Audi is unveiling a new battery-electric e-tron concept in Shanghai: the Audi e-tron Sportback. The production version will come in 2019 as Audi’s second battery-electric offering, following the introduction of the production version of the Audi e-tron SUV in 2018.
The e-tron Sportback uses a three-motor, all-wheel-drive system that will also be adopted in future production Audi models with all-electric drive: one electric motor on the front axle and two on the rear powering all four wheels, transforming the high-performance coupé into an e-quattro. The 320 kW of system power—370 kW in boost mode—propels the electric Sportback 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.5 seconds. With the battery’s energy content of 95 kilowatt-hours, range is in excess of 500 kilometers (310.7 miles) (NEDC).
Audi first showcased the concept for the three electric motors in its Audi e-tron quattro concept study car at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show; the drive system, which provides a high level of advanced torque vectoring capability, is now bound for use in future production versions.
A controller continuously computes the optimal interplay of the electric motors for every driving situation. At low load, only the motor on the front axle provides propulsion. When the driver floors the accelerator in the S driving mode and all three electric motors are working together, 370 kW of output and more than 800 N·m (590.0 lb‑ft) of torque are available in the boost mode. In the standard D driving program, the e-tron Sportback delivers 320 kW.
More information from Audi here.
Aaron is an automotive journalist living in Wyoming, USA. His background includes technology, mechanics, commercial vehicles, and new vehicle evaluations. Aaron is a member of several automotive media groups and writes for many well-known publications.