BACK TO THE FUTURE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_audie-tronsportback_2021

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 88

Audi's e-tron EV brand got a sharper edge back in 2020 with this e-tron Sportback model. This Coupe-SUV offered a much more stylish look than the standard e-tron SUV bodyshape that had arrived just before it and, like that more conventional variant, offered the choice of two battery sizes and two or three-motor drive options. If you thought Jaguar's I-PACE was the only battery-powered luxury large SUV from the 2020-2022 era capable of rewarding at the wheel, a drive in one of these might make you think again.

Modelsword count: 8

5dr SUV (50 quattro, 55 quattro, e-tron S)

Historyword count: 347

What's possibly the least environmentally sensible vehicle genre on the market? That for sporting large coupe-styled luxury SUVs would have to be right up there, cars like the BMW X6, the Mercedes GLE Coupe and the Audi Q8. Could a car of this sort ever be really socially responsible? Could a car of this kind ever be really dynamic and rewarding to drive? With its e-tron Sportback model, Audi thought it could be. This car, as its name suggested, was a fastback version of the brand's regular e-tron, the company's large full-electric EV which was launched in 2019 to battle segment rivals like Jaguar's I-PACE and the Mercedes EQC. The ordinary e-tron was an impressive feat of technology for its time, but could sometimes feel a little flat-footed in this company. The e-tron Sportback, announced in 2020, didn't just look more dynamic: Audi moved to make sure that it drove that way too. Especially in top e-tron Sportback S form. Unlike the smaller Q4 or the larger e-tron GT, this e-tron Sportback didn't sit on a purpose-designed EV platform: which meant that, as with the ordinary e-tron SUV, the car's consequently portly weight delivered driving range figures that lagged behind those of the class leaders. There was plenty of technology to compensate though; the sci-fi-style 'Virtual Mirrors' for instance, 'L'-shaped pods that replaced ordinary door mirrors and transferred footage of what was happening behind to screens integrated into the doors where door handles would normally be. Then there was the clever front and rear axle decoupling system, so the drive could be limited to the rear motor in low-demand situations, maximising range. The e-tron S variant went further, launched in late 2020 as the world's first EV with a powertrain using three electric motors, one big one at the front and two more at the rear. A format which ushered in a whole new era of drive dynamics for high performance electric vehicles. Both the e-tron SUV and the e-tron Sportback were replaced, respectively, by the Q8 e-tron and the Q8 Sportback e-tron models in early 2023.

What You Getword count: 546

What we've got here is certainly a substantial piece of Ingolstadt real estate, over 4.9-metres long and sitting over 1.6-metres high, though there's plenty of panelwork sculpting to disguise the bulk, including the mid-level crease that flows through the door handles and a prominent upper swage line that emphasises the powerful rear haunches. The lower edge of the third side window rises towards the rear - a typical Audi Sportback feature. And between the upward-slanting lower crease and the lower side sills is a trim panel that's either black (with the standard e-tron Sportback) or silver (with the S model), either way supposed to draw the eye to where the battery, and thus the energy centre of the car, can be found. Nice touches if fitted include the optional virtual mirrors, 'L'-shaped pods that protrude on aerodynamic stalks replacing ordinary door mirrors; and the inclusion of charging flaps on both sides of the car behind the front wheel arches, which feature copper-themed e-tron badges and neatly open with the push of a button. As usual with modern Audis, the front end is dominated by the kind of huge octagonal Singleframe grille you might think an EV wouldn't need. This one, which has lower e-tron branding, is light platinum grey with vertical struts and if you look closer, you'll see that it's mainly enclosed, signalling the car's battery status. At the rear, as is usual with Audi's latest large models, a light strip connects the LED tail lamps to one another, emphasising the substantial 1,935mm body width. Which as you'd expect is the same up front as with the company's ordinary boxier e-tron large SUV. Which means that, like other more conventional large Audi models, you get two central MMI touch response displays that blend into vast swathes of piano black trim. You view another screen through the four-spoke wheel, this one a 12.3-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' monitor that includes a 'Power Meter' covering the car's charging and regenerative functions. The leather-stitched seats are superbly comfortable and position you fairly loftily - which is one of the reasons why forward vision is excellent. And there's plenty of interior storage, including a central open-sided compartment between the seats that's intended to have the feel of a light, sleek sculpture. It's unusual, much like the gear selector, which is operated by a hand rest which appears to 'float' above the console and is activated by a one-touch action conducted with either thumb or index finger. In the back, this Sportback's 20mm reduction in ceiling height might bother you if you're a 6-footer - your head will be brushing the immaculately crafted roof liner - but otherwise, it feels pretty spacious in the rear. As for cargo space, well there's a compartment under the bonnet, but since that's only 60-litres in size, we'll ignore it and focus on the boot area. You get a powered tailgate of course, which rises to reveal a 555-litre luggage bay for this Sportback body shape - which is 45-litres less than the ordinary boxier e-tron SUV body shape can offer. There's also a useful under-floor storage area. Fold down the rear bench (which folds conveniently in a 40:20:40-split) and 1,595-litres of capacity is freed up. That's 60-litres less than an ordinary e-tron SUV body shape.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227