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Audi’s e-tron Sportback concept has been revealed at the Shanghai motor show, and while there’s plenty about the fast-backed SUV’s design that’s wild and fanciful, the German carmaker is adamant that it is destined for the showroom. Audi says it’ll be on sale in 2019.
A sportier, swoopier companion to the already-revealed e-tron Quattro concept (which is itself due to morph into a production car in 2018), the e-tron Sportback features a lower roofline with a pronounced taper. Audi’s forthcoming Q8 has already been touted as the brand’s answer to the BMW X6, but the e-Tron Sportback is even closer in form factor to the Bavarian SUV.
Combined system output is a stout 320kW and 800Nm – rising to 370kW for short bursts – which is enough to launch the e-tron Sportback to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. It won’t shame a Model X P100D in a straight line, but sub-five zero-to-hundred numbers are still admirable for an SUV.
A near-neutral 52:48 weight distribution also aids dynamics, as does adaptive air suspension that actively reduces ride height as speed increases.
Charging can be accomplished by a regular cable or via a built-in inductive loop on the underside of the car. At full capacity, the e-tron Sportback’s battery can supply enough electrons for 500km of driving, and when hooked up to a 150kW fast charger, it can be charged up with 400km worth of energy in just 30 minutes.
Beneath it is another digital display for ventilation controls and a futuristic interpretation of Audi’s MMI touchpad interface, while a wide LED strip spans the passenger side of the dashboard and displays clock and climate info.
Four individual seats are separated by a tall centre console with open storage cubbies, but expect a more conventional interior in 2019 when the e-tron Sportback concept will hit showrooms as Audi’s second EV-only offering.
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