Audi e-tron S

Overview

The 2022 Audi e-tron S was a beast of an electric SUV, turning heads before its discontinuation that year. This high-performance variant packed three electric motors for some serious quattro punch and electrifying grip. Aimed squarely at premium buyers wanting pace with practicality, it was Audi’s flagship EV bruiser. While new ones are off the menu, you can snag a used model in Europe for around €41,590. It’s a compelling package for those after a rapid, refined, and tech-laden family hauler with an Audi badge, even if its production run from 2020 to 2022 was relatively short.

What's New for 2022?

As the e-tron S was in its final production year for the 2022 model, it largely carried over its impressive spec from 2021. Think of it as a victory lap! While the broader e-tron line saw minor software tweaks and potential equipment shuffles leading up to the Q8 e-tron rebrand, the S trim already boasted a top-tier feature set. So, for 2022, it was less about "new" and more about enjoying the already established tri-motor performance and luxury that defined this potent electric SUV in the European market before it bowed out.

Design & Exterior

The Audi e-tron S looks meaner than its standard siblings, and rightly so! It flexes wider wheel arches, chunkier bumpers, and signature silver detailing, giving it serious road presence. Measuring 4902 mm long, 1976 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1629 mm tall, it's a substantial machine. Optional Digital Matrix LED headlights could do a fancy light dance, while big alloy wheels (up to 22-inch!) filled those beefed-up arches perfectly. It’s a proper Q-car – subtle aggression with a premium finish, hinting at the power lurking beneath that sculpted bonnet.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the e-tron S, and it’s typical Audi class: impeccable build quality, plush materials, and a futuristic vibe. S-badged sport seats hug you tight, and there's ample room for five. Tech-wise, you get the slick Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus and twin MMI touchscreens for infotainment, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For your stuff, there’s a generous 660-litre boot, expanding to a massive 1655 litres with seats down. Plus, a handy 50-litre frunk is perfect for stashing charging cables. It’s a luxurious and practical command centre.

Performance & Driving Experience

Hold on tight! The e-tron S rockets from 0-100 km/h in a blistering 4.5 seconds, thanks to its three-motor setup – one AC induction motor up front, two AC induction motors at the rear – unleashing a mighty 370 kW and a colossal 973 Nm of torque. This all-wheel-drive system offers incredible traction and even electric torque vectoring for super-agile cornering. Standard adaptive air suspension ensures it’s comfy when cruising but sharp when you’re hooning. The brakes are strong, with effective regenerative braking modes to claw back some precious range.

Range, Battery & Charging

The e-tron S packs an 86.5 kWh usable battery (95 kWh nominal), giving a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of around 315 km, with an efficiency of 3.64 km/kWh. For charging, it sports a CCS Type 2 port. At home, the standard 11 kW AC on-board charger will fill it up in roughly 8-9 hours, while an optional 22 kW unit can halve that. On the go, its 400V architecture supports DC fast charging up to 155 kW, zapping the battery from 5-80% in about 30 minutes – just enough time for a coffee!

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is top-notch, with the Audi e-tron range scoring a full five stars from Euro NCAP. The S trim came well-equipped, typically including Audi Pre sense front and lane departure warning as standard. Buyers could enhance this with optional packages like the Tour pack, adding adaptive cruise assist and efficiency assist, or the City pack with features like intersection assist and cross-traffic assist rear. So, while it’s seriously quick, it’s also designed to keep you and yours well-protected on European roads with plenty of clever tech.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

In Europe, Audi typically backed the e-tron S with a 2-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty for the battery pack, often guaranteeing at least 70% capacity retention. Maintenance intervals are generally every 2 years or 30,000 km, whichever comes first, focusing on system checks rather than extensive traditional servicing due to the EV powertrain. As a premium product, reliability expectations were high. If buying used, always ensure a full service history is present to confirm proper upkeep.