Audi e-tron Sportback S

Overview

Right then, this is the Audi e-tron Sportback S, and it’s not just another electric SUV – it’s the one with three motors and some serious Audi S-badge swagger! Discontinued in 2022, it brought a potent blend of style, luxury, and electrifying performance to the premium EV scene. Think sleek coupe-SUV lines meets rocket-ship thrust. You can snag a used one for around €45,890 in the EU. It’s a proper head-turner with the go to match its show, offering a unique take on premium electric motoring before Audi shuffled its e-tron lineup.

What's New for 2022?

For its final curtain call in 2022, the Audi e-tron Sportback S didn't see a massive shake-up, as Audi was already prepping the Q8 e-tron evolution. This meant the S trim largely carried over its impressive triple-motor setup and distinctive styling that set it apart. Buyers in its last year of production got a well-honed machine, benefiting from any rolling software updates and refined packages Audi had implemented throughout its lifecycle. Essentially, it was the S model at its most mature, just before the e-tron family got its big rebrand and tech refresh.

Design & Exterior

The e-tron Sportback S is a real looker, innit? It takes the already swoopy SUV-coupe silhouette and dials up the aggression for the S badge. Think wider wheel arches, beefier bumpers, and usually some tasty S-specific alloy wheels. Those optional digital matrix LED headlights are pure theatre too! It’s a big car, stretching 4902 mm long, 1976 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and standing 1615 mm tall, giving it proper road presence. This isn't just an EV; it’s a statement piece, blending elegance with a hint of menace, especially with its signature sloping roofline.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Slip inside the e-tron Sportback S, and you're greeted with typical Audi plushness, but with a sporty twist. Expect S-branded sports seats, possibly some fancy carbon fibre bits, and that solid, premium feel. The dual-screen MMI touch response system handles infotainment, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, fronted by the brilliant Virtual Cockpit. Passengers get decent space, and boot-wise, you're looking at a useful 615 litres, expanding to a massive 1594 litres with seats down, plus a handy 60-litre frunk for your charge cables. It’s properly high-tech and comfy in here.

Performance & Driving Experience

This is where the 'S' really earns its stripes! With three electric motors – one Induction Motor (IM) up front and two IMs at the rear – it kicks out a mighty 370 kW and a stonking 973 Nm of torque. Nought to 100 km/h? A blistering 4.5 seconds, pinning you to your seat thanks to its clever all-wheel-drive system. It’s not just quick in a straight line; the S usually gets tweaked adaptive air suspension for a blend of sharp handling and cruising comfort. Regenerative braking is slick, helping you claw back some range.

Range, Battery & Charging

Juice-wise, the e-tron Sportback S packs an 86.5 kWh usable battery, giving a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of around 320 km, with an efficiency of 3.7 km/kWh. At home on its standard 11 kW AC charger (a 22 kW unit was optional), expect a full top-up overnight. Find a DC fast charger, and it’ll gulp down power at up to 155 kW via its CCS Type 2 port, zapping from a low state to 80% in roughly 30 minutes. That means less waiting and more whizzing about in your sporty electric beast.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is top-notch, as you’d expect from Audi, with the e-tron platform bagging a full 5-star Euro NCAP rating. The Sportback S comes loaded with kit, including Audi Pre sense systems as standard. For the full suite of whizz-bang driver aids like adaptive cruise assist that steers, accelerates, and brakes for you in traffic, and advanced lane-keeping, you'd likely be looking at optional packages or ensuring they were specced from new. Blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera are also typical high-end Audi fare, often available to keep you scuff-free.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When new, the Audi e-tron Sportback S came with a standard Audi warranty, typically 2 years with unlimited kilometres in Europe, often extendable. Crucially, that big battery is covered for 8 years or 160,000 km against excessive degradation, usually promising at least 70% capacity. Maintenance on EVs is generally lower than petrol cars – no oil changes here! However, being a complex, high-performance Audi, specialist servicing is key. Reliability has been generally good for the e-tron platform, but check the service history on a used example, as always.