Audi e-tron Sportback is Ready for Production (Photos)
The e-tron Sportback is confirmed for production in 2019. See what this new crossover EV from Audi has in store for consumers.
1. A little backstory
The e-tron Sportback will be Audi's second EV vehicle made to get the brand up to speed with Tesla and to fill in for the gaps left by diesel vehicles. The e-tron name has been applied to cars in the Audi stable for some time now ever since the R8 e-tron concept in 2009. However, the first time that the e-tron moniker stood on its on was on the awesome e-tron Quattro concept in 2015.
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2. The e-tron Sportback's drivetrain
The e-tron Sportback has a 429 horsepower (boostable to 496) electric drivetrain that uses one motor up in the front and two in the rear alongside a 95-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It can go 311 miles on a charge and can travel from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds. While this isn't anywhere close to Tesla's "ludicrous" mode it is still plenty fast for a vehicle of its size.
>>Join the conversation about the 2019 E-tron Sportback right here in the Audi World Forum!
3. Audi's foray into the EV market
The e-tron Sportback will be the second of three EVs that the brand wants to bring to market by 2020 for fuel alternative seeking consumers. The first car will be a production version of the e-tron quattro concept that could go under the name of the Q6 e-tron. The other vehicle will be a sportier version of the e-tron Sportback that will be a compact EV on the MEB platform from the VW Group.
>>Join the conversation about the 2019 E-tron Sportback right here in the Audi World Forum!
4. Some futuristic touches
Audi has grand plans for the e-tron Sportback and promises that 80% of the 95 kWh battery pack has the ability to charge in 30 minutes. Audi has also seen fit to add a wireless charging system to the car that can be installed in the garage or driveway for easy use. The car can remotely park itself over the charging pad and will recharge just as fast as if it were plugged in.
>>Join the conversation about the 2019 E-tron Sportback right here in the Audi World Forum!
5. The interior
In typical concept car fashion, the mirrors are side cameras, the front fascia can project animations onto the road to alert people to whatever message you have for them, and the wheels are a ginormous 23 inches. The interior has a plethora of touch panels just like in the newly introduced 2018 A8, and doors that will display the info from the side cameras. Audi saw fit to spray the seats and select door panels with an electro-luminescent paint that will emit a gentle glow in the cabin. The light will help to illuminate things without the need for wires, bulbs, or LEDs.
>>Join the conversation about the 2019 E-tron Sportback right here in the Audi World Forum!
6. When will it hit markets?
Since the e-tron Sportbacks release is fast approaching expect to see the vehicle soon sans the unrealistic bits like the massive wheels and side cameras. Pricing will probably be on par with the Tesla Model X that it's set to go head to head with. Also, the four rings that make up the Audi logo will now for the first time ever be illuminated on a car. The logo will use LEDs to light up both the front and back: the front one glows white, while the rear will change color for various purposes. When the rear logo is white the car is idle, red when driving, bright red when braking, and a bright white when the reverse gear is engaged.
>>Join the conversation about the 2019 E-tron Sportback right here in the Audi World Forum!
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