The 2021 Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback

Audi is consistently continuing its electric offensive - with the new Audi e-tron S and the new Audi e-tron S Sportback (internal type designation GE). Each of the two purely electrically powered S models uses three electric motors, two of which work on the rear axle. Its intelligent drive control raises driving safety and, above all, driving dynamics to a new level: electric torque vectoring is added to the all-wheel drive with active and fully variable torque distribution on the rear axle. The new Audi e-tron S and the new Audi e-tron S Sportback deliver dynamism in a new dimension. In gear S, they provide their full boost performance for eight seconds - 370 kW of power and 973 Nm of torque. The standard sprint lasts just 4,5 seconds, the acceleration ends at 210 km / h. The nominal values ​​in driving mode D, i.e. without boost, are 320 kW and 808 Nm.

Handling 2.0: the driving experience

The new S models have two e-machines on the rear axle and one on the front axle - they are the world's first electric cars with three motors that are mass-produced. Their drive layout uses the modular principle: The more powerful electric machine that drives the rear axle on the Audi e-tron 55 is now fitted to the front axle in an adapted design. The front electric motor from the e-tron 55 works together with an identical counterpart and individual modifications in the rear. The high-voltage battery system is located under the passenger cell, each of its 36 modules contains twelve cells. The battery stores gross 95 kWh of energy, of which 91 percent (86 kWh) can be used. With one battery charge, the Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback achieve ranges of up to 360 kilometers and 365 kilometers in the WLTP cycle (provisional values).

quattro reloaded: electrical torque vectoring

As long as the Audi e-tron S and the e-tron S Sportback are driving normally, only the rear electric motors work for reasons of efficiency. The front one is activated at lightning speed when the driver demands more power - or predictively before the traction decreases. In addition to the electric all-wheel drive, there is now electric torque vectoring: each of the rear electric motors sends the drive torque directly to the respective wheel via an input gearbox, a mechanical differential no longer exists. The needs-based regulation only takes milliseconds and it can manage very high drive torques. With electric torque vectoring, Audi is raising the principle of four driven wheels to a new level 40 years after the introduction of quattro technology.

When the driver demands the electrically powered S models on a winding route, they experience their excellent agility and traction. Their character is more emphasized by the rear and even sportier than their technical starting point. If the ESC stabilization control is set to "Sport" and the Audi drive select driving dynamics system in "dynamic" mode is set to maximum performance, the drive layout allows high lateral dynamics and, if desired, controlled drifts. Near the physical limit, the relieved inner front wheel is slightly decelerated via the wheel brake, which prevents slippage and further refines the handling. The sharp dynamics, high precision and uncompromising safety are based on the close networking of all control units that manage the drive and chassis systems.

Networking: the chassis of the electrically powered S models

The large high-voltage battery ensures a balanced distribution of the axle loads, and it is installed in a similarly deep installation position as the three electric machines. This brings the center of gravity of the car down, with great advantages for handling. The progressive steering, the translation of which becomes more and more direct with increasing steering angle, underlines the sporty character, the chassis is S-specific. The Audi drive select system offers seven driving profiles to choose from. Among other things, it uses the adaptive air suspension sport - the air suspension with controlled damping can vary the height of the body depending on the driving situation and setting up to 76 millimeters. The electric S models roll on 20-inch wheels as standard, their tires are already 285 millimeters wide. If desired, there are wheels in 21 inch size, even sportier 22 inch wheels will follow later. Fixed calipers with six pistons each sit above the large brake discs, while floating calipers are installed at the rear. As standard, the brake calipers are painted black and have an S logo, on request they glow in orange and have the e-tron logo.

The brake is actuated and regulated via a compact module - it controls the pressure build-up electronically ("by wire"), amplifies it electrically and actuates the brakes hydraulically. An electric spindle drive sets the displacement piston in motion very quickly; after only 150 milliseconds, the pads lie on the disks with full pressure. Depending on the driving situation, the brake control system decides whether the car decelerates with the e-machines, the wheel brakes or both systems, individually on each axle.

