Audi announced the launch of the e-tron S and Sportback this fall with a design refresh and other upgrades.
The e-tron series got off to a shaky start in the US due to stiff competition from home-grown Tesla and other manufacturers, but Audi’s new offensive might do the trick. Indeed, Audi just updated the e-tron S’ design to give it a sportier appearance, courtesy of wider front and rear fenders with larger air curtains.
Going with the sporty theme, the German manufacturer fitted the e-tron S with larger 20-inch alloys as standard and the option to upgrade to 21 or 22 inches, including summer tires with the Black Optic Package. The highlight of the exterior, though, is the inclusion of Audi’s renowned Matrix LED headlamps. Customers who fancy a bit more can also opt for Digital Matrix LED units with additional safety features and gimmicks like animations and all. For instance, one can choose between five different colors for welcome and departure lighting as well as lane-markers and light beams that dip outside or below the car ahead. However, its availability is subject to US regulations.
Inside, the Audi e-tron S is adorned with a fine wood ash trim on the dashboard, while the heated front and rear seats are upholstered in Valcona Leather with a 12-way contrast diamond stitching as standard. With the optional Individual Contour Seat package, you’ll get a combination of Valcona and Milano leather finish with ventilation, massaging, passenger-side memory functions in the front seats.
The new e-tron S also features Audi’s 12.3-inch digital cockpit display along with split 10.6-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower displays—if you like screens, this one’s for you. And as with most cars nowadays, turn-by-turn navigational controls, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other phone connectivity features are standard here as well. Of course, it is also equipped with a suite of safety systems starting with Audi active lane assist and turn assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, integrated toll module (customizable to toll booths across the country), and so on. Optional extras include power soft closing doors, dual-pane acoustic front side windows, intersection assist, and a head-up display.
It’s important to keep in mind that, despite all that tech, Audi e-tron S is first and foremost an EV with a very capable powertrain under the body. Indeed, the SUV is fitted with a single motor at the front and two asynchronous motors mounted on each wheel at the rear, bolting out 429 hp and 596 lb-ft of torque. Looking for a little more? Enabling boost mode will increase the power and torque figures to a respectable 496 hp and 718 lb-ft for 8 secs, which should see the SUV sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
The e-tron S normally runs in RWD mode but will switch to AWD mode when it detects a slip or loss of grip. Juice is provided by a 95 kWh Li-ion battery pack mounted on the chassis to keep COG low. As a result, Audi claims an EPA range of 208 miles for the SUV and 212 miles on the Sportback version. The e-tron S gets a 9.6 kW onboard charger as standard, but also supports fast charging speeds up to 150 kW at Level 3 DC charging stations.
Understandably, the Audi e-tron S doesn’t come cheap, priced at $84,800 for the Premium Plus variant,$89,800 for the top-of-the-line Prestige, $87,400 for the e-tron S Sportback, and the Prestige will set you back a hefty $92,400. Not cheap indeed. Still, if it drives just half as good as it looks, it should be worth every penny.
