S TO IMPRESS (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_audie-tronssportback_2021

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 72

By 2020, for ultimate EV performance, it was no longer sufficient for a brand to merely give its electric vehicle a drive motor on the front axle to add to the one at the back. As Audi's two e-tron S models showed, ideally you'd want three motors. The result was more power, more grip and better handling: it's all good. Let's check this rare EV performance Audi out as a used buy.

Modelsword count: 9

5dr SUV (e-tron S SUV & e-tron S Sportback)

Historyword count: 205

Audi performance cars have carried the S badge since the '100' model-based S4 the early Nineties, but the launch of the e-tron S model line in 2020 represented the first time Ingolstadt S tuning had crossed the divide into the brand's growing family of electrified e-tron models. Here, it signalled a ground breaking president in volume production, this e-tron S Sportback model and its e-Tron S stablemate being the market's first EVs to use three electric drive motors, one on the front axle and two at the rear. The result, predictably, was explosive performance. Even more significantly, having two motors on the rear axle allowed Audi to further reinvent the EV version of its quattro four wheel drive system, drive at speed able to switch not only from front to rear but between each of the back wheels. So grip and traction are never in doubt. Audi reckoned this system set a fresh standard for the way a big EV could handle and provided it in both standard SUV and Sportback versions of its large luxury e-tron crossover model. Both the e-tron S SUV and the e-tron S Sportback were replaced, respectively, by the SQ8 e-tron and the SQ8 Sportback e-tron models in early 2023.

What You Getword count: 377

In S-specification form, the e-tron Sportback set itself apart with key silver trimming features - most notably for the S-specific front bumper, which features that colour for the spoiler lip and the air intake surrounds. In profile, more S-specific silver trimming features for the side sills and the door mirror housings. Nice touches 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. At the rear, where there's model-specific badging, the upper edge of the bumper and the lower diffuser both gain more striking silver finishing with S trim. A potent-looking diffuser stretches the width of the underside, with a distinctive design signature intended to draw the eye to the absence of exhaust pipes. Inside, this S model is set apart by Valcona leather-trimmed Super sport seats with their diamond stitching and S embossing. And by little touches like the S embossing on the gear shifter, the illuminated S-branded door sill scuff plates and by a subtle red surround for the stop/start button. There's a race-style flat-bottomed steering wheel too, though which you view up 12.3-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' instrument binnacle screen upgraded to 'Plus' status, which means you can select this more focused extra 'e-tron Sport' single dial layout. In the back, the Sportback version'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 the Sportback body shape - which is 45-litres less than the ordinary boxier e-tron S 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 in the Sportback variant. That's 60-litres less than an ordinary e-tron SUV body shape.

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