Audi e-tron S Sportback

MODEL: Audi Audi e-tron S Sportback
PRICE RANGE: $189,900+ ORC
POWER: 320kW/808Nm - 370kW/973Nm (with output boost)
GEARBOX: Single gear
ECONOMY: Consumption 28.1 - 25.6 WLTP / Range 378 kms
0-100: 5.1 seconds
BODY STYLE: SUV
STATUS: Currently available

Spaceship looks and performance to match

Big, blue and a bit like a spaceship. That’s the opinion of my nearly four year old when she saw and sat inside the latest Audi e-tron S Sportback model. And I tend to agree. The model given to us to review sat on 22-inch Interference 5 arm alloys, which gave a nod to the extra S badge on the vehicle. If your Audi comes with an S badge (or better still an RS badge) you know its going to deliver a bit more then the norm. The e-tron S Sportback is no different. With sports seats, privacy glass, S-line steering wheel and all the electronic wizardry that can be packed into a modern-day car, it definitely looked and felt the part.

I particularly enjoyed the 360-degree camera for parking, the heads-up display and the digital cockpit. But did it drive the part? Yes, yes it did. As is the case with BEV vehicles the power is instant, and the e-tron S had plenty of it coming from two electric motors and delivered via Audi’s AWD system to all four wheels. 0-50kph in quick time to make the work commute easy and 0-100kph at a purported 4.5 seconds would make anyone’s hair stand up. Whilst I didn’t experience that, the run on the motorway was smooth and effortless.

Sizable yet nimble

Miss four made the comment that she couldn’t hear the engine when we started the car. She is used to the sound of a V6 starting, so hardly surprising. But it still remains the one thing which needs an adjustment. The start/stop button doesn’t come with anything more than the lights flickering on or off. No big rumble, no stampede of horses just the lights coming on and you’re off with a gentle whirr.

Verdict

By day four of driving the e-tron, I had made the adjustment, and the ease of driving the big blue spaceship really kicked in. It is user-friendly for the driver with very handy intuitive touchscreens and steering wheel mounted controls making changing a radio station or answering a call effortless. Then there is the driving experience. This too is effortless. You have enough power at your fingertips to enjoy the drive and whilst it might be a big blue spaceship it doesn’t drive like it’s a big car. The steering is nimble enough, the turning circle good for its size and it handles a good downpour of rain with ease (I can attest to that!). After travelling up and over a few of the hills around metropolitan Auckland it was great to see the regenerative braking system help top up the vehicle’s battery.

The irony of having a BEV for a weekend - hopping back into your car and the petrol light is on. Does that count as range anxiety?

Safety systems

• Audi Active Lane Assist with emergency assist (semi-automatic vehicle control in medical emergency)
• Audi Pre Sense Front - with Collision Avoidance Assist and Turn Assist 
• Audi lane change assist incl. exit warning system and rear traffic alert
• High Beam Assist
• Electronic stabilisation control (ESC) 
• Driver and passenger airbags, side airbags in front and rear, and curtain airbag system
• Park distance control, front and rear with 360 display
• Front cross traffic assist

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