Versatile: the charging range at home and on the go

The owners of the Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback can choose from numerous charging options. In the home garage, they use the charging system compact 230 and 400 volt sockets and charge with a maximum of 11 kW. Using the myAudi app, charging processes and timers as well as pre-air conditioning can be controlled via smartphone. The optional charging system connect, which follows shortly after the market launch, enables intelligent charging functions in conjunction with a home energy management system. In Europe, the e-tron Charging Service provides access to more than 150.000 public charging points with one card. The Audi e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback can charge up to 150 kW direct current (DC) on many HPC (High Power Charging) charging stations. The charging process from 5 to 80 percent only takes around half an hour under ideal conditions, while the high charging capacity remains almost constant. Favorable conditions apply to customers of Audi's own charging service in Ionity's Europe-wide rapid charging network. In the first year, Audi pays the basic fee for the transit tariff, which offers a reduced price per kWh of electricity.

Innovative solutions: aerodynamics

Especially with the optional virtual exterior mirrors - cameras that send their pictures on high-contrast displays in the interior - the Audi e-tron S models achieve very good cd values. Flow-through wheel arch extensions also make a significant contribution to resolving the conflict of goals between outstanding aerodynamics and a sporty look. This innovative technology developed by Audi has now been patented - the brand with the four rings is now being used in large-scale automobile manufacturing. With it, the Audi e-tron S Sportback achieves a drag coefficient of just 0,26 despite its widened wheel arches. The Audi e-tron S has 0,28. A second major component in the aerodynamics concept is the controllable cooling air inlet with channels for cooling the front wheel brakes. It remains closed as often as possible so that the airstream flows over the hood with almost no swirling. As part of the efficient thermal management system, every e-tron has a heat pump as standard. It draws thermal output from the waste heat from the drive components - this increases the range by up to ten percent.

The complex recuperation concept also pays into the efficiency account. With thrust recuperation, the driver can choose between three levels; on the highest, he experiences a noticeable one-pedal feeling. When braking, the electric machines provide the deceleration alone in the range of 0,3 g - in most everyday situations - only then does the hydraulic wheel brake come into play. The electric motors remain active, however, when braking from 100 km / h they can convert up to 270 kW peak output.

Plus five centimeters wide: the exterior design

The Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback reveal their electric power at first glance. Its front and rear bumpers are heavily contoured, the Air Curtains are particularly large and expressively drawn. At the rear, the diffuser insert runs almost across the full width of the vehicle. The wheel arches are 23 millimeters wider on both sides, which makes the cars look very powerful. Silver-colored attachments set accents on the front and rear - an exclusive feature for the S models, as well as the aluminum exterior mirror housings. Large parts in the lower area of ​​the body are painted in a contrasting color on request. In both cars, the light comes optionally from digital matrix LED headlights - another global innovation in large series, which Audi presented in autumn 2019 with the e-tron Sportback. When broken down into 1,3 million pixels each, the light can be controlled with high precision, which enables many new functions. In narrow passages, for example, it marks the position of the car in the lane and helps the driver to stay safely centered.

Progressive: the interior and the equipment

The interiors of the Audi e-tron S and Audi e-tron S Sportback are kept in dark tones. Electrically adjustable sports seats are standard, their leather / Alcantara covers and the gear selector have S-shaped embossing with a diamond. The decorative panels are made of brushed aluminum in two versions, on request made of carbon. In the dark, the contour / ambient light package sets progressive accents.

Fully digital: operation, infotainment and assistance systems

Like all luxury class models from Audi, the Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback come with the digital MMI touch response operating system with the two large central displays. In the third display, the Audi virtual cockpit, the driver can select a special e-tron screen that focuses on the electric drive. A head-up display complements the advertising concept on request. The MMI navigation plus operating and infotainment system is standard on board. Behind its many functions is the modular infotainment kit of the third generation MIB 3, which processes all tasks with high computing power. It cooperates with the Communication Box, which connects the car with the environment and the smartphones of the passengers.

The online services from Audi connect complement the navigation, especially the extended e-tron route planner. It calculates the fastest route including the optimal charging stops, including traffic data, the driver's driving profile and the duration of the charging stops. In some cases, this strategy can lead him to suggest an alternative route. The list of charging points, which contains corresponding additional information, is updated online every day. If desired, charging stations at which the driver can pay with the e-tron Charging Service can be preferred in the route planning.

Both models have numerous assistance systems on board. The standard efficiency assistant supports an economical driving style with predictive information and, if desired, with automatic recuperation. In conjunction with the optional Adaptive Driving Assistant, the system recognizes the traffic environment and the route through sensor and navigation data as well as Car-to-X information. As a result, it can predictively decelerate and accelerate the car. The central driver assistance control unit continuously calculates an image of the vehicle environment from the data supplied by the sensors and makes it available to all assistance systems.

In autumn: market launch in Europe

The two electrically powered S models will be launched on the European markets in autumn 2020. In Germany, the basic price for the Audi e-tron S is from EUR 93.800, the Audi e-tron S Sportback costs from EUR 96.050. If we receive timely information on further details about the 2021 Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback, there is of course an update for this report. You will be informed if you simply use ours Feed subscribe to. Have fun watching the pictures and stay true to us!

(Photos: Audi)

The Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback:

• Drive and high-voltage battery
  - Two asynchronous electric motors each on the rear axle and one on the front axle; together 320 kW peak power and 808 Nm peak torque, in boost 370 kW and 973 Nm
  - Sporty acceleration values: 0 - 100 km / h in 4,5 seconds; Top speed 210 km / h
  - Electric all-wheel drive and electric torque vectoring via the two electric motors on the rear axle; intensive and therefore lightning-fast and high-precision networking of drive, all-wheel drive and brake control
  - Elaborate recuperation system with energy recovery during overrun and with most braking operations, three levels can be selected, power up to 270 kW
  - Range with one charge of up to 360 kilometers (provisional value) for the e-tron S or 365 kilometers (provisional value) for the e-tron S Sportback in the WLTP cycle
  - Battery with 95 kWh (86 kWh net), 397 volts voltage; 36 cell modules with twelve cells each
  - Highly flexible thermal management with four circuits, efficient heat pump standard
• Suspension
  - The basic sporty character of the driving behavior thanks to the deep and central installation position of the drive and battery
  - Audi drive select dynamic handling system with seven profiles, progressive steering and standard adaptive air suspension sport, S-specific tuning
  - Electro-hydraulic wheel brake system with very rapid pressure build-up; Brake calipers painted orange on request, large brake discs
  - Wheels with a diameter of 20 to 22 inches, tire width 285 mm throughout
• Store offer
  - AC and three-phase charging at home up to 11 kW; On request, the connect charging system with intelligent functions shortly after the market launch
  - Fast charging on the go with up to 11 kW or with direct current with up to 150 kW power
  - e-tron Charging Service makes more than 150.000 charging points in Europe accessible with one card
  - myAudi app for remote management of charging and pre-air conditioning
• Exterior design and aerodynamics
  - Striking design for front and rear bumpers and diffuser insert; Wheel arches widened by 23 millimeters each; silver-colored attachments
  - On request, digital matrix LED headlights; new technology with 1,3 million micromirrors, new light functions such as track and orientation light
  - Cd value only 0,26 (e-tron S Sportback), wheel arch extensions at the front, optional virtual exterior mirrors with cameras and OLED displays
• Interior and operation
  - Interior with a decidedly calm design language - Sporty and progressive color scheme; electrically adjustable sports seats with leather / Alcantara covers, inlays made of aluminum or carbon; Contour / ambient lighting package
  - Two large MMI touch response displays, both with haptic feedback, Audi virtual cockpit and, on request, a head-up display
• Networking and equipment
  - New main unit (MIB 3) with increased computing power for the MMI navigation plus
  - Audi connect with many online services, including an extended e-tron route planner
  - Many assistance systems such as adaptive driver assistance (option) and efficiency assistant (standard);
  - Series start in autumn 2020 in Europe; Base price in Germany 93.800 euros for the Audi e-tron S and 96.050 euros for the Audi e-tron S Sportback

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2021 Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback

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