THE Audi e-tron S Sportback (and “normal” e-tron S) is not only the brand's first all-electric “S” but, more interestingly, it is the first to come with more than two electric drive motors: one on the front axle and two on the rear axle (one per wheel) — even anticipated Tesla's arrival on the market of such a configuration, with the Model S Plaid.
None of the three motors is physically connected to each other, with each one having its own gearbox (only one ratio), with communication between the three being solely in charge of the software.
However, behind the wheel we do not notice the “conversations” that may occur between the three: we press the accelerator and what we get is a decisive and linear response, as if it were just an engine.
However, the fact that each of the rear wheels has its own engine opens up a world of dynamic possibilities, making it possible to exploit the potential of torque vectoring to the full and achieving extremely precise control over how much torque reaches each wheel, which no differential can. replicate.
Finally, the two rear engines give the Audi e-tron S Sportback a clear prominence to the rear axle, which adds more newtons meters and kilowatts than the front axle, something that is unusual in the quattro ring brand — only the R8 has so much. focus on the rear drive axle.
power is not lacking
Having one more engine than the other e-trons also brought more power to the S. In total, there are 370 kW (503 hp) and 973 Nm... but only if they have the transmission in "S", and they are only available... 8s of each time. In the normal “D” position, the available power drops to 320 kW (435 hp) and 808 Nm — still higher than the peak power of 300 kW (408 hp) of the e-tron 55 quattro.
With so much electron firepower, the performance is impressive — at first. The starts are powerful, without rubbing the uncomfortable as some trams that crush us, without appeal or grievance, against the seat over and over again.
The credible official 4.5s up to 100 km/h are even more surprising, when we see that we are behind the wheel of practically 2700 kg of SUV — it even deserves to be written in full… practically two thousand and seven hundred kilos… It is heavier than, for example , the even bigger and recent Tesla Model X Plaid, the one with more than 1000 hp, in more than 200 kg.
Admittedly, the throttle intensity starts to fade when the speed is beyond triple digits, but the immediate response to the slightest press of the accelerator is always there, never hesitating.
At the wheel
If the superior performance available is one of the “S” attractions, my curiosity about the e-tron S Sportback was more about the driving experience. With the role given to the rear axle, and being an “S”, the expectation is that it would find a different driving experience from the other e-tron 55, as a result of its mechanical configuration.
I quickly realized that no, it isn't. In a normal driving, there are differences behind the wheel of the “S” in relation to the e-tron 55, they are subtle — note the firmer damping, but little more than that. Only its superior acceleration capability truly sets it apart, but don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with driving the e-tron, whatever the version, quite the opposite.
The steering is light (well disguising the substantial mass in motion), but very precise (although not very communicative), a characteristic present in the vehicle's various controls.
The refinement on board is simply superb and I have nothing to point to comfort, always at high levels, whether in urban areas where the floor is not always in the best condition, or on the highway, at high cruising speeds.
It even seems like magic how Audi engineers managed to eradicate aerodynamic and rolling noise (even bearing in mind that the wheels are huge, with 21” wheels) and the air suspension (standard) effectively deals with all the imperfections of the asphalt and we can even adjust the ground clearance as needed.
An overall perception of high integrity persists when on the move and when combined with careful soundproofing make this electric SUV a phenomenal companion for long journeys — albeit limited by range, but we'll be right there... — which is what we expect from any Audi at this level.
Looking for the "S"
But, I confess, I was hoping for a little more “spicy”. You have to pick up the pace — a lot — and take a chain of curves to understand what makes this e-tron S Sportback more special than an e-tron 55 Sportback.
Select Dynamic mode (and “S” on the transmission), press the accelerator firmly and prepare to attack the next corner that is approaching dizzyingly fast while trying to ignore it is 2.7 t to change direction quickly… Foot on brake (and notice that some initial “bite” is missing), point the front in the desired direction and marvel at how the “S” changes direction, without hesitation.
They notice that the bodywork is not very adorned and now step back on the accelerator... with conviction... and then, yes, the two rear electric motors make themselves "feel", with the rear axle progressively "pushing" the front, eliminating any trace of understeer, and if you continue to insist on the accelerator, the rear even gives an "air of its grace" — an attitude we're not used to seeing in Audi... even the very fast RS.
The point is that to get to this point, we have to be moving very fast to “feel” the effects of this unusual driving configuration. Slowing down the pace a little, but still high, the efficiency and neutrality that are typical of the brand returns. The “S” loses its distinguishing factor and its ability to influence the driving experience, only showing its full potential in “knife to teeth” mode.
That said, believe me, the e-tron S Sportback curves better than any SUV as big and heavy as this one should have no right to do so, demonstrating a surprising agility.
full of appetite
If impressed to bend, it is on open roads and long distances that Audis at this level tend to dazzle. It's as if they were designed for the sole purpose of going to the end of the world and back, preferably at very high cruising speeds on any autobahn.
The Audi e-tron S Sportback is no exception, impressing for its refinement and soundproofing, as I have already mentioned, and also for its high stability. But in that exercise, the consumptions registered greatly limit this purpose. The e-tron S Sporback has a pretty big appetite.
It's not difficult to reach consumptions like what you can see on the dashboard.
On the highway, at the legal speed in Portugal, 31 kWh/100 km was the norm, a very high value — I can only imagine on the German autobahns, their natural habitat, especially on the unrestricted sections. It may require you to do some math before we start a trip with a few hundred kilometers.
We can always opt for the national ones, at 90 km/h, but even so, the on-board computer always registered close to 24 kWh/100 km. During my stay with him I never saw less than 20kWh/100km.
With 555 l, the trunk proved to be quite large. However, unlike the "normal" e-tron, the usable height is reduced due to the shape of the body.
The 86.5 kWh net battery is big q.s., but with the ease with which consumptions rise, the 368 km of autonomy announced seems to be somewhat optimistic and will force charging more frequently than other equivalent electric ones.
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Is the car right for me?
As I mentioned at the beginning of this text, the Audi e-tron S Sportback is one of the most intriguing models I have driven from the ring brand. Whether for its mechanical configuration or the potential of its dynamic attitude. However, what it promises on paper does not seem to find an echo in reality.
If on the one hand I expected to find an e-tron with more “attitude” than the others and a distinct driving experience, this only appears in a more aggressive driving and at very high speeds; otherwise little or nothing differs from the e-tron 55 quattro.
On the other hand, despite its excellent road-going characteristics, its high consumption limits it, as we're not going to get very far.
The Audi e-tron S Sportback seems to be in a kind of limbo like this, despite all the excellent qualities it offers us. It's hard to recommend it knowing that there is a more capable e-tron 55 Sportback.
You still have to take into account the price, starting north of 100,000 euros (11 thousand euros more than the e-tron 55 Sportback), but our unit, faithful to the "premium" tradition, adds more than 20,000 euros in options — and even so I detected gaps like the absence of an adaptive cruise control.