The Audi e-tron Sportback debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show, offering a sporty take on the electric SUV. It joins the e-tron SUV, which arrived for the 2019 model year, but it has a more sloped roofline and several new technologies.
While it has the same powertrain, the e-tron Sportback comes in with a slightly increased range. Credit goes partly to powertrain enhancements. But is largely due to its sloped roofline, which improves aerodynamics at the tradeoff of slightly reduced interior volume.
POWERTRAIN AND RANGE
The e-tron Sportback powertrain features an electric motor with 184 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque at the front axle and a second electric motor with 224 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque at the rear axle. This provides all-wheel drive and gives the e-tron Sportback a maximum output of 402 horsepower.
VIRTUAL REALITY
Side view mirrors produce considerable drag. Audi takes care of that problem by eliminating traditional side view mirrors altogether and replacing them with optional virtual mirrors.
DIGITAL MATRIX LED HEADLIGHTS
Optional in Europe but not available yet in the United States due to current laws are Digital Matrix LED headlights. According to Audi, these provide “high resolution” illumination. The system works with the help of a small chip with one million micromirrors, each of which can be individually tilted up to 5,000 times per second.
First deliveries of the Audi e-tron Sportback are expected for the European market in the spring of 2020 with a starting price of roughly $79,000. Expect a U.S. launch later next year with pricing to be announced.
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