It’s sexy, and you know it WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

Audi has given its e-tron a dynamic makeover in the form of the e-tron Sportback. But is it any good?

Audi has a knack for filling a niche. If you take a look at its current line-up, you won’t see all that many gaps in between the models – and to ensure that remains the case with the e-tron, it has introduced this: the e-tron Sportback. Essentially a sleeker and more dynamicallystyled version of Audi’s new fully electric SUV, the Sportback aims to broaden the appeal of the e-tron, by giving buyers a slightly more coupe-like option.

WHAT’S NEW?

The big change here is the styling, which brings a more raked roofline to the still-quites leek-looking e-tron. But of course, there’s a very impressive electric powertrain pushing the whole affair onwards as well as a whole host of technological innovations which combine to make the car feel exceptionally cutting-edge. According to Audi, the Sportback offers a slightly ‘bolder’ take on the regular e-tron’s design, which is why it’s been formed to look as striking as possible from every angle.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Get behind the wheel of the e-tron Sportback and, initially at least, you could be sat in any other Audi SUV. Waft away and the electric powertrain is impressively silent, with little whine from the motors nor wind or tyre noise. The performance, as we’ve come to expect from EVs, is immediate and sharp, with full bursts of acceleration delivering genuinely impressive pace for such a large car.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

Sleek, dynamic and imposing, the e-tron Sportback sure is a car which likes to make an entrance. Even our test car, in a relatively subdued shade of silver, turned heads wherever it went. However, it doesn’t look so out-there that those who like their EVs a little more understated will be put off. Certainly, you can see the linkage between the e-tron and the rest of the Audi lineup of SUVs through its large grille and relatively square proportions. The the new digital LED matrix headlights up front give it a particularly striking ‘face’ when the sun sets.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

Our test car came in Vorsprung specification, which is a trim level at the very top of those available with the e-tron Sportback. As a result, it was kitted out with all manner of bells and whistles – while a host of optional extras boosted the car’s price up by nearly £10,000. The two-screen setup for the infotainment system – which is the same as that seen in cars like the A6 and A7 – is intuitive and responsive. Our test car also came with clever virtual door mirrors – a £1,250 option – which replaces the traditional door mirrors in favour of cameras which then send a picture to small screens on either side of the cabin.

THE VERDICT

The e-tron Sportback might be the latest example of Audi’s niche-filling abilities, but it’s certainly an admirable and accomplished one. Of course, its basis on the standard – and very good – e-tron means that it has a great place from which to start, while the powertrain, technology and general fit-andfinish all feel well rounded, just as you’d expect from an Audi product.

The launch-spec e-tron models come in 55 quattro flavour which is, essentially, the most powerful version. There is an even more focused ‘S’ version set to arrive later, but this is definitely seen as a separate entity. For now, this 55 model uses a twin motor setup – one on each axle – which when combined with a 96kWh battery pack, produce 402bhp and an impressive 664Nm of torque. All-wheel-drive, it’s capable of reaching 60mph from a dead stop in under 6.5 seconds, while an extra ‘boost’ mode – selectable by putting the gear selector in ‘S’ – shaves a second off that time. Audi claims a total combined range of 241 miles, while thanks to 150kW charging capacity, an 80 per cent top-up can be achieved in around half an hour. Fully replenishing a completely dead battery via a home wallbox takes around 14 hours.