLTP cycle, 507 kilometers of autonomy. The Audi e-tron Sportback is also not affected by the new ecological bonus of 7000 euros in view of its price above 45,000 euros.
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