Audi is showing consistency and continuing with its electric offensive - with the new Audi e-tron S and the new Audi e-tron S Sportback. Both of the S models with fully electric drive use three electric motors, two of which operate on the rear axle. Their intelligent drive control raises vehicle safety, and dynamic handling in particular, to a new level. In addition to the electric all-wheel drive, the vehicles are equipped with electric torque vectoring with active and fully variable torque distribution on the rear axle.
Handling 2.0: the driving experience
The new Audi e-tron S and the new Audi e-tron S Sportback deliver dynamics in a new dimension. In S gear, they provide their full boost performance for eight seconds - 370 kW of power and 973 Nm (717.6 lb-ft) of torque. The standard sprint takes just 4.5 seconds and acceleration ends at 210 km/h (130.5 mph). The new S models have two electric motors on the rear axle and one on the front axle, making them the first mass-produced electric cars in the world to have three electric motors. Their drive layout is based on the modular construction principle: An adapted design of the more powerful electric motor that powers rear axle in the Audi e-tron 55 is now installed on the front axle. The front electric motor from the e-tron 55 operates together with a structurally identical counterpart and individual modifications in the rear. The high-voltage battery has a gross energy capacity of 95 kWh, of which 91 percent (86 kWh) is usable. With one battery charge, the Audi e-tron S and the Audi e-tron S Sportback achieve ranges of up to 360 km (223.7 mi) and 365 km (226.8 mi) respectively in the WLTP cycle (preliminary values).
quattro reloaded: electric torque vectoring
In order to improve efficiency, only the rear electric motors are engaged as long as the Audi e-tron S and the e-tron S Sportback are operating in normal driving mode. The front electric motor flashes into action when the driver demands more performance, or predictively before traction subsides. Electric all-wheel drive is now enhanced with electric torque vectoring: Each of the rear electric motors sends the drive torques directly to the respective wheel via a single-speed transmission; there is no more mechanical differential. Need-based regulation takes just milliseconds and can manage very high drive torques.
Networking: the suspension of the electric S models
The large high-voltage battery ensures a balanced distribution of the axle loads and is installed in a low position comparable to that of the three electric motors. This lowers the car's center of gravity, which offers great advantages in terms of handling. The progressive steering, whose ratio becomes increasingly direct as the steering movement increases, emphasizes the sporty character. The suspension has S-specific tuning. The Audi drive select system offers seven driving profiles. For example, it accesses the adaptive air suspension sport - the air suspension with regulated damping can vary the level of the body by up to 76 millimeters (3.0 in) depending on the driving situation and settings.
Innovative solutions: aerodynamics
Thanks to the optional virtual exterior mirrors (cameras that send their pictures to high-contrast displays in the interior) in particular, the Audi e-tron S models achieve very good drag coefficients. Flow-optimized wheel arch extensions also make a considerable contribution to resolving the conflict of objectives between outstanding aerodynamics and a sporty look. The innovative technology was developed by Audi and is now patented. The brand with the four rings is introducing it to large-scale vehicle construction for the first time. This allows the Audi e-tron S Sportback to achieve a drag coefficient of just 0.26, despite the widening of its wheel arches; in the Audi e-tron S, the drag coefficient is 0.28.
In the fall: market launch in Europe
The two electrically powered S models will be launched on the European markets in fall 2020. In Germany, the base price for the Audi e-tron S starts at EUR 93,800; for the e-tron S Sportback, it starts at EUR 96,050.
